Chiropractic Information
There's nothing mysterious about chiropractic. It's a natural method of health care that treats the causes of physical problems rather than just the symptoms. Chiropractic is based on a simple but powerful premise: With a normally functioning spine and a healthy lifestyle, your body is better able to heal itself. That's because the spinal cord, which is protected by your spine, is the main pathway of your nervous system. It controls feeling, movement, and function throughout your body.
Your chiropractor's education includes at least six years of training in the sciences and health care, leading to a doctor of chiropractic (D.C.) degree. He works to restore your health and guides you in a personalized approach to overall wellness- through spinal care, exercise, good nutrition, and stress management.
During acute episodes of severe low back pain and when treating disc herniations/protrusions, Dr. Shaffer will frequently use a flexion/distraction table to help open the foramen or nerve opening in the spine thus allowing the disc to reduce and heal. A hand-held instrument called an Activator is used in some cases, such as in the care of newborns and infants, geriatric patients with advanced osteoporosis, patients with carotid artery blockage, and other ailments that have contra-indications to manipulation.