To my patients, and others reading, a warm hello to you all. Being the first blog, it was quite difficult to decide what to write on because the topics seem endless. Which one to pick? I’ve kinda been racking my brain a bit. But I thought I’d keep it pretty simple, set the foundation straight and focus this chat on what this profession is actually about, how I apply this to my practice, and how it can have a positive impact on YOU.
I often hear people say, I don’t need to see a chiropractor because I’m not in any pain. For me… insert cringing emoji face. Is our level of functionality depicted by our level of pain? This is like saying, “Just because I’m skinny, I’m healthy! (Currently digesting a McDonald’s burger – not me).” I don’t believe this to be true. I think this misconception has developed because it’s been constantly drilled into us that we only see a doctor or healthcare professional when we are sick or injured. Yes, in some cases this can be true, agreed; however, for example, you don’t only need to visit a Biokineticist once you’re recovering from surgery. What about prehab? Postural correction before the onset of pain or potential need for surgical intervention? Strength and conditioning for an athlete? Pain is certainly not the only reason for chiropractic care either.
BJ Palmer had this to say, “The preservation of health is easier than the cure for disease.” However, in order to truly understand what the ‘preservation of health’ actually looks like, I think there is one important thing we need to actually grasp about what HEALTH is: “Health is not about how you feel, it is about how well your body is functioning.” The physical feeling of a disease or niggle may have spent ages manifesting and you weren’t even aware of it. Chiropractic care aside (I’ll get to this in more detail), here’s a simple example; in as many as 50% of cases of cardiovascular disease, the first symptom is either a heart attack or death – that is a pretty alarming fact. We may feel fine, but our bodies may not be functioning effectively. As the world advances, our bodies undertake increased stress levels and we develop this attitude that we are invincible, we can handle it. “Argh I’ll start eating healthy next week Monday (New week, new goals right?); I don’t have time to exercise because work is too hectic; Yes I have bad posture… so? I will see the chiropractor when I get to a 10/10 pain rating or when my pain killers run out.” Sound familiar? But the reality is, this all has a direct effect on the homeostasis of our bodies. And this is where chiropractic comes in.
We are neuromuscular skeletal doctors – we believe in achieving a healthy spine and nervous system because the nervous system controls and coordinates every organ and cell in the body. We influence the system that runs ALL other systems in the body. Therefore, it is absolutely crucial that it is functioning correctly. We can identify subluxations that rob the body’s ability to focus, think, organize and heal; and provide chiropractic adjustments to help restore motion into the areas of the spine, as well as reestablish homeostasis (proper function) to the nervous system. Furthermore, pertaining to me in particular, those individuals who are my patients will know that my approach to chiropractic care is further reinforced by taking interest in one’s lifestyle – I spend a fair amount of time diving into exercise regimes, proper diet, sleep patterns, and any other factors that can affect a healthy lifestyle. I have a passion for the holistic approach to chiropractic practice because I do believe that all factors have an impact on how well we are functioning. My take in a nutshell: Combining chiropractic adjustments, soft tissue therapy, education, and patient relationships. When we move well, we can heal, and hence excel in more ways than we think.
So, ultimately chiropractic care is about allowing your body to heal itself, to function and move at its optimum. So the next time you get that physical feeling or niggle that whispers to you, don’t ignore it. Be proactive and listen to your body and you won’t have to hear it scream. I read an article that gave me a great perspective regarding the onset of back pain, and it has shaped how I like to educate my patients on this topic and help them to better understand the preservation of health. “Back problems are rarely the result of a singular incident, but rather the culmination of several smaller traumas. Think of it like boxing. The knockout blow only becomes so devastating because it was set up by all the other punches before it.”
I hope this has provided some insight into what I do and what this profession is all about from my perspective. And if you’re reading this line, congratulations on reading the entire blog post (unless you just skipped to the end haha).
A massive thank you to all those that have entrusted me to look after them from a chiropractic perspective, I value every one of my patients dearly.
Remember,
Move. Heal. Excel.
Big love,
Doc Lol x