Features - Chiropractic - a lot more than back pain by Dr D Sluce

Chiropractic and Health

Chiropractic is a branch of the healing arts, and as a science is based on the premise that good health depends upon a normally functioning nervous system. When body structures such as tissue cells and organs are functioning normally, a state of health is said to exist. The chiropractic approach to health is to ensure optimum spinal function so that there is limited interference to the nervous system as nerves exit the spine.

The spinal cord has 31 pairs of spinal nerves, which exit the spinal column. The most delicate and important organs of the nervous system: brain and spinal cord, are encased in a hard bony covering composed of the skull and spinal column. Irritation to the nervous system can occur when spinal biomechanics are compromised. Since every organ, cell and gland in the body requires information from the brain to function, interference in this transmission could cause symptoms, such as eczema, asthma, digestive problems, migraines etc. Many people will experience back pain, neck pain and other types of pains, but in many cases a spinal problem may be present causing nervous system malfunction without any spinal pain.

The primary purpose in chiropractic health care is to examine and evaluate the spine and pelvis to determine if any vertebral misalignments (subluxations) are present.

A subluxation is a complex of functional and/or structural and/or pathological changes that compromise neural integrity and may influence organ system function and general health. (Association of Chiropractic Colleges definition)

If present, subluxations may be factors in producing interference that will irritate the nervous system and compromise its ability to adapt and function. In simplistic terms it is like when your garden hose gets a 'kink' in it and the water stops, so the information impulses between your brain and body cells becomes affected.

We have been taught since childhood that if there are 'no symptoms' we are well. We have been preconditioned by advertising media to believe that anytime a symptom appears, we need simply 'pop this pill' and all will be well. Drugs have become so commonplace that we do not question if we should take them or not, but rather, which ones and what dosage. Chiropractic is the largest non-drug health profession in the world today. We believe that we do not have to put chemicals into the body to make it well.

In reality, all we are doing by using medication is covering over symptoms, rather than correcting the cause of malfunction within our bodies. Chiropractic teaches that health is not a commodity, which can be purchased in a tablet or bottle: it can only be obtained and maintained by allowing the natural recuperative powers of the body to function unimpaired. Locating spinal subluxations early, before they interfere with a proper functioning nervous system and produce symptoms, will greatly assist your body in remaining healthy.

What causes subluxations?

Primary factors are usually physical trauma, which can be one off major accidents or the cumulative stress from minor accidents and poor posture. Often they can begin very early in childhood. Have you ever considered the stress on a baby's spine, especially the neck, during the birth process? Then add numerous falls, often from a height, carrying heavy books to school, sports and general poor posture, and you will start to see that right from the beginning of life, subluxations can be caused. Subluxations cannot sort themselves out if left alone, the only thing they will do is get worse. X- rays on adults often show spinal misalignments and degeneration which would have been caused by a subluxation dating back to before that adult was five years old.

Chiropractic and Eczema

So chiropractors do not 'treat' eczema! We improve the function of the spine and remove the interference within the central nervous system, thus allowing the innate intelligence of the body, to return us to a state of optimal health. We recognise that the body has the innate power to 'grow' a baby, beat a heart, digest food, and all without one conscious thought by us. Just imagine if this power was released within your body, without any interference! The only way chiropractic can help is if you suffer from subluxations. The most important region of the spine is the upper neck because in this area the spinal bones surround the brain stem and this is an important part of the brain, which influences many of our body functions.

I generally find that children with eczema have better results than adults who may have had symptoms for many years. I would estimate that 25% people get very good results, 50% some improvement and 25% not much of a symptomatic change. I always encourage people to combine chiropractic with a healthy lifestyle and I believe that nutrition is very important. Remove additives, preservatives, processed foods and drink lots of water. Food intolerance testing (not allergy) is a must for everyone with eczema and I recommend all people who have eczema to have this performed.

My Personal Story

My introduction to chiropractic was for eczema. I had suffered for 12 years with no great improvement from medical treatment until I was taken to a chiropractor at age 14. I had a disastrous neck and after several months of chiropractic care I improved about 60% and was off steroid creams for the first time in years. Several years later I had food intolerance testing which discovered I have a dairy intolerance. Two weeks after being off dairy I was nearly 100% and now 15 years later I can have limited amounts of dairy products but when I have too much the eczema flares up to remind me to keep off the cheese and milk. I also benefit from chiropractic adjustments, at least every 2 weeks. Amazed at the improvement in my eczema I decided to apply for chiropractic college and have now been in practice for ten years.

Dr Dean G Sluce
Bach. Appl. Sci. (Chiropractic)
240 Queensferry Road
Edinburgh EH4 2BP

Tel: 0131 332 0063

Page Created: 2/1/03