Orthospinology Facts
Facts About Orthospinology
Orthospinology is a natural health care system that creates more optimum body function by restoring body balance. A specialty within the Chiropractic field, the Orthospinology procedure is a painless spinal correction, which restores body balance and reactivates the body's natural healing ability.
Orthospinology - An Explanation
Orthospinology is a system of adjusting subluxations of the cervical spine by means of its uppermost vertebra. The Orthospinology Program was developed with specificity in mind. An Orthospinology Doctor of Chiropractic uses special X-ray views to determine the extent and direction of spinal misalignment. Information from the X-rays determines how the Doctor will adjust the spinal segment.
The actual adjustment is performed by an Orthospinology Percussion Adjusting Instrument. The instrument works by percussion—a sound wave—and the bone is gently restored to its normal position.
Orthospinologist
The Orthospinologist is a doctor in the field of Chiropractic, with training in the structure, function and bio-mechanics of the upper cervical spine. The structural balance of the human body is maintained by the precise interaction of the muscles which, under control of the nervous system, permit the skeletal framework to move and flex in a relatively unrestricted manner. Much of that complicated system of nerves is housed and protected by the spinal vertebrae. Ironically, these same spinal vertebrae are often the underlying cause of pain, loss of mobility and sensation when they are moved, by a variety of causes, out of proper alignment. This condition is referred to as subluxation. Since the human body is called upon to function largely in an upright position, its spinal column must be able to support its ever shifting weight as the body walks, runs, lifts and bends.
The normal curve of the spine is admirably suited to the task of comfortably keeping the body's center of gravity properly positioned over its supporting legs. When the spine is curved abnormally because the spinal vertebras have slipped out of proper alignment, even by the smallest degree, profound consequences occur which may, if left untreated, affect the health of the entire body. This is especially true when misalignment occurs in the neck (cervical spine).
Chiropractors specialize in providing optimum potential and improved function of the nervous system by way of the spine. Many times, correcting vertebral subluxations result in dramatic improvements in the health of other parts of the body, not generally thought of as being associated with the spine.
Regardless of the cause, when the critical alignment of the spinal column is disturbed, nature tries immediately to repair and heal the damage. The Chiropractor's specialized training uniquely equips the doctor to aid and speed up that healing process with advanced methods which—like nature's own—are safe, effective and generally painless.
The Key to Renewed Health
If the spinal vertebrae are misaligned in such a way as to bring pressure and irritation to the nerves which travel through their openings, a condition exists which is referred to as subluxation.
Since these nerves serve all parts of the body, providing a vital pathway to and from the brain, any subluxation that hinders or disrupts their function endangers the well-being of the entire body. These subluxations may be of an acute nature, causing sudden painful symptoms or the chronic type, which may result in long-term, painful degeneration and resulting impairment. Actually though, subluxations don't cause symptoms—they cause decreased function of the nervous system, which by itself will ultimately lead to symptoms.
Subluxations are often deceiving since the symptoms may appear at a point in the body far from the cause. Simple treatment of the symptom alone is generally fruitless. The longer the cause of the problem is allowed to exist, the longer and more difficult it is to correct. Care must be based on the doctor's findings, not on symptoms alone, therefore it is important to follow your Chiropractor's recommendations.
In correcting subluxations, the Chiropractor employs a number of proven, effective techniques. To detect and locate the problem area, the Chiropractor may employ a chiropractic spinal examination and X-rays. When the area of misalignment has been precisely located, the doctor expertly guides the misaligned vertebrae back toward its proper position.
Once the source of subluxation has been relieved and the pressure/interference on the nerves eliminated, the body generally responds quickly and returns to normal, maximum health.
Restoring the body's healthful functions through expertly applied, painless adjustments to the spine, has for years, been the philosophy and method of care of the Orthospinologist.
Causes of Misalignment
The causes of spinal misalignment are many and varied. Some are more obvious than others, such as those caused by accidental injury to the spine. Trauma of this nature demands immediate attention because of the pain and immobility that generally accompanies it. Other causes can be far less visible. They tend to happen slowly, and since the onset of symptoms is equally slow, we adapt to the discomfort or even learn to ignore it until its effects become so painful or disabling that we are driven to find relief.
Poor posture, bad sleeping habits, or improper lifting and carrying of heavy loads are only a few of the many causes of spinal misalignment. The causes may vary but the results are substantially the same: gradual displacement of the cervical vertebrae and the resulting dysfunction of the spine, and ultimately, the entire body. It is here that the Chiropractic Doctor applies his special training and skills; not simply in relieving the painful symptoms, but searching out and removing the underlying causes of the problem. The process of bringing the spinal structure back to its normal condition often requires the retraining of those muscles and ligaments which have become weakened and stretched through long periods of misuse. This retraining process begins with the first adjustment, but generally requires a series of carefully planned treatments to fully achieve permanent correction.
Cervical Distress
When head tilt develops and the body becomes imbalanced, the brain stem is compressed, restricting the flow of health and healing messages from the brain to that part of the body serviced by these compressed nerves.
This can cause pain and suffering and decrease the quality of your life.
Misalignment of the bone structure of your head and neck irritates the nervous system causing muscular tension which translates into pain and suffering.
When the body is balanced, there is no stress or tension on the brain stem. This allows the health and healing messages that travel back and forth from the brain to the body to flow uninterrupted.
A balanced body will maintain health at its optimum level.