Gonstead Chiropractor In Kalispell Montana

By | Benefits of Chiropractic

Gonstead Chiropractor In Kalispell Montana

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The Gonstead Concept of chiropractic begins with a basic biomechanical principle of physics. Every engineer, architect, builder and carpenter knows the importance of a proper foundation in constructing a building, for this insures durability and long life. Any slight change or shift in the foundation can cause a great amount of deviation in the top part of the structure and, perhaps, ultimately, its collapse.

The body’s foundation is formed by the pelvic girdle. When this bony structure consisting of hip bones and the lower bones of the back is level, there will be maximum balance and stability in the spinal column. When the pelvic girdle or any of the vertebrae (bones making up the spinal column) become tilted or rotated out of their proper position, dramatic changes may occur in the body.

These misalignments can cause pressure on the discs that separate the vertebrae. (The condition of the disc is the key to the patient’s health problem in many cases.) Vertebra can become misaligned either from the cumulative effects of several minor episodes or from a single accident. Nature frequently is able to cope with these jolts to the spinal column without assistance. Sometimes, though, vertebrae tilted or rotated out of their normal position can be too much for nature to deal with effectively.

In order to more fully understand what occurs, we should know that the discs are really pads between the vertebrae and consist of a spongy substance surrounded by fibers of cartilage. When there is misalignment of a vertebra, there is uneven pressure on the disc causing it to swell and protrude. (One often hears this referred to as a slipped, herniated or ruptured disc.)

Chiropractors call this condition a SUBLUXATION when it results in the pinching or compressing of the nerves that run through that particular area. These compressed nerves often become inflamed and impede the proper transmission of impulses to the section of the body controlled by these nerves. A seemingly endless list of ailments and pain may be brought about by these subluxations.

Generally, misaligned vertebrae in the spine are easily recognized, particularly those in the upper portion of the vertebral column. However, less easily found and often overlooked are misalignments in the foundation or lower portions of the spine.

The ability to recognize and correct these misalignments forms an integral part of the Gonstead Concept. For example: When the lower portion of the spinal column has misaligned vertebra, the body tries to keep itself and its skeleton upright and straight. Often it compensates by causing a vertebra above to become misaligned. This is the body’s way of attempting to re-establish the normal perpendicular position of the body.

If just the top misaligned vertebra was adjusted, in cases where additional vertebrae are misaligned, only limited relief could result. This would not be getting to the source of the trouble. For complete and lasting results, all of the misaligned vertebrae must be identified and then a program can be initiated to restore them to their normal position. Every chiropractic case presents a different combination of misaligned vertebrae.

The Fight Of Metabolism

By | Benefits of Chiropractic

The constant fight of maintaining or decreasing our metabolism is a huge factor for many.  We can all understand and rationalize that as we gain in age that things begin to slow down, and one of those is our metabolism.  Individuals that are in their middle-ages or not even out of high school yet should not have to suffer with fluctuating metabolism problems.  Realizing that our current trend in society to a more sedentary lifestyle with fast food for three meals a day does play a role in this.  Diet, exercise, and lifestyle choices are all variables to consider when talking about metabolism.  The fight of metabolism that we are going to address here is centered on our hormones and specifically our nerve system control.  Addressing the changes your body makes in metabolism without a clear and connected nerve system.metabolism

Ask about three people you know if they or somebody they know has a problem with their thyroid gland.  Most likely you will come out with 100% participation of someone suffering with thyroid dysfunction.  Metabolism is directly proportional to how your thyroid gland is functioning and receiving clear communication from your nerve system.  If there is stress placed on the body via some sort of physical, chemical, or emotional stress then your body will slow down its overall function.  Stress placed on the nerve system will slow digestion, metabolism, hormones, and cellular function (among other things).  Your entire physiology will drastically change when your nerve system is not optimally functioning.  

Chiropractic recognizes that your entire body needs to function at its optimal potential.  By removing stress placed on your nerve system, you are able to function the way you are supposed to.  A disturbance in the nerve that regulates and controls your thyroid gland is directly correlated with metabolism.  Now, just to clarify we are not saying we are going to change your weight and instantly lose fifty pounds.  Chiropractic care will remove the disturbance placed on your nerve system which will allow your body to begin to heal.  Allowing proper connection from nerve to gland and gland to nerve is essential for any component of the body.

