The current conventional health care system earns a reputation for effectively treating symptoms with drugs or surgery. The standard operating procedure for most complaints or conditions, especially for those lasting longer than three months, tends to be the administration of medication. Medications for high blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol, indigestion, allergies, depression, and pain represent the most common and sadly, profitable treatments. The problem with this model of health care becomes the cycle of sickness and artificial treatment which temporarily alleviates symptoms but never addresses the cause of disease and discomfort. Many drugs and treatments save lives in crisis moments when life hangs in the balance, but long-term quality of life requires an emphasis on education and strategies meant to address the underlying cause of problems – rather than engaging in a cycle of temporarily treating symptoms.

Chiropractic care does not pursue the treatment or curing of specific conditions. Nervous system care functions much like exercise and other proactive health measures. Positive outcomes and long-term health benefits occur which extend far beyond most initial reasons for implementing the proactive approach. A person may initially desire to lose weight through exercise. The long-term outcomes of an exercise regimen include weight loss in addition to improved energy, lower blood pressure, reduced stress and better sleep among other benefits. These long-term benefits occur because the process of exercise radiates into many different functions and processes of the body.

Chiropractic adjustments and nervous system care work in a similar fashion. The spine serves as a vital component which helps direct the function of the entire body through the brain and nervous system. An intimate connection exists between the spine and central nervous system. If the spine operates while misaligned or not moving properly, more stress occurs in the system and radiates into the body and organs. Small misalignments and abnormal movement patterns in the spine produce disturbances in the messages going into and from the brain and disrupt control of the body. An adjustment gently relieves areas of abnormal movement and misalignment so the body functions and heals as intended.

Chiropractic helps people with all sorts of problems ranging from back and neck pain to headaches, energy challenges, sleep troubles, and much more. The best part of Chiropractic care comes from knowing that this form of health care addresses the underlying causes and roots of sickness and disease. A 2003 research study found that people experiencing spinal pain experience more effective relief from Chiropractic care than from the use of acupuncture or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). The study showed that people experiencing the most severe, chronic spinal pain credit Chiropractic care with providing long term results. Two years after the initial study, a 2005 follow-up study was done to track the progress of the initial findings. Researchers used the same outcome instruments among the three treatment groups (Chiropractic, acupuncture, and NSAIDs) and determined that only those patients in the Chiropractic group were found to have experienced both short term and long-term relief and healing from care.

Chiropractors pursue the cause of sickness and disease rather than simply covering up symptoms. The most effective investment of time and money comes from making health care choices which pursue healing and restoration of optimal function and performance. Masking symptoms does not equate to healing. Chiropractic provides a health care choice which seeks to address the cause of problems and provide long term health benefits for the whole family.

References:

*Spine. 2003 Jul 15;28(14):1490-502; discussion 1502-3. Chronic spinal pain: a randomized clinical trial comparing medication, acupuncture, and spinal manipulation.

*J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2005 Jan;28(1):3-11. Long-term follow-up of a randomized clinical trial assessing the efficacy of medication, acupuncture, and spinal manipulation for chronic mechanical spinal pain syndromes.