Chiropractic has been a healthcare profession since 1895. The
profession is holistic and recognizes the individual's needs through
counseling about understanding health behavior, principles of wellness,
consumer health information and literacy, advocating for health in the
community, clinical preventive services, physical activity, nutrition for
prevention and health promotion, weight management, injury prevention,
tobacco and substance use, stress management and stress related conditions,
and worksite wellness.
Chiropractic is primarily known for using a hands-on method to
increase joint range of motion in one joint segment by identification of a
joint segment that is limited in its range of motion. Chiropractic is one of
the oldest and most widely used forms of manual medicine. Manipulation
precedes the Chiropractic profession by thousands of years and is used by
other professions (Osteopathy, Physical Medicine, and Physical Therapy), but
Chiropractic has done more than any other profession to promote its use in
the treatment of neuromusculoskeletal disorders and conditions. Procedures
are usually applied to a single joint level and for specific joint motion
loss. The purpose of these procedures is to restore normal articular
relationship and function, restore neurological integrity, and influence
physiological processes. Various forms of manipulation effect different
aspects of joint function.
The emphasis is not on forcing a particular anatomical movement of a
joint, but on restoring normal joint mechanics. The effects of manipulation
can include a combination of mechanical, soft tissue, neurological, and
psychological affects. Manipulative treatment is directed at movement
restriction of joints or motion segments of the spinal column.
Benefits of Chiropractic
Portland Chiropractic Group does not guarantee the benefits of
Chiropractic care, but rather strives to achieve these goals with
Chiropractic care. Portland Chiropractic Group continually monitors
for progress, regression, and non-responsiveness to care. Bodily
pain and aberrant function are a multifactorial problem that
requires a multifactorial treatment plan. Most patients benefit in
some way, but a minority do not progress as expected, or are not a
candidate for chiropractic care. There are moments when individuals
must be referred to another specialist or facility with the right
expertise to solve their problem.
- increased range of motion, if clinically indicated
- increased neuromotor control
- decreased abnormal loads on the spine
- decreased abnormal patterns of muscle contraction
- decreased strain on passive tissues
- decreased headache, if clinically indicated
- decreased blood pressure associated with cervicogenic headache
- decreased joint inflammation biochemical markers
- decreased joint pain associated with rest
- decreased joint pain associated with movement
- decreased numbness and tingling associated with cervical and or lumbar radiculopathy
