A chiropractic practitioner is a health care professional whose purpose is to diagnose and treat mechanical disorders of the spine and musculoskeletal system with the intention of affecting the nervous system and improving health. It is founded on the assertion that a spinal joint dysfunction can affect the nervous system and result in many different conditions of diminished health. Although it is a sort of alternative health treatment, it should not be confused with Tai Chi, Acupuncture or any other Oriental health care treatment. Chiropractic is thought to be invented in Dr. D. D. Palmer and is now practiced in many countries today.
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On a similar line, osteopathy was founded by Andrew Taylor Still in reaction to what he perceived as inadequate medical treatment of his day. Specifically, he believed that medications tended to be over prescribed and that such medications were often toxic in nature.
He intended his new system of medicine to be a reformation of the existing 19th century medical practices.
He invented the name "osteopathy" by blending two Greek roots osteon- for bone and -pathos for suffering in order to communicate his theory that disease and physiologic dysfunction were etiologically grounded in a disordered musculoskeletal system. Thus, by diagnosing and treating the musculoskeletal system, he believed that physicians could treat a variety of diseases and spare patients the negative side-effects of drugs.
Osteopaths consider that the body is a unity of mind, physical body and spirit. They claim to take into account both internal and external problems of the body-present and past; the vitality of the person and their ability to heal. Osteopaths claim to help reduce pain associated with wear and tear in the joints.
Increased weight, poor posture, or misalignment of the spine or lower extremities increase the load on joints, which encourages degeneration. Keeping joints mobile is claimed to help to drain toxins away and encourages beneficial nutrients to the joints.
Incorrect sustained posture is thought to lead to muscular tightness, joint restrictions and even internal problems. Osteopaths claim to identify and Osteopathie Muenchen help correct faulty posture caused from work or general adaptations. Postural correction may sometimes necessitate a shoe lift called an orthotic device or orthosis. Sciatica is caused by an irritation of the. Osteopaths claim to determine where the nerve is being irritated and to help relieve the pressure on the nerve and thereby relieving the irritation and symptoms.
Chiropractic care is claimed to be a helpful and safe form of health care to treat pain due to spinal related conditions. Chiropractic is thought to be effective because many causes of spinal disorders are related to abnormalities of the spine and the surrounding soft tissue structures. Doctors of chiropractic are supposed to be trained to identify and treat subluxations (misalignments of the vertebrae) and their subsequent effect on the central nervous system.
Chiropractic care has been thought to increase not only the range of motion of the spine but also in the extremities. For some, an increased range of motion means being able to bend down to pick up their grandchildren. For others, it means they can garden without pain. In some cases, an increase in range of motion may follow chiropractic adjustments.
While we do not recommend chiropractic nor osteopathic treatments as options for patients, some patients are still keen despite the risks associated with such treatments.
If you are considering treatment by a chiropractor or osteopath, below are some resources that may be helpful for you to make an informed choice of the potential risks and benefits involved.
The skeletal system is one of the most important systems in the body. Without bones, your body will not have any structure. You will not appear as a human being if you do not have a framework. Your vital organs such as your heart, lungs and brain will not be protected if you do not have your ribs and skull. More importantly, you will not be able to move if you do not have your bones.
However, bones alone will not guarantee movement. Joints are necessary in order to for movement to be possible. You should be very careful with your joints though. There are many parts of your body which can be dislocated. This may happen because of overusing these parts. In some cases, such problem happens because of trauma or sudden impact. Below are some of the most common areas in your body which can suffer from dislocation.
Shoulders - According to studies, most patients who suffer from joint dislocations are patients who have dislocated shoulders. The reason for this is probably because the shoulders are frequently used. When you are walking, your shoulder joints move when your hands swing back and forth. You also use these joints when you are holding things. The upper body makes various movements so this part of the body often experiences dislocations.
Knees - Many athletes suffer from knee dislocation because their lower bodies are most at work. This is especially true for people who are running on marathons or playing sports such as basketball, tennis and volleyball. Other activities such as jumping and sprinting can also injure your knees. Experts advise that before you do any physical activity, you should undergo proper warm-up first.
Elbows - Conditions such as nursemaid's elbow and tennis elbow are brought about by joint problems and dislocations. This is very true for people who play racquet games excessively such as badminton and tennis. It may also happen to children if their elbows are suddenly pulled hard by adults. Certain accidents such as car accidents and falls may also result to the dislocation of this part of the body.
Fingers - Finger dislocations are not very common but they are possible to happen. The most common cause is excessive use of the fingers and the joints thereof. For instance, people who love typing may experience this problem especially if they do their work non-stop. In whatever you are doing, it is best if you rest certain parts of your body in order to avoid aggravating any pain and joint problems.
The recovery period for joint dislocations usually depends on the part that has been affected. In many cases, injuries on major joints such as knees and shoulders may take longer time to recover than the dislocations on the fingers. Proper care and assistance are very important for every person who has this condition. As soon as you notice swelling and bruising, as well extreme pain, you should immediately have yourself treated by a professional. This way, the injury will worsen and the recovery will be faster.