Chiropractic medicine addresses the relationship between the spine and the function of the central nervous system. Doctors of chiropractic medicine, or chiropractors, practice under the basic philosophy that the body has the ability to heal itself.

In the United States each year auto accidents cause an estimated six million injuries. A small percentage of those injured will report chronic post-accident pain that ranges from mild to severe, often in the back, neck, or other joints and muscles.

Though the benefits of chiropractic care are often debated, there are many people who've experienced pain relief through chiropractic care. While back and neck pain are the most common reasons you may visit a chiropractor, many chiropractors also treat a variety of other pains and symptoms.

Car accidents account for a large number of chiropractic visits each year, but you may not know that many injuries associated with automobile accidents can be prevented or their severity lessened.

As a parent, it's essential that you make the best healthcare choices for your child, and that choice may include chiropractic care. Recent studies have shown that the number of children who visit a chiropractor regularly is increasing.

Chiropractic care can be expensive and your insurance may not cover the treatments, so it's best to check your health plan before visiting a chiropractor.

Your body goes through many changes during pregnancy, and your expanding waistline and increasing weight can put stress on your bones, muscles, joints, and ligaments.

Your body has the ability to release chemicals that can alter your mood and the major systems within your body. The most common chemicals associated with this response are called endorphins (en-DORF-ins), which are produced naturally in the body.

The cost of chiropractic care can be just as expensive as visiting a medical doctor. If your insurance doesn't cover chiropractor visits, you'll have to pay for those costs on your own.

To receive a degree as a Doctor of Chiropractic, or DC (D-C), you must complete at least two years of undergraduate education. In some states, however, a bachelor's degree is required.

Physiotherapy (fiz-ee-oh-THARE-uh-pee) is also known as physical therapy, in which physical problems are treated with massage, manipulation, regulated exercise, or other muscle soothing means, such as heat.

Chiropractic care is based on the philosophy that the body can and will heal itself if given proper care. This non-invasive care primarily uses manual adjustments to promote the healing of joints and nerves.

Chiropractic care was developed in 1895 (18-95) by Daniel Palmer as a natural healing method. Using a mixture of anatomy and metaphysical concepts, Palmer developed a theory that manipulation and alignment of the spine could cure all health problems.

You may have heard about chiropractic techniques such as spinal manipulation and adjustment. While those terms may sound frightening, chiropractic manipulations are safe and relatively painless.

While it's well known that being overweight can cause a variety of medical problems such as heart disease and high blood pressure, you may not realize how excess body weight affects your joints.

Does it seem like the pressure at work never lets up? Stress headaches, migraines, back pain, and muscle and joint strain are all common complaints, especially among those who work long hours in stressful situations.

If your life is stressful and busy, you may not have time to exercise regularly, eat a balanced diet, and get enough sleep. In fact, stress can impact all areas of your life, including your work, your family life, and even your sex life.

More women are entering the field of chiropractic medicine each year. Studies suggest that the draw to chiropractic medicine for most women is the more natural approach to healing, health, and well-being.

There are many misconceptions about chiropractic care, and you may have difficulty sorting through all the information that's available. One common question about chiropractors has to do with their qualifications.

Did you know that you're more likely to hurt yourself at home than anywhere else? Fortunately, many home injuries can be prevented just by changing your habits.

Essentially, chiropractors heal their patients by reducing the stress placed on the muscles, joints, and nerves from injuries and everyday activities.

You may not know that some common daily activities may put you at risk for injury. Lifting heavy objects can strain the muscles and joints in your arms, legs, neck, and back.

With more than 50,000 (fifty thousand) practicing chiropractors in the United States, your problem most likely won't be finding a chiropractor, but finding one that's right for you.

There are several steps you can take to reduce the risk of injury on the job. If you're required to lift heavy objects, wear a back brace and use the strength in your legs to bear the weight of the object.

Children can be picky eaters, and they can drive you crazy at mealtime. As a parent, you may wonder if your child's getting enough to eat and receiving the proper nutrition.

Lifting heavy objects puts you at risk for serious injury, especially to the arms, legs, and back. The first step to safe lifting is proper technique.

You may never consider your health until you're sick or in pain, but the best defense against illness and injury is prevention. Diet and exercise are two very important aspects of your health that you can control.

Chiropractic care can be expensive, especially if it's needed on a regular basis. You can help make your chiropractic bills more affordable by checking to see if you your health insurance company covers chiropractic services.

The human body is very complex and very demanding. Every day, your cells, nerves, muscles, joints, and organs work together to allow you to perform your daily activities.

Pain relief without drugs is the basic premise behind all chiropractic medicine. In fact, the popularity of chiropractic care is increasing rapidly, as more and more patients seek relief from pain without using medication.

Chiropractors believe that the body can and will heal itself without drugs if given the proper care. Chiropractic adjustments may alleviate pain by releasing the tension in muscles and joints.

Sleep deprivation is said to be one of the greatest health crises facing our nation. During sleep, your body rests and repairs minor damage caused by your daily activities.

Strains and sprains can be painful and may even limit your mobility. In fact, if not treated properly, a strain or sprain can cause recurrent pain or more serious injury.

You may not realize how damaging stress can be to your body, especially because it seems like such a normal part of life. But consider what happens to your body when it's under stress: Your heart rate and blood pressure increase; your breathing becomes rapid, which makes your lungs work harder; and your muscles tense up in preparation for action.

Summertime brings warm weather and more time spent outdoors, but it can also bring injuries and pain if you're not careful. Summer injuries can occur if you're suddenly active after months of inactivity.

Your first visit to the chiropractor will usually begin with a questionnaire about your personal and family medical history. It's important that you note all medical conditions you have to help the chiropractor successfully diagnose your problems.

Most chiropractors have X-ray equipment in their offices, and they're trained to take and read X-rays as well. X-rays allow your chiropractor to view the bones and joints in the injured area, and diagnose more serious conditions such as fractures and dislocations.

Chiropractic is a scientific belief that the body can and will heal itself when treated properly. It involves the manipulation of the spine and other joints to relieve pressure on surrounding nerves and muscles.

Subluxation (sub-lux-AY-shun) is the partial dislocation of a joint. This means that the joint isn't properly positioned within the joint socket. The condition can be minor and barely noticeable, or it can be serious and prevent you from moving the joint.

Do you find that you're depressed or tired in the winter more often than other times of the year? You're not alone. In fact, the winter doldrums is a condition known as Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD (sad).

Workers' compensation is a type of insurance covered by your employer if you're hurt on the job. The insurance pays you wages that would have been lost due to your injury.

Your first visit to the chiropractor will begin with a questionnaire about your medical history, diet, and physical habits. The chiropractor or an assistant will take your blood pressure, check your reflexes, and listen to your breathing.