Introduction:
In the realm of healthcare, chiropractic care stands out as a holistic approach that not only addresses immediate symptoms but also focuses on addressing their cause. The chiropractic profession has various areas of focus, each contributing to the restoration and optimisation of health in different aspects of life. Check out the key focus areas we’ve identified below to see how the chiropractic profession continues to build on the foundations of traditional chiropractic care through an array of diverse applications, used all over the world.
Neurostructural Rehabilitation: Healing from Within
At the core of chiropractic philosophy lies the understanding that the body has an innate ability to heal itself when provided with the right conditions. Neurostructural rehabilitation, a key component of chiropractic care, targets the nervous system and the musculoskeletal structure to optimise function and alleviate pain. By utilising spinal adjustments, chiropractors aim to correct misalignments (subluxations) in the spine, which may be impeding the body’s ability to communicate effectively through the nerves. These adjustments can improve spinal function, thereby improving neural signalling via better brain-to-body connection. This promotes overall health and wellness in the long term while also addressing the (usually) painful symptoms that brought the individual to a chiropractor in the first place [1, 2].
Sports Recovery: Enhancing Performance and Preventing Injuries
For athletes, peak performance and speedy recovery are paramount. Chiropractic care offers a non-invasive and drug-free approach to both enhancing athletic performance and aiding in the rehabilitation of sports-related injuries. Chiropractors can work closely with athletes to address biomechanical imbalances, reduce inflammation, and optimise joint function. By incorporating chiropractic adjustments into their wellness routines, athletes may experience improved range of motion, enhanced flexibility, and reduced risk of injury, allowing them to excel in their chosen sports. With no downtime required between treatments, chiropractic becomes a very powerful tool in propelling them towards excellence [3, 4].
Childhood Development: Nurturing Growth and Well-Being
The early stages of life are crucial for proper growth and development. Chiropractic care for kids focuses on ensuring that children achieve their developmental milestones while maintaining optimal spinal health. Gentle adjustments tailored to the unique needs of infants and children help correct spinal misalignments that may arise from the birthing process, falls, or other micro traumas that arise from early childhood. By promoting proper spinal alignment and nervous system function from an early age, chiropractic care in a child’s developing years sets the foundation for a lifetime of wellness, enabling children to thrive both physically and cognitively [5, 6, 7].
Women’s Health and Pregnancy: Supporting Well-Being Through Every Stage
Chiropractic care plays a significant role in supporting women’s health and wellness throughout all stages of life, from adolescence to menopause and beyond. During pregnancy in particular, women undergo profound physiological changes that can lead to discomfort, pain, and postural imbalances. Chiropractic adjustments tailored to the specific needs of expectant mothers can help alleviate common pregnancy-related issues such as back pain, pelvic discomfort, and sciatica. Additionally, current best evidence suggests that by maintaining proper spinal alignment and pelvic balance, chiropractic care could promote optimal foetal positioning, which may facilitate a smoother delivery process and could reduce the risk of complications [11]. Beyond pregnancy, chiropractic care may help manage menstrual symptoms and support women through the changes that come with menopause. By caring for the spine and nervous system, hormonal health may be given the chance to regulate better, addressing hormonal imbalances, and fostering vitality and resilience throughout every life stage [8, 9, 10].
Animal Chiropractic Care: Extending Healing to Our Furry Friends
Just as humans benefit from chiropractic care, so too can our animal companions. Animal chiropractic care, also known as veterinary chiropractic, focuses on optimising the musculoskeletal and nervous systems of animals to enhance their overall health and well-being. Whether it’s a beloved family pet, a performance animal, or a working companion, animals of all shapes and sizes may experience relief from conditions such as musculoskeletal injuries, arthritis, and mobility issues through chiropractic adjustments. By addressing spinal misalignments and restoring proper nervous system function, animal chiropractic care may enable animals to lead happier, healthier lives [12, 13,14].
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Conclusion
Chiropractic care offers a holistic approach to health and wellness that extends beyond the confines of pain and symptoms, and into correction and life-long wellness. Whether it’s neurostructural rehabilitation, sports recovery, paediatric development, women’s health or even animal wellness, chiropractic care encompasses a diverse range of applications aimed at optimising health in various aspects of life. By recognising the interconnectedness of optimal health and the nervous system, chiropractors empower individuals of all ages and walks of life, to unlock their full potential to live life to the fullest – whether it’s two or four legs that do the walking!
