Chiropractic Adjustments

"At the heart of chiropractic is the spinal adjustment. A chiropractor, in attempting to restore and maintain optimum health, locates and corrects spinal subluxations to enhance nervous system function. This corrective process is called a spinal adjustment.” —Gilles A. Lamarche, D.C.

The chiropractic adjustment is a specific application of a gentle force utilized to correct subluxations. Scientific research has proven the direct relationship between the nervous system and the immune system. The immune system is the one that governs whether or not people will fall victim to infectious or other detrimental processes. Since the nervous system controls all functions and healing in the human body, and can be put in jeopardy by spinal dysfunction, it is imperative that everyone have optimal spinal function. The spine and skull are the most common areas in which interference to the nervous system occurs. This is called the Subluxation Complex. Only Chiropractors are trained to detect and correct these interferences in a persons spine or skull.

How does an adjustment feel?

Most people receiving adjustments will describe a sense of relaxation, lowered state of stress, increased freedom of motion, and a sense of better balance. The doctor will use his hands or specific instruments to check your nerve system and adjust any areas of nerve interference (subluxation). As a rule, the adjustment is complete when your neck, shoulders and hips are even, free of stress, and have a proper range of motion. It is in this state that your body has the greatest potential for healing from the inside out.

How should I feel after an adjustment?

Great! Most people experience more energy, less discomfort, more flexibility, and an overall feeling of enhanced well-being. Sometimes, significant changes may occur too quickly leading to slight, short —term discomforts such as headaches, sniffles, a slight fever, drowsiness, lethargy or similar reactions. The doctors will monitor your progress very closely to ensure maximal comfort during this time of change.

In some patients with long-term chronic conditions, realigning the spine may also cause the muscles around the spine to be sore. This is only temporary, until the weakened muscles are strengthened. This is comparable to the discomfort felt after a good work out at the local Winnipeg gym.

Retracing / The body's memory

Retracing is the re-experiencing or re-awakening of old pain or other symptoms that suddenly comes to the surface. This is a natural and part of the healing process, these symptoms or feeling soon pass. When a person suffers a trauma, accident or injury the body tissues themselves have a 'memory' which records the incident. The injury is associated with feelings of panic, shock, anger/hysteria, these may be the feelings the patient retraces.

How long will it take?

The healing process takes time. Depending on the severity of your spinal distortion or subluxation, the chiropractic patient may respond after only one or a few adjustments. No two people are the same, so even if two patients have the same spinal distortion, they will not heal in the same amount of time. There are three stages to consider in how long will it take to heal.

First is the initial intensive care, visits are frequent, focusing on reducing symptoms. Second is the corrective care, the objective is to stabilize spinal function to complete healing. Last is wellness care where regular check-ups prevent old and new spinal problems occurring and reoccurring. You have to invest time in chiropractic care to restore and optimize your health. The chiropractor will recommend a care schedule, depending on age, condition and lifestyle.

Contact Family First's Winnipeg Office to start your healing today.