Chiropractic is based on the premise that the body possesses an internal system that strives for balance. This internal system is referred to as your "innate intelligence." Our bodies strive to take care of themselves and chiropractic care simply helps the body to do just that... keep itself healthy. Let me share with you part of the Chiropractor's Creed:

• The human body is entirely capable of healing itself.

• All body functions are controlled and monitored by the nervous system.

• Subluxations are like nervous system roadblocks, and, left untreated, can irrevocably diminish overall well-being.

• Chiropractic adjustments can correct subluxations and reawaken the nervous system.

So, if the body is capable of healing itself, some would ask what role the chiropractor plays. When the body is in perfect condition and the nervous system is allowed to do all it is meant to do, life is great and the body functions exactly the way we would like.

The problems occur when we live life. Any number of things can cause our spine to become misaligned. It doesn't take a severe accident or extreme trauma to cause one or more of the 24 spinal bones to move out of place. Even stress, poor posture, poor nutrition, hormonal problems, and even smoking can cause a bone to become subluxated.

A subluxated bone is what a chiropractor focuses on. This subluxation is occurring when a bone in the spine is out of place thus causing interference with the nervous system. If the nervous system is infringed upon, here is where health problems will begin. It's a simple notion.

Most people think of chiropractic physicians as treating mostly orthopedic problems, especially backaches, disc pains, sciatic problems, whiplash-related injuries and the like. In these cases, many would often try the chiropractic approach first. With other disorders such as those which involve organs and internal glands of the body, it seems chiropractic is not often thought of as a first place to seek treatment.

By understanding that every gland, organ and cell of the body needs a nerve supply to function properly, then it's clear that the nerves play an active and necessary role in the functions of all parts and systems of the body. Therefore, it would seem logical that the first place to look for possible problem areas would begin with the nervous system. If the interference in the nervous system is removed, the nerves are able to supply the brain with the necessary messages it needs to keep the body running smoothly. The chiropractor's adjustments move the spinal bone that is out of alignment and is causing the nervous system to malfunction.

So, can I give you a list of conditions that chiropractors treat? No, I can't do that and no chiropractor will. What we can say is that we strive, through the use of chiropractic adjustments, to align the spine. Once the bones in the spine are in alignment, the nervous system is then allowed to do its job... to keep you healthy and allow your body to heal itself!

Why wait to have chiropractic care when pain and symptoms arise and when dysfunction has been present for so long that many times it may be too late to rely on the bodies' healing abilities. Maintain proper integrity within your nervous system by having a chiropractor check your spine for possible nerve interference. Be proactive and have your spine checked today!

If you have questions concerning chiropractic care and the nervous system, please call us at Spoelstra Family Chiropractic at (208) 667-7434 or look us up on the Web at www.CDAHealth.com.