CHIROPRACTIC CARE

Chiropractic is a drug-free, physiologically compatible form of health care that allows the body to heal itself by helping the nervous system to function optimally. When nerve interference is removed with gentle chiropractic adjustments, healthy cell metabolism, organ function, and mental and physical well-being are restored. According to the research, that means more energy, better movement, and a stronger immune system. More and more families are choosing chiropractic because no one is ever too young or too old to obtain a healthy nervous system for life.

At Precision Chiropractic in Birmingham Alabama, we represent the best of the old and the best of the new in corrective chiropractic care. Because we are steeped in the history and clinical excellence of the Gonstead Technique, our patients have gotten results where other medical and chiropractic systems have failed. Most patients who come to our health center have experienced multiple visits at other chiropractic offices, physical therapists and medical doctors. The goal of chiropractic care is not to temporarily relieve you of pain, but to permanently correct neurological interference.

NEUROLOGY BASED

Because chiropractic care directly addresses spinal health and the health of your nervous system, many of your body’s other systems are also affected  indirectly. Your central nervous system – your brain and spinal cord – is your body’s master system. Every other organ, tissue, and cell receives instructions on when and how to do its job from the nervous system via spinal nerves and smaller nerve branches. Simply put, when your nervous system is not functioning properly, your body as a whole will not function properly. You may have pain. You may have symptoms of specific diseases. It is important to address these symptoms. More importantly, it is critical to address possible causes that lie within the nervous system. A healthy nervous system helps ensure good health in your gastrointestinal, cardiopulmonary, endocrine systems, and other systems as well. Unlike regular chiropractic that mainly focus on immediate pain relief, Gonstead Chiropractic goes one step further to also correct the source of the problem. That’s why most patients under our care not only report relief from pain and discomfort, but as their posture begins to align, they notice other conditions clearing up as well. Under regular chiropractic care, we see success with many common conditions. 

PEDIATRIC DEVELOPMENT

The legacy we leave depends on the health of our children. Our spines and nervous systems are the number one neglected body system in healthcare. Today, more and more parents are seeking chiropractic care to promote healthy pediatric development. Any informed healthcare provider knows that many spinal problems seen in adults began as early as birth. Even many “natural” birthing methods can stress an infant’s spine and developing nerve system. The resulting irritation to the nervous system caused by spinal misalignment can be the cause of many newborn health conditions. Colic, breathing problems, nursing difficulties, sleep disturbances, allergic reactions and chronic infections can often be traced to nerve system stress. As the child begins to participate in regular childhood activities like skating or riding a bike, small yet significant spinal misalignments may occur. If neglected, the injuries during this period of rapid growth may lead to more serious problems later in life. We believe it’s better to grow healthy children than to fix injured adults.

The Chiropractic care that we provide is an effective and affordable program that addresses children’s health conditions associated with the nervous and musculoskeletal systems. Gentle, noninvasive and drug-free, chiropractic adjustments help and prevent a wide range of health problems. Recent research by the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (ICPA) found spinal manipulative therapy safe and successful in caring for children of all ages.

ACUTE CONDITIONS IN CHILDREN

Acute conditions may result from birth trauma, sports mishaps and accidental injury. Chiropractic care benefits children by correcting the spinal alignment to improve their overall health. When vertebral joints are misaligned during birth or from a blow or fall, muscle tissue and nerves may also be affected. Spinal adjustment frees joints, restores motion and relieves nerve pressure, which may be the cause of additional ailments. Parents report successful care initiatives of children’s health issues such as acute earache, upper respiratory infection, muscle pain, neck pain and accident trauma.

CHRONIC CONDITIONS IN CHILDREN

Chiropractic America reports that natural, drug-free chiropractic care is sometimes more effective than traditional medical approaches for chronic earache, scoliosis, and neck pain. Headaches and sleep disorders of nonspecific causes respond well to spinal adjustments, which affect and repair interrupted neural pathways. Asthma, allergy symptoms, and patterns of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may also be improved with chiropractic care.

PREVENTION OF AILMENTS

Periodic ongoing adjustments at a young age may help stave off the above ailments before they begin. Proper spinal alignment now may delay or prevent degenerative bone or joint disease, such as osteoporosis and osteoarthritis. In addition to maintaining children’s health, regular visits to our office will help instill the value of proactive health care in kids. They’ll be more likely to monitor and manage their health as they grow up and less likely to be afraid or in denial of any health problems. Encouraging good lifelong health habits is one of chiropractic’s best benefits for kids.

PREGNANCY

A proper functioning nervous system provides a healthy environment for easier conception without the use of fertility drugs. It is imperative that the nervous system and immune system of the eventual mother-to-be are operating at their optimal level to ensure vitality of expectant child. Our doctors also understand the special chiropractic needs of the pregnant patient and works closely with mid-wives and obstetricians throughout a woman’s pregnancy. With specific chiropractic adjustments; which is safe during pregnancy, our care offers relief of back pain, sciatic pain, and pelvic pain related to pregnancy.

IMPORTANCE OF PRENATAL CARE

More and more mothers are discovering the many benefits associated with chiropractic care throughout pregnancy. They appreciate the chiropractor’s respect for the body’s natural design and function. Supportive care providers, renewed trust in the body and the whole-health benefits of chiropractic care are being recognized as vital ingredients to a healthier pregnancy and an overall easier birth.