A Sense For Chronic Pain

By | ADHD, Benefits of Chiropractic

A Sense For Chronic Pain

Chronic pain is and should not be the norm for individuals to have to live with!  Chronic pain is usually associated with some sort of physical suffering that our body endures.  In reality, your body is telling you that something is not right.  Your body can still function and perform, but not to its optimal potential that it is designed for.  Pain is transmitted through the sensory part of the nerve.  The sensory part of the nerve is a very small portion in comparison to the motor part (muscle, etc) and autonomic part (blood vessels, etc).  If your body is constantly sending pain messages, your nerve system is trying to tell you something.  Realize that your nerve system regulates and controls every human experience you have.  Your nerve system is not functioning to your optimal potential when chronic pain is persistent.  Someone who suffers from this needs to realize that pain is a RED FLAG and most likely there is an underlying reason why.

Pressure upon a nerve decreases the firing capacity that is supposed to be 100%.  When a spinal bone moves and puts pressure upon a nerve it is called a subluxation.  When this process first begins, typically you will not feel the sensation of pain first.   Your body will enter protection mode, muscle fatigue, spasms, low energy, any real possible signs and symptoms for that specific nerve and the vital organs, cells, and tissues it controls.  These first signs and symptoms that your body presents should be your first indicator of “chronic pain.”  As the subluxation continues uncorrected for some time, your body will eventually develop the physical sensation of pain.  That is why it is so important to have your nerves checked periodically even before the sensation of pain appears.

In a randomized controlled trial, 183 patients with neck pain were randomly allocated to manual therapy (spinal mobilization), physiotherapy (mainly exercise) or general practitioner care (counseling, education and drugs) in a 52-week study.  The clinical outcomes measures showed that manual therapy resulted in faster recovery than physiotherapy and general practitioner care.  Moreover, total costs of the manual therapy – treated patients were about one-third of the costs of physiotherapy or general practitioner care. ~ Korthals-de Bos et al (2003), British Medical Journal

 

Pediatric Chiropractic Care

By | ADHD, Benefits of Chiropractic

Why is pediatric chiropractic care important?  The simplest reason being is that they have a nerve system as well!  To expand this approach on pediatric chiropractic care we dive into a quick snapshot of chiropractic.  Chiropractic is a noninvasive form of health care that seeks to keep individuals healthy without medication, surgery etc.  Every human experience we encounter has to be processed via our nerve system.  Any incoming data from the environment has to be perceived via your nerve system and any outgoing data has to be organized via your nerve system.  Pressure upon a nerve (pinched nerve) is called a subluxation.  A subluxation limits the potential of your body by causing a disconnection from your brain to your vital organs, cells, tissues, glands, everything.  Chiropractic removes the pressure from the nerve so your body is able to stay connected and function at your optimal potential.

pediatric chiropractic care

Now that we have a quick understanding of chiropractic, let’s head to our main topic of pediatric chiropractic care.  Pediatric chiropractic care is vitally important due to the fact that an infant’s spine will double in size in their first two years of life!  The spine serves to protect the most important system in the body, the nerve system.  What are most infants doing during their first years of life?  They are sitting, crawling, walking, climbing, and most likely falling down in some sort of fashion.  These are just some of the possible physical stressors that can cause a subluxation in an infant.  As they continue to grow their spine begins to take shape and develop the three curvatures that sustain life.  Pediatric chiropractic care allows early detection of possible subluxation’s that limit our child’s potential.

Realize that a subluxation is not something you can just spot that stands out like a “Stop” sign along the road.  Subluxations are deep and nasty things that sometimes take years to fully manifest.  Possible signs and symptoms can be delayed milestones, difficult or painful latching, frequent spitting up, colic, etc.  Pediatric chiropractic care limits the interference in the nerve system so our children can grow to their maximum potential.

Ear Infections In Babies The Natural Way

By | ADHD, Benefits of Chiropractic, Ear Infections


Ear Infections In Babies The Natural Way

Ear infections in babies can be and is a very challenging time in parenthood.  Determining the right avenue to help your child and allow them to overcome the ear infection is our top priority.  Ear infections in babies are commonly met with antibiotics or surgical intervention.  While these methods might have a time and place for some, they should not be the first line of defense.  Ear infections in babies is often a symptom of an immune system out of balance.  The immune system can be challenged by environmental factