How Chiropractic Medicine Works

The spine is comprised of 33 small bones (segments) called vertebrae. Between these segments and holding them together, are ligaments. The spine houses the spinal cord which transmits signals to the rest of the body through nerves that emerge from the spinal cord and travel throughout the body. Damage to any one of the segments of the spine will have serious and detrimental consequences, not just for the rest of the spine, but for the entire body as well.

When one or more segments of the spine sustain damage, depending upon the severity of the damage, they will begin to exert pressure on the nerves emerging from each segment. When this happens, the victim feels pain that may or may not be isolated to the neck and back. Other symptoms may appear in other parts of the body as well, depending upon the nerves that are being pinched by the displaced spinal segment or segments.

In order to alleviate the pain, a chiropractor needs to realign the spine. Chiropractic medicine is based on the belief that when the spine is not aligned, optimum health is not available to the body, and illness and pain will result.

Chiropractors use a combination of electrical muscle stimulation, massage, and spinal adjustments to realign your spine. The adjustments are always performed by the doctor themselves, and may involve a cracking or popping sound. The adjustments help the segments realign and restore the range of motion to the spinal column, reducing any nerve pressure and assisting in the healing process.

If you are experiencing neck or back pain from an automotive or sport injury or leg pain stemming from prolonged back pain, a RI chiropractor may be able to help alleviate or eliminate your pain.


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Dr. Stephen Estner is a Chiropractor in Rhode Island. For more information or to schedule an appointment please visit: http://www.DrEstner.com

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