References
[1] Haavik, H., Kumari, N., Holt, K., Niazi, I. K., Amjad, I., Pujari, A. N., Türker, K. S., & Murphy, B. (2021). The contemporary model of vertebral column joint dysfunction and impact of high-velocity, low-amplitude controlled vertebral thrusts on neuromuscular function. European Journal of Applied Physiology, 121(10), 2675–2720. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-021-04727-z
[2] Niazi, I. K., Navid, M. S., Merkle, C., Amjad, I., Kumari, N., Trager, R. J., Holt, K., & Haavik, H. (2024). A randomized controlled trial comparing different sites of high-velocity low amplitude thrust on sensorimotor integration parameters. Scientific Reports, 14(1), 1159–1159. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-51201-9
[3] Lin, A. F. C., Piong, S. Z., Wan, W. M., Li, P., Chu, V. K., & Chu, E. C.-P. (2023). Unlocking Athletic Potential: The Integration of Chiropractic Care into the Sports Industry and Its Impact on the Performance and Health of Athletes and Economic Growth in China and Hong Kong. Curēus (Palo Alto, CA), 15(4), e37157–e37157. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.37157
[4] Moustafa, I., Kim, M., & Harrison, D. E. (2023). Comparison of Sensorimotor Integration and Skill-Related Physical Fitness Components Between College Athletes With and Without Forward Head Posture. Journal of Sport Rehabilitation, 32(1), 53–62. https://doi.org/10.1123/jsr.2022-0094
[5] Parnell Prevost, C., Gleberzon, B., Carleo, B. et al. Manual therapy for the pediatric population: a systematic review. BMC Complement Altern Med 19, 60 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-019-2447-2
[6] Fludder, C. J., & Keil, B. G. (2017). The prevalence of extremity joint dysfunction in neonates and infants within a paediatric chiropractic clinic. Chiropractic Journal of Australia (Online), 45(4), 359–367.
[7] Hock, S. & Spoelstra, A. Improved Brain Development in 37 Children Undergoing Chiropractic Care for Correction of Vertebral Subluxation: A Retrospective Analysis of Health Outcomes. J. Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health. 2022;86-94.
[8] Haavik H, Murphy BA, Kruger J. Effect of Spinal Manipulation on Pelvic Floor Functional Changes in Pregnant and Nonpregnant Women: A Preliminary Study. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics. 2016 2016/06/01/;39(5):339-47.
[9] Alcantara J, Nazarenko AL, Ohm J, Alcantara J (2018), “The use of the patient reported outcomes measurement information system and the RAND VSQ9 to measure the quality of life and visit specific satisfaction of pregnant patients under chiropractic care utilizing the webster technique,” Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, Vol. 24 Number 1, 2018, pp. 90-98, DOI: 10.1089/acm.2017.0162, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5779240/
[10] Reproductive and Autoimmune Improvements: New Chiropractic Case Report Examines Fertility Success Story: https://spinalresearch.com.au/reproductive-and-autoimmune-improvements-new-chiropractic-case-report-examines-fertility-success-story/
[11] Steel A, Adams J, Sibbritt D, Broom A, Frawley J, Gallois C. Relationship between complementary and alternative medicine use and incidence of adverse birth outcomes: an examination of a nationally representative sample of 1,835 Australian women. Midwifery J. 30(12), 1157–1165 (2014). www.midwiferyjournal.com
[12] Schultz, J. A., Haffner, J. C., Wooten, M. S., Hoffman, R. M., & Spooner, H. S. (2015). 24 The effect of chiropractic treatment on performance and behaviour of lesson horses. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science, 35(5), 393–393. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2015.03.032
[13] Acutt, E. V., le Jeune, S. S., & Pypendop, B. H. (2019). Evaluation of the Effects of Chiropractic on Static and Dynamic Muscle Variables in Sport Horses. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science, 73, 84–90. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2018.10.016
[14] Halle, K. S., & Granhus, A. (2021). Veterinary chiropractic treatment as a measure to prevent the occurrence of spondylosis in boxers. Veterinary Sciences, 8(9), 199-. https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci8090199
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