Oftentimes we post about or refer to The Chiropractic Approach. But, what exactly does that entail? We're going to take a deep dive into each of the six tenets of The Chiropractic Approach to provide a greater insight for our patient community. Get ready to SAVE and SHARE this information!

The first tenet of The Chiropractic Approach is Manual Therapy. The goal of Manual Therapy is the restoration of musculoskeletal function and symmetry by way of tension reduction and joint mobilization. Common techniques include massage, pressure point work, and stretches/exercises like yoga and resistance band routines.

The second tenet of The Chiropractic Approach is the best known one, Spinal Adjustments. With the spine serving as the foundation of the skeleton and the nervous system, specific chiropractic manipulations reduce pain, improve range of motion, and restore function by realigning vertebrae and relieving tension on nerves. Chiropractors remove interference to healing so the body can heal itself.

The third tenet of The Chiropractic Approach is entirely removed from manual manipulations and adjustments: it's DIET. It is absolutely essential for the body, especially in fighting inflammation and promoting healing, to maintain a specific diet. Limiting carbs, sugar, red meats, and fried foods is paramount; maintaining proper hydration (think an ounce of water per pound in body weight/day) is key. It's a cliche but it's so true: your body is a machine, and only proper fuel will make it run optimally.

The fourth tenet of The Chiropractic Approach is WEIGHT LOSS (Maintaining a Healthy Body Mass Index). The hallmark of obesity and a poor diet is chronic inflammation. Many physicians and medical scientists believe that inflammation is the root cause of most of our modern diseases, including cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and osteoporosis. Not to mention, every excess 10 pounds of body weight can mean as much as 40 pounds of extra pressure on the knees. That combination of inflammation and pressure leads to a vicious cycle of pain and inactivity, throwing the body even more out of symmetry and causing more weight gain. In the same breath, a healthy diet (the third tenet) and regular exercise can actually REVERSE inflammation and pressure, allowing the body to HEAL ITSELF!

In keeping with chiropractic's whole body approach to health and wellness, the fifth tenet of The Chiropractic Approach is SLEEP. Sleep is integral to the body and mind's healing and recovery processes. Reductions in brain and immune system function, along with increases in inflammation, are on the table when sleep is improper or interrupted. It's no surprise, then, that insomnia is highly prevalent among people with chronic pain. To get started on a path toward proper sleep, you can take a few easy steps: ensure 7 or more hours per night, keep a consistent schedule of bed and wake up times, and limit screen time before bed.

The sixth and final tenet of The Chiropractic Approach is Drug-Free Pain Management. The thing about pain is, it doesn't care if it's after hours or right before your next appointment. Especially if you are losing sleep, it is vital to turn to drug-free means to combat pain and inflammation. Fortunately, there are many effective natural means to do this. Some examples include: applying ice (remember, 15 minutes on, 1 hour off), topical applications like BioFreeze, dietary supplements (fish oil, turmeric, MSM, chondroitin sulfate), eating fresh fruit and veggies, and cutting out pro-inflammatory foods (no more bread, pasta, and sugar). These are some of your safest bets to nursing even the worst pain without drugs until you can next be in the office. Our doctors are always happy to discuss these options, many of which we have available for purchase.