Chiropractic is a health care approach that emphasizes the spine and nervous system. Derived from the Greek words “cheir” and “practos” meaning done by hand, it appropriately describes this practice of health restoration without the use of drugs or surgery. The chiropractor's hands are artfully used to assess spinal imbalances that impede the nurturing energy flow of the nervous system.

Until you've received a spinal adjustment, it is a mysterious or unconventional fascination. Every time I have the opportunity to watch a colleague adjust someone's spine it is like watching poetry come to life. From a chiropractor's perspective, adjusting the spine is more than a clinical study. It provides the foundation for an active, vibrant life.

In grade school, students learn about the body systems. Each system has its unique bodily functions. I didn't appreciate the sophisticated coordination among the systems until I became interested in the mind and body connection, also known as psychoneuroimmunology. Once in chiropractic college these elementary systems converged to a masterpiece described as the spinal system consisting of the musculo-skeletal, nervous, immune and endocrine systems.

The spinal system is the “communication station” of the body. Spinal bones need to move freely, nerves need to transmit impulses, and the brain needs to appropriately respond to the needs of the body. In a perfect world without stress, this communication station works without fail. In the real world, physical stress, chemical stress and emotional stress bombards the spinal system and disrupt its elaborate function.

Stress affects the entire body, but in the spine, the stress response is amplified. Physical stress from injuries, falls, distorted posture and poorly conditioned muscles are followed by muscle spasm, scar tissue and uneven forces leading to bone deterioration and calcification. Chemical stress, such as poor nutrition, weakens the nervous system by not providing the adequate building blocks for new tissues during healing. Emotional stress sets off the fight or flight response with and an overactive cortisol response. This leads to depression, behavioral, sleep and memory problems. The real threat comes from the brain and spinal cord because they have the ability to memorize stress induced patterns. The same process that allows you to remember how to ride a bike also creates damaging reactions in the body. However, they are only responding to the signals received from a weakened spine. If the damage has not had a chance to become permanent, a chiropractic adjustment to the spine begins the opportunity to heal.

Chiropractic's “practice of the hands” releases tension from the spine so the body's systems can resume a more balanced state. Healing has a better chance when the spine is unencumbered. Chiropractic, however, does more than assist the healing response. For the many patients who have discovered the fresh start chiropractic provides, it becomes an important tool for a fulfilling life.

Chiropractors attend to the spine because it helps people achieve their goals. There must be a state of balance in the body's communication system so the rest of the body with the mind can have balance, also. The physical and mental demands of life become more manageable with the assistance of chiropractic. From sport to spirit, think of your spine.

Lisa Ann Homic, M.Ed. D.C., may be contacted at www.DrHomic.com