What is Chiropractic?

Chiropractic is a health care profession that focuses on disorders of the musculoskeletal system and the nervous system, and the effects of these disorders on general health.  Chiropractic care is  used most often to treat neuromusculoskeletal  complaints, including but not limited to back pain, neck pain, arm and leg pain and headaches.

Dr. Meyers is a chiropractic physician.  This means that he practices a drug-free, hands-on approach to health care that includes patient examination, diagnosis and treatment. Chiropractic physicians have broad diagnostic skills and are also trained to perform therapeutic and rehabilitative exercises as well as to provide nutritional, dietary and lifestyle counseling.  Dr. Meyers is an evidence based chiropractic physician, meaning that he practices and treats according to the latest research and literature studies in order to achieve the best results for the patient.

A common therapeutic procedure performed by a chiropractic physician is known as “spinal manipulation,” also called “chiropractic adjustment.”   The purpose of manipulation is to restore joint mobility by manually applying a controlled force into joints that have become hypomobile – or restricted in their movement – as a result of a tissue injury. Tissue injury can be caused by a single traumatic event, such as improper lifting of a heavy object, or through repetitive stresses, such as sitting in an awkward position with poor spinal posture for an extended period of time. In either case, injured tissues undergo physical and chemical changes that can cause inflammation, pain, and diminished function for the sufferer. Manipulation, or adjustment of the affected joint and tissues, restores mobility, thereby alleviating pain and muscle tightness, and allowing tissues to heal.

Chiropractic adjustment rarely causes discomfort. However, patients may sometimes experience mild soreness or aching following treatment (as with some forms of exercise) that usually resolves within 12 to 48 hours. 

In many cases, such as lower back pain, chiropractic care may be the primary method of treatment. When other medical conditions exist, chiropractic care may complement or support medical treatment by relieving the musculoskeletal aspects associated with the condition. 

Chiropractic physicians may assess patients through clinical examination, laboratory testing, diagnostic imaging and other diagnostic interventions to determine when chiropractic treatment is appropriate or when it is not appropriate.  Chiropractic physicians will readily refer patients to the appropriate health care provider when chiropractic care is not suitable for the patient’s condition, or the condition warrants co-management in conjunction with other members of the health care team.