Spine and Muscle The human spine is comprised of 33 individual bony units, or vertebrae, stacked on top of each other. The vertebrae are separated by a lubricated disc of gel-like fluid between each joint and cartilage which act as shock absorbers. Within each vertebra are numerous nerve fibers that send information in the form of electrical impulses between the different organs, limbs and the brain. There are countless things that can occur or go wrong with all these parts in motion. The muscles that sustain the spine can become injured or sore due to strain, the ligaments that join the muscle to the bone can become torn or worn causing and the vertebrae joints to begin to wear away.  Contact your local chiropractor about your spine and muscle pain and start a course of treatment. Given the range of possibilities of things that can cause injuries to the spine, it is no wonder why so many people receive chiropractic treatment for help and relief of muscular-skeletal aches and pains. Chiropractic care is an efficient and safe way to go if you are in need of help for your sore muscles and problems stemming from skeletal misalignment. In the U.S, Chiropractic care has been in practice for over 100 years. Success in treatments has been documented in early Chinese civilizations that have included this form of treatment of “manipulation” for thousands of years.  Adjunctive Therapeutic Procedures Provided By Chiropractors Include: Cold Packs Ultrasound Electrical Muscle Stimulation Various Therapies including Aquatic Options Developmental Postures and Reflex Therapy Mechanical Lumbar Traction Chiropractors are licensed professionals and many are accredited from chiropractic universities across the country. The importance of the role of chiropractic treatments in medicine is well established within our health care system and health care professionals. The care services and benefits that are provided by chiropractors to patients who experience muscular-skeletal and neuromuscular conditions are immeasurable. It is imperative for chiropractors to assist in improving and maintaining the quality and integrity of the biomechanical system of the body. Some Basic Concepts of Chiropractic include: The body has powerful and natural self-healing abilities. The relationship between the body structure extending from the spine and function and interaction can have a direct affect on health. The goal of chiropractic therapy is to assist in normalizing the relationship between the function and structure therefore helping the body heal it self. Some Things You Should Expect From a Chiropractor: Chiropractors obtain a detailed and complete history of the patient’s health and discuss their individual issues and overall health and lifestyle. Questions concerning your dietary habits, prior treatments, family history, daily job activities and any other comprehensive health related information. A complete health examination is necessary to determine your overall condition. The examination may include blood pressure measurements, laboratory analysis, X-Rays and/or other tests that may be needed to pinpoint your condition. As well as, a thorough examination of the spine must be performed in order to detect if there are any structural abnormalities. Chiropractors may determine a relationship between a fall or bump that happened years ago and the present health issues concerning a patient. Treatment typically involves corrective spinal adjustments. Chiropractic diagnosis and treatment is geared towards improving the function and interaction of the neuromusculoskeletal system of the body to help reduce pain and discomfort. A complete physical examination will be provided by your chiropractor and he/she may also recommend procedures such as clinical laboratory services and radiological X-rays as part of the complete diagnosis. The focus of these specific treatment techniques is to allow chiropractors to manipulate, adjust and mobilize the joints and tissues of the spine and extremities for the ultimate recovery of the patient. Contact your local chiropractor about your spine and muscle pain and start a course of treatment. Updated:MH