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A Brief History Of Chiropractic The first recorded chiropractic adjustment was performed on September 18, 1895, by Dr. Daniel David Palmer, a Canadian-born teacher and healer. Dr. Palmer was, at the time, studying the cause and effect of disease. His patient was Harvey Lillard, a janitor working in the same building as Dr. Palmer in Davenport, Iowa. Mr. Lillard, who had complained of hearing problems for over 17 years, allowed Dr. Palmer to examine his spine. Dr. Palmer discovered a "lump" on Mr. Lillard's back and suspected that a vertebra might be out of place, which he then repositioned the vertebra with a gentle thrust. After several such treatments, much of Mr. Lillard's hearing was restored. Since Dr. Palmer's first chiropractic adjustment, the art and science of chiropractic has progressed significantly. Today, advanced diagnostic procedures, sophisticated equipment, scientific research, and the growing acceptance among other health care professionals makes chiropractic a popular health care choice. Chiropractic Philosophy The chiropractic perspective on health and disease emphasizes two fundamental concepts: 1) the structure and condition of the body influences how the body functions and its ability to heal itself; and 2) the mind-body relationship is instrumental in maintaining health and in the healing processes. Although chiropractic shares much with other health professions, its emphasis and application of philosophy distinguishes it from modern medicine. Chiropractic philosophy gravitates toward a holistic ("total person") approach to healing which combines elements of the mind, body and spirit and maintains that health depends on obedience to natural laws, and that deviation from such laws can result in illness. Widespread Use of Chiropractic Care The increasing interest in alternative forms of care has caught the attention of several health associations and government agencies. A 1993 study in the New England Journal of Medicine reported that "The estimated number of visits made in 1990 to providers of unconventional therapy was greater than the number of visits to all primary care medical nationwide," and chiropractic was among the most frequently used non-medical therapies. A followup report published in the Journal of the American Medical Association in 1998 found that the use of non-medical treatments had increased significantly since the 1990 survey, with "overall prevalence of use increased by 25%, total visits by an estimated 47%, and expenditures on services provided by practitioners of alternative therapies by an estimated 45%." Of the survey respondents, one in nine (11%) had used chiropractic care within the previous year. Healthy Tips for a Healthy Spine The following tips can help you take better care of your spine: 1) Make sure you have a firm mattress that keeps the spine aligned and supports the spine's natural curve. The best sleeping positions are on your back or side. 2) When standing for extended periods, rest one foot on a small stool to maintain spinal curvature and relieve pressure. The knees should be bent when bending forward. Low-heeled shoes may help by maintaining spinal curvatures and cushioning your weight. 3) Use chairs that promote good posture and support your back. Placing a lumbar support in the lower portion of your back may help support your spine's natural curve. Readjust the seat of your car so that your knees are level with your hips. 4) When bending forward, bend at the knees and hips, but keep your back straight. This will help to keep your spine's curvature in proper alignment. When lifting, keep your spine straight while using your legs to do most of the work. Hold the objects being lifted close to your body to keep the weight on your spine to a minimum. The ABCs of Subluxations Vertebral subluxations are displacements of the spinal bones (vertebrae) that can cause stress to your spinal cord and nervous system. Subluxations may be caused by poor sleeping habits, poor posture, strenuous exercise, injuries, auto accidents, sports, slips or falls, and in some cases, the birthing process itself. Chiropractic adjustments are very helpful in correcting subluxations and restoring optimal health. What is Network Care? Clinical Objectives, Spinal Adjustment and Entrainment Network care is a rapidly growing and evolving system assessing and contributing to spinal and neural integrity, health, and wellness. Its developer, Donald Epstein, D.C., currently describes Network care as “a clinical assessment of the spine…utilizing certain chiropractic methods and employing concepts derived from a variety of health professions and theoretical sciences.” The objective of Network care is to assess and correct two classes of vertebral subluxation—facilitated and structural—using safe, hands-on, low-force adjustments of the spine. What is a Vertebral Subluxation? It is a condition in which spinal segments (vertebrae) have lost their natural, peaceful relationship with their neighboring vertebrae and/or the spine as a whole. This causes an alteration of the tension and tone of the nerves of the spine and soft tissue connected to the spine. Because there is at least one nerve fiber to every one of our cells, this change in tension has a profound effect on our whole body. There is generally a deviation from the ideal effortless posture. Along with this mechanical change there is interference in the communication between the brain and the rest of the body. We can no longer express our full potential. What is Network Spinal Analysis? Network Clinical Objectives The benefits reported by those receiving Network Spinal Analysis (NSA) include an increased ability to recognize areas of tension and dysfunction within the spinal system, and to work cooperatively with the doctor to bring about resolution of the distortion or tension. This process contributes to healing and well-being. NSA is administered in a series of four Levels of Care, each geared at your ability to detect and resolve spinal tension and interference, and to your increased self-awareness and ability to respond to yourself. Network Care is geared at assisting you in further developing you nerve and spinal system’s self-observation capacity, and to dissipate tension you no longer need. We aim to help you to develop an increasing number of coordinated spinal movements of regions of the spine that gently rock in sync with one another, advancing your progression through care. We will help you increase your ability to develop mechanisms for spontaneous detection and self-correction of spinal tension, interference, and subluxations. My care will help you to be in better touch with your body in knowing its own story and needs. Together we will begin to integrate your awareness, movement, and breathing. This will help you to know that you truly can heal yourself. What is the Spinal Adjustment and Entrainment? During Network Care, your body will most often disburse the energy once confined to a specific area, as it reintegrates this separated part of you back into the whole. This process is initiated by the adjustment contact and is called entrainment; organized individual movements of the spine coordinated to release nerve system tension. Each adjustment will vary in force and amplitude depending on the needs of your spine in that moment. As your spine gets healthier, along with your greater awareness of its needs, your body can begin to initiate its own entrainment strategy to release tension in your nerve system, contributing to more self-generated adjustments, better health, and personal growth. Spinal Maintenance Between Adjustments AVOID THE FOLLOWING (to the best of your ability): 1. Crossing your legs 2. Lying on your stomach while sleeping 3. Sitting more than 50 minutes without walking around 4. Phone work without a head set 5. Activities that produce discomfort in the spine without checking to see if continuing the activity is appropriate 6. One-sided activities or habits (or be sure to stretch the opposite way) Ex. Phone on one side Ex. Purse on one side – get a backpack or lighten the load 7. Wallets in back pocket 8. Improper lifting 9. Wrist action in a non-neutral position 10. Head and wrists in an imbalanced working position