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Chiropractic is the health profession concerned with the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mechanical disorders of the musculoskeletal system, and the effects of these disorders on the function of the nervous system and general health. There is an emphasis on manual treatments including spinal adjustment and other joint manipulation.
- World Health Organization (WHO)
About chiropractic
Chiropractic is a first contact health profession that deals in particular with the spine and its very close relationship to the functioning of the nervous system. Practiced in over 100 countries and with millions of people adjusted daily all over the world, it is considered the 3rd major health field worldwide.
Chiropractic adjustments are not exclusive to patients with certain conditions or even ages. Chiropractic is for everyone who wants to enjoy their health to the fullest - from athletes, to babies, pregnant women, or the elderly..
One of the main pillars of chiropractic is the knowledge that the body, when fully functioning, has the innate ability to heal and regulate itself. The role of the chiropractor is to enhance this ability. The focus is therefore not on treating symptoms, but rather on maintaining and restoring the body's activity and responsiveness, enabling recovery.
In essence, allowing the body to function well, so that we can feel well.
![Ajuste quiroprático para dores no pescoço, cervical e costas](https://clinicaduarteportas.pt/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/quiropratica-cervical-1024x768.jpg)
How does it work?
The nervous system (brain, spinal cord, and nerves) controls all the functions of our body, and the spine is its great protective shield. From our spine springs a mass quantity of nerve networks that connect to all parts of the body. For this reason, any change in the spine affects the nervous system and, consequently, various areas and functions of our body.
Throughout our lives it is very common for disturbances to occur in the functioning of our spine - our vertebrae lose their optimal movement or move slightly, putting pressure on the adjacent nerve, which causes a decrease in the flow of information in the nervous system, and can give rise not only to local pain, but to different disorders and imbalances. We call these occurrences subluxations.
Several factors lead to the appearance of subluxations:
- Physical factors: repetitive strain, falls, bad posture, pregnancy, childbirth, accidents.
- Chemical factors: medication, lack of hydration, diet, alcohol, tobacco, contact with chemical products (e.g. detergents, disinfectants, fuels, lubricants).
- Emotional factors: all the emotions we feel and don't process properly - stress, anxiety, depression.
Subluxations can cause multiple symptoms, from postural dysfunctions, to joint pain, headaches, development of inflammatory processes, and even degeneration of the vertebra itself.
The main goal of the chiropractor is to detect and correct these subluxations, removing the interferences that prevent the transmission and reception of nerve impulses between the brain and the rest of our body.
Through manual, gentle and precise techniques, and without resorting to medication, we locate, correct and prevent these disorders with the goal of restoring the normal functioning of the spine and nervous system
![Chiropractic subluxation on the vertebral spine](https://clinicaduarteportas.pt/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/chiropractic-subluxation.jpg)
![Consulta de quiroprática ou quiropraxia para bebés e crianças, lisboa e guarda](https://clinicaduarteportas.pt/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/quiropratica-ajuste-bebe.jpg)
Is it safe?
Several scientific studies prove the safety and effectiveness of chiropractic adjustments, being recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a safe treatment with reduced, transient and very mild adverse effects.
Essential to this safety is the extensive training that a chiropractor receives, which allows him/her to ensure that the adjustment is done in the correct way. It is therefore very important that chiropractic adjustments are always performed by a properly qualified professional.
A Chiropractor goes through a 5 year university education. This training includes anatomy, radiology, neurology, chiropractic techniques, and others. The training has a strong practical as well as theoretical component, which gives the chiropractor a solid scientific base.
Chiropractors are highly trained in diagnostic methods, allowing them to ensure that treatments are appropriate for each patient, according to their age, physical condition, and history, and always respecting the natural physiology of each person. For this reason, everyone - from 0 to 99 years old - can enjoy the benefits safely.
Does chiropractic make sense to me?
Chiropractic is a powerful ally in maintaining and restoring health in many areas throughout our lives. Not focused on treating symptoms, it is a non-drug alternative to restore the functioning of the neuromusculoskeletal system – joints, muscles, tendons, bones, nerves, and other structures responsible for body movement - allowing our bodies to recover and function better.
Here are some areas in detail where Chiropractic can help you: