Lumpkin Chiropractic
409 W Osage St
Pacific  MO 63069-1332

636 271 2960

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The Spine

 

 

The spine has 25 joints connecting the 33 individual bones.  The bottom 4 bones are fused together to form the terminal vertebrae called the coccyx or tailbone – and the 5 bones above that are fused together to form the sacrum, and are caged within the bones of the pelvis.

Each bone is called a vertebra and they are grouped together to perform specific tasks.

The vertebrae are kept separate by disks of cartilage – effectively the cartilage stops the vertebrae from grating on each other and gives the spine flexibility..
First 7 are the neck or cervical vertebrae supporting the skull.

 
Next 12 are the chest or thoracic vertebrae each carrying a pair of ribs.

 
Next 5 are the lumbar vertebrae transmitting the weight down to the sacrum. These take the strain during lifting.

 
Next 5 are fused as the sacrum housed within the bones of the pelvis. These transmit the weight sideways into the pelvic girdle.

 
Last 4 are fused as the coccyx – the tailbone - and only move during pregnancy.
The vertebrae are not positioned in a straight line up and down. In this side on view you can see that the spine is made up of four opposing curves (exaggerated for illustration) that counterbalance each other.

What is a Spinal Adjustment ?

The chiropractic spinal adjustment represents the cornerstone of chiropractic treatment. Spinal adjustments are used successfully to treat a variety of different spinal disorders as well as a number of other health problems. Chiropractic doctors are the only health care professionals trained to deliver the chiropractic spinal adjustment.

Spinal adjustments or spinal manipulation is the process of applying a quick but gentle pressure to "subluxated" vertebrae in a corrective manner. The adjustments are not and should not be painful. In fact, most patients look forward to their chiropractic adjustments as they usually provide immediate relief from discomfort and increase one's sense of well being. Many years of study and practice are necessary to acquire the skills of providing an effective and safe spinal adjustment.

Research has shown spinal adjustments to be the most effective treatment in numerous conditions including back pain. This is because spinal adjustments correct many of the structural, biomechanical and neurological abnormalities of the spine which cause or contribute to a high number of back, neck and other non-spinal ailments.

When Should Spinal Adjustments Be Given?

Spinal adjustments are applied to certain vertebrae of the spine which are no longer in their proper position or where functioning has become impaired. Vertebrae which lose their normal position or proper motion are commonly termed vertebral subluxations. The chiropractor uses a number of unique tests and procedures to determine which, if any, vertebrae are subluxated. If subluxations are found, immediate correction is generally indicated. Since like cavities subluxations are not always painful during the initial stages, even those who are not experiencing back or neck discomfort should receive periodic spinal checkups.

What Do Spinal Adjustments Do?

Adjusting helps correct vertebral subluxations. Correcting subluxations reduces pain and inflammation, reduces muscle spasm and tension, normalizes spinal biomechanics and more importantly, can remove nerve irritation and interference which can improve overall health and wellness of the individual. Chiropractic adjustments are the only way to eliminate vertebral subluxations and only the chiropractor is trained to detect subluxations and deliver the chiropractic spinal adjustment to correct subluxations.

 
Do You Experience Spinal Stress ?
  •  Do you slouch or notice you have poor posture?
  •  Do you feel that certain areas of your back are uncomfortable?
  •  Do you think you are not as flexible as you used to be?
  •  Do you feel muscular tension in your neck or back?
  •  Do you find it takes a long time to recover from trauma or illness?

    If you answered yes to two or more of these questions, you will want to have your spine examined by a chiropractor.

 

Frequently Asked Questions:


• What is an adjustment?

• Do adjustments hurt?

• What do you mean by gentle? I thought chiropractors needed to be forceful to make spinal corrections.

• Will I be sore afterward?

• Someone said once I start going to a chiropractor I will need to keep going forever, is this true?

• Are there specific adjustments for specific diseases?



Answers:
• What is an adjustment?
An adjustment is an application of force used to remove vertebral subluxations.

• Do adjustments hurt?
Not at all, a properly delivered adjustment should actually feel great! There are a great number of different chiropractic techniques. These procedures vary from very gentle techniques to standard manual manipulation.

• What do you mean by gentle? I thought chiropractors needed to be forceful to make spinal corrections.
Not at all-many of our adjustments are achieved with the amount of pressure of one hand gently resting upon another.
Most people are not aware that for the last thirty years, chiropractic has developed powerful techniques involving light adjustments. 

• Will I be sore afterward?
This is a good question. If a chronic severe subluxation is present the muscles and other tissues settle into an abnormal position. (As the twig is bent so grows the tree). When the vertebrae is reset into a more normal position the muscles and tendons also reset to a new position. This sometimes causes soreness until the muscles and joints get used to this new correct position. Generally, pain or soreness after treatment is rare.

• Someone said once I start going to a chiropractor I will need to keep going forever, is this true?
Most of our patients are seen on a infrequent basis. If the subluxation can be found and adjusted promptly before it becomes chronic, there is no need for further treatment. However, if a subluxation has existed for a long time it takes a while to "train" the vertebrae to hold its new position. Just as having your periodic dental examination and medical check-up there is nothing wrong with having a spinal examination to catch problems before they become chronic. 

• Are there specific adjustments for specific diseases?
No. Your chiropractor will check your spine for subluxations. 
 Reference the nerve chart

 

 

 

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