Chiropractic is a health care discipline that emphasizes diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mechanical disorders of the musculoskeletal system, especially the spine. The spinal disorders affect general health via the nervous system. The main treatment involves manual therapy including manipulation of the spine, other joints, and soft tissue; treatment also includes exercises and health and lifestyle counseling.
What the Chiropractor Does
Dr. Simon locates and removes one of the most severe forms of interference
known to healthy body function - a condition that puts pressure on
the nerves and related structures, unbalances our body, generates fatigue,
lowers our resistance to disease, and weakens the body in general -
in short, affects all the elements of our natural healing ability.
This condition is known as vertebral subluxations
or spinal nerve stress.
Chiropractors are medical and holistic professionals who diagnose and treat disorders of the musculoskeletal and nervous systems. They use traditional diagnostic testing methods (such as x-rays, MRI, and lab work) along with specific chiropractic techniques that involve hands-on manipulation of the joints of the body. Dr. Simon also offers nutrition and healthy lifestyle counseling to further his patient ’s health and well-being.
Chiropractors believe one of the main causes of pain and disease is the misalignment of the vertebrae in the spinal column (this is called a vertebral subluxation). Through the use of manual detection (or palpation), carefully applied pressure, massage, and manual manipulation of the vertebrae and joints (called adjustments), chiropractors are able to relieve pressure and irritation on the nerves, restore joint mobility, and help return the body's homeostasis.
The First Chiropractic Patient
Many aspects of chiropractic were a natural part of health care as
practiced by many civilizations for thousands of years, but they had
been largely forgotten by the time D. D. Palmer performed the first “modern” chiropractic
spinal adjustment on his deaf janitor, Harvey Lillard, in Davenport,
Iowa, in the year 1895. As he watched Lillard's hearing return, Palmer
thought at first that he had discovered a cure for deafness. But as
patients with the flu, sciatica, stomach ailments, menstrual troubles,
migraine headaches, epilepsy, heart problems, and many other conditions responded to his new "hand
treatments" (as he first called them), Palmer came to realize
that he had discovered something more far-reaching indeed. But what?
Palmer wasn't giving his patients pills nor drugs, he wasn't performing
surgery and yet people were getting over a wide variety of conditions
that were seemingly unrelated.
Fevers broke, infections and pain disappeared, hearing returned, vision improved, digestive disorders cleared up. Why? Palmer immersed himself once again in studies of anatomy and physiology and in the course of his research began to understand that what his "hand treatments" were doing was to realign vertebral subluxations (discussed below) and release nerve pressure.
As he later wrote, this practice was not new: "I am not the first person to replace subluxated vertebrae, for this art has been practiced for thousands of years. I do claim, however, to be the first to replace displaced vertebrae by using the spinous and transverse process as levers in the U.S. "
The Vertebral Subluxation
Vertebral subluxations (or spinal nerve stress) are structural misalignments
in the spine that create imbalance and put pressure on the nervous
system. A vertebral subluxation interferes with and unbalances the
flow of energy and information throughout the body, creating "disease" (a
term used to denote the loss of body harmony). The saddest thing about
this condition is that, although it is usually painless, it can damage
us to the point where, unaware of the cause, we watch our life, health,
and well being silently and slowly fade.
How Do We Get Vertebral Subluxations?
Vertebral subluxations have many causes. Some but not all, may occur
as early as infancy as a result of a difficult birth, the use of forceps,
or questionable obstetrical procedures. Childhood falls and injuries
take their toll on our spinal columns; emotional stress gradually weakens
our spines throughout our lives.
The Chiropractic Adjustment
A chiropractic adjustment is a manual manipulation of the spinal
bones. Chiropractors call this an adjustment because the procedure
corrects the positioning and alignment of the vertebrae. Proper vertebral
alignment is very important to a patient’s general health according
to chiropractic theory.
Using a number of tools, Dr. Simon analyzes the body for vertebral subluxations and corrects or removes any that he finds, using various spinal adjustment techniques. Among the many tools that he may use in order to determine the presence and whereabouts of subluxations are the X-ray; neurocalographic studies (the analysis of body temperature patterns); posture analysis; muscle testing (applied kinesiology); and muscle and motion analysis.
In correcting subluxations Dr. Simon usually uses his hands but may avail himself as well of a variety of spinal adjustment instruments. There are at least forty different spinal analysis and adjusting techniques designed to locate and correct vertebral subluxations. He has spent years of study to master the various techniques of spinal analysis and adjustment and will use them according to what your care entails.
Still have a question? Contact us today!
Phone: 650.877.0999 / Fax: 650.877.0960
E-mail: info@worldwidechiro.com
Dr. Simon and staff at Worldwide Chiropractic help many patients with chiropractic care, clinical nutrition, massage therapy, acupuncture and weight loss programs in San Bruno, South San Francisco, Daly City, Millbrae, Burlingame, Hillsborough, San Mateo, Foster City and more. If you have experienced sports injury or personal injury, we can help. If you are pregnant or are looking to promote a healthy lifestyle for your children, we offer prenatal and pediatric chiropractic care as well.