Chiropractic Healthcare in St. Paul, MN

What is Chiropractic and how can it help? Dr. Carron Perry and Dr. Candace Salmi, your St. Paul Chiropractors, explain...

Chiropractic is a health care profession that focuses on disorders of the musculoskeletal and nervous system, and the effects of these disorders on general health. Chiropractors most often treat neuromusculoskeletal issues, including but not limited to back pain, neck pain, pain in the joints of the arms or legs, and headaches.

How does chiropractic help St. Paul residents? The body is a self-healing and self-regulating organism:

• The nerve system controls and coordinates all of the functions in the body.
• Any interference with the nerve system inhibits the body's ability to regulate and heal itself.
• Interference to the nerve system is most commonly cause by misalignment of the bones of the spine called "subluxations." "
• Subluxations" are most often caused by slips and falls, car accidents, stress, poor posture, poor sleep habits, sports impacts, birth process, etc.
• Maintaining a healthy and well-aligned spine enhances the body's ability to get well and stay well.

The most common therapeutic procedure performed by doctors of chiropractic 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 hypo mobile - 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. Manipulation, or adjustment of the affected joint and tissues, restores mobility, thereby alleviating pain and muscle tightness, and allowing tissues to heal.

Doctors of chiropractic may assess patients through clinical examination, laboratory testing, diagnostic imaging and other diagnostic interventions to determine when chiropractic treatment is appropriate. Chiropractors 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.

Safey is Important!
Many St. Paul patients often wonder if they should crack their own back. This question is often posed to chiropractors and concern has been raised over its safety. While people might have the right idea by trying to relieve pressure on the joints, the "cracking" or "popping" of one's back or neck is not the same as a chiropractic adjustment. The problem usually keeps coming back, which should be a clear indication that there has been no real adjustment. The cause of the spinal tension, the fixated or jammed vertebrae, has not been corrected. Even a chiropractor cannot adjust him/herself. You should not try to do it yourself, either.

The “cracking” sound during an adjustment.
The sound is no reason to be concerned. The sound is not coming from the bones themselves. It's coming from a lubricant called synovial fluid that's found in every joint. That fluid contains dissolved gases. During the adjustment the joints are slightly separated to move into proper position. This releases the built-up pressure on the fluid and gases and creates a “pop” similar to the release of pressure when the cork comes off a bottle of Champagne. Not all patients "pop" and not all adjusting techniques produce the noise, which means an adjustment can be proper and effective, even if you do not hear any noise.

Should chiropractic care continue even after I feel fine?
Chiropractors are trained to detect problem areas in your spine before they develop into problem conditions or symptoms. Just because symptoms disappear, does not mean your subluxations are corrected. Regular adjustments help to maintain or support a healthy spine and nervous system. Maintenance or wellness spinal care programs, which may include advice on posture, nutrition and exercise, can effectively prevent pain. However, how you choose to use chiropractic care is ultimately up to you. If your spine wears out, there is no solution. Because your spine directly influences the function of your nervous system, spinal decay permanently damages the nerves and spinal cord. Nearly everyone flosses and brushes their teeth even though their teeth don't hurt. Spinal adjustments are like flossing the spine. Lifetime care of the spine should be a priority for everyone in St. Paul!

Find Out More
Contact us to learn more about how Chiropractic may help you.