What is Chiropractic?
Chiropractic is a health care profession that focuses on disorders of the musculoskeletal system and the nervous system, and the effects of these disorders on general health.
How does Chiropractic work?
The Chiropractic adjustment is a hands-on adjustment technique applied to the spinal joints and other misaligned or subluxated joints in the body to restore normal motion. In addition to restoring normal motion, the adjustment has several important additional components that improve health locally to the adjusment as well as distally at other locations in the body.
An adjustment causes the release of endorphons which relax trigger points and muscles. It improves nutrient and blood supply to ligaments that have been been deprived due to muscle and cartilage tightness from injury, and it assists with waste removal. Additionally, the Chiropractic adjustment improves movement of the spine at the facet level (where the spine vertebra sits atop its neighbor) by relaxing surrounding muslces and ligaments.
Importantly, and as partial explanation as to how the Chiropractic adjustment assists distal organs and tissues, the Chiropractic adjustment reduces pressure on nerves. Nerves exit the spinal column through small holes called IVFs (interverterbral foramen) and these exit pathways are readily impeded by swelling due to inflammation, or misaligned vertebra can cause over-stretching of a nerve, or, chronically, bony overgrowth can irritate the nerves. The Chiopractic adjustment improves nerve function at distant organs and sites such as the heart and lungs by restoring normal impulse delivery.
What else does Chiropractic involve?
As part of a larger school of holistic healing, the practice of Chiropractic frequently includes the application of therapeutic modalities and techniques, none of which, importantly, involve surgery or drug prescription. In addition to the Chiropractic adjusmtnet, modalities at Acupractic include: Acupuncture, soft tissue massage, hot and cold packs, electro-stimulation, and therapeutic ultra-sound. Many of these therapies are covered by your insurance and aid greatly in your healing. To provide long-lasting results and to help cleanse the body, Chiropractic treatment includes nutrition, lifestyle change and exercise presription.
Is Chiropractic safe?
Doctors of Chiropractic are well trained professionals who provide patients with safe, effective care for a variety of common conditions. Their extensive education has prepared them to identify patients who have special risk factors and to get those patients the most appropriate care, including referral to a medical specialist.
Chiropractic is widely recognized as one of the safest drug-free, non-invasive therapies available. Risks associated with chiropractic are very small, especially when compared to the use of NSAIDS or prescription painkillers. Many patients feel immediate relief following chiropractic treatment, but some may experience mild soreness, stiffness or aching, just as they do after some forms of exercise, usually subsiding in 24 hours.
How is Chiropractic regulated in North Carolina?
After obtaining a 4 year undergraduate degree, a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) in North Carolina has graduated from an accredited Chiropractic School 4 year program including 1 year internship, and passed National Board Exams as well as North Carolina Board Exams. A DC completes additional training on an on-going basis to maintain licensure through the North Carolina Chiropractic Association Board (NCCA). Dr. Lisa Oskardmay is fully licensed in Chiropractic, having completed all necessary training above, as well as annual continuing education classes.