Not all methods of chiropractic treatment are alike; in general, there are two approaches to caring for the spine. The first is what the majority of chiropractic services use. With this method, practitioners focus on the particular area of the spine causing problems. The localized area is aligned through a short, hard thrust on either side - or sometimes directly on - the spine in the hope of decreasing pain, increasing mobility and helping the patient to stand better. Although this method is well known and most often used, it does have its issues. Realigning the segment does reduce the pain in most cases, as well as increase mobility and ability to stand, but it does not fix the issue that caused the misalignment of the spine in the first place. In general, patients often suffer muscle soreness, and many patients have to return on a regular basis to keep the spine in alignment.
The second method is the NUCCA method, which stands for National Upper Cervical Chiropractic Association. Rather than the focal point on the back and short hard thrusts, NUCCA focuses on gentle corrections of small neck misalignments. The subtle correction helps restore the spinal column to optimum balance.
The spinal column protects the central nervous system, the part of the body that controls and coordinates all of the body's functions. When the spinal column is out of alignment, it can cause muscle spasms - as they pull to try and correct the misalignment -, poor circulation due to swelling of the surrounding areas and painful pinching of the nerves. It is only natural that we resituate ourselves to ease pain and discomfort when spinal problems occur. In addition, many twist and turn in an attempt to fix the problem.
Unfortunately, not only does this not help, it can actually worsen the problem. Muscles pull tighter, the spine becomes further misaligned, which in turn causes more pinching of the nerves and various other issues. Research has shown that good spinal balance can, not only help the way your back feels, but is critical to your overall good body health as well. Extensive research and clinical studies have also shown that better body balance can reduce stress, as well as relieve pain and tension - which may be part of what's causing the stress.
Although the central nervous system is one of the highest control factors over body balance, the brain stem is also. Through NUCCA and the subtle corrections below the brain stem, the entire balance of the body is affected.
For those who have been to a practitioner in the majority, there may be some surprise and confusion. Many patients don't realize that the gentle touch behind their ear was an alignment. Some, however, experience a sense of euphoria or great fatigue. Several don't realize how much pain they're in until it's gone.
It's hard to believe that something so miniscule can do so much for your overall body health, but it does, and here's why. The body has the wonderful capability of being able to self-heal; many have healed from life threatening injuries when doctors thought the possibility was incredibly small.
As you move through the day, your body is constantly being threatened. Germs enter your body and are destroyed; your skin is scratched and closes over. Toxins enter through your food, are filtered out and cleared away. Normal, every day things that need the energy your body produces to take care of them.
Misalignment of the spine, however, is hard for the body to fix on its own. Energy (that normally goes into the every day healing) is spent trying to hold the body in an upright position and fighting gravity. As more energy is poured into the fixing the spine and surrounding areas, less is available for the normal, every day healing.
NUCCA, by correcting the misalignment, frees the body's energy to do what it was meant to do - keep you happy, healthy and strong.About The Author Chiropractor Dr. Friedman, at NUCCA based atlanta chiropractic treatment center AlternaHealth Solutions, invites you to a life of optimal health, based upon the principles of spinal balance and active healing which are the foundation of the NUCCA chiropractic method. Visit online at http://www.alternahealthsolutions.com/ today.