Our office works with many women prior to pregnancy to establish that their spine and nervous system are at optimal health prior to conception. A proper functioning nervous system provides a healthy environment for easier conception without the use of fertility drugs. It is imperative that the nervous system and immune system of the eventual mother-to-be are operating at their optimal level to ensure vitality of expectant child. Our doctors also understand the special chiropractic needs of the
pregnant patient and works closely with mid-wives and obstetricians throughout a woman’s pregnancy. With specific chiropractic adjustments; which is safe during pregnancy, our care offers relief of back pain, sciatic pain, and pelvic pain related to pregnancy. Unwanted symptoms such as heartburn during pregnancy can also be helped with chiropractic adjustments! Research has also found that women who receive chiropractic care during pregnancy have approximately 6 fewer hours
of labor than women who did not receive care.  We specialize in treating pregnant women and babies.

CORRECTIVE CARE

Before and After postural spinal imaging results are an important component of realizing the success or furthering of our focused efforts on the intervertebral discs to realign the structure of the spine towards optimal position. Our doctors recognize that as your spine is corrected, proper changes of spinal position must be evident. Naturally, our Gonstead doctors only use the specific adjustment to achieve these changes. Your initial postural spinal images will let us confirm and show you if there are deficiencies in your spinal structure. If indicated, our doctors will recommend an appropriate corrective program comprised of a carefully planned series of Gonstead adjustments. The ultimate goal is to return the spine to its normal structural alignment, which in turn will also result in intervertebral disc healing, reduced muscular tension, improved balance of nerve flow, inhibition of early degenerative joint disease and a noticeable improvement in optimal nervous system function and overall performance.

THE CORRECTION PROCESS

It all starts with a scientific, five-step examination of your posture, spinal alignment, joint motion and neurological function as compared to healthy normal values. The Gonstead Method combines biology, physiology, physics, geometry, and anatomy to carefully study and identify the causes of your pain, discomfort, loss of mobility, and altered health originating from your spine misalignments and resulting posture abnormalities. In our offices, you will find Advanced Instrumentation to perform a full spine postural, biomechanical, and neurological assessment. This technology allows us to objectively measure functional improvements in the nervous system. We use a top-of-the-line, high speed, low dose x-ray system. Pre and post spinal image comparisons are used to assess biomechanical improvements and determine when maximum structural recovery has been reached.

BEFORE AND AFTER postural spinal imaging results are an important component of realizing the success or furthering of our focused efforts on the intervertebral discs to realign the structure of the spine towards optimal position. Our doctors recognize that as your spine is corrected, proper changes of spinal position must be evident. Naturally, our Gonstead doctors only use the specific adjustment to achieve these changes. Your initial postural spinal images will let us confirm and show you if there are deficiencies in your spinal structure. If indicated, we will recommend an appropriate corrective program comprised of a carefully planned series of Gonstead adjustments.

The ultimate goal is to return the spine to its normal structural alignment, which in turn will also result in intervertebral disc healing, reduced muscular tension, improved balance of nerve flow, inhibition of early degenerative joint disease and a noticeable improvement in optimal nervous system function and overall performance.

ABNORMAL BODY POSTURE: The black vertical gravity line in both the front and side views represents proper alignment. The red line represents the spine and the body’s misalignment due to injury, wear, and improper posture.

OPTIMAL BODY POSTURE: The thin green vertical lines in both the front gravity and proper posture. The spine is represented by the heavier green lines and illustrates optimal alignment and curvature: from the front as straight and from the side as three curves.

CHIROPRACTIC CARE AND SPINAL SURGERY

BACK SURGERY PREVENTION

Did you know that most people still live in pain after spinal surgery and many operations result in a second spinal surgery? A study in the journal Spine explains that many times spinal surgery leaves patients in more pain. Researchers reviewed records showing that only 26% of 725 patients who had back surgery returned to work, and they also found that there was a 41% increase in the use of painkillers in those who had surgery.  There are extreme cases when surgery is necessary but should only be considered after more natural, less invasive methods have been given a fair chance. For years chiropractic has been documented as able to save people from spinal surgery. Reports of an MRI reveal a disc herniation, or protrusion in the neck or lower back, was reduced or completely reabsorbed under chiropractic care. Had they not sought out chiropractic, many of these individuals undoubtedly would have had surgery.

AFTER BACK SURGERY

Our office has programs that exists to serve people after spine surgery with the most advanced chiropractic care to enhance their quality of life and prevent further spine damage. Several examples in the literature show positive results with chiropractic and patients with failed spinal surgeries. In its clinical practice guidelines, the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research (AHPCR) recommends treating the pain of most acute low back problems with spinal adjustments. It is best to begin with conservative approaches and to progress to more invasive approaches only as clinically necessary. Scientists surveyed 100 individuals with low back pain who underwent chiropractic care. Overall, patients experienced a 50% reduction in low back and leg pain within 16 days. Our doctors are experienced with a variety of spinal surgeries and our goal is to improve the patient’s quality of life and longevity of their spine with our non-surgical technique. Our doctors use specialized clinical protocols to properly diagnose and treat patients with getting the quickest results in mind. It is our aim to adjust underlying spinal dysfunction existing prior to or after surgical intervention. In fact, surgical intervention introduces structural and functional compensations to spinal movements that result in accelerated aging and more damage to the spine over time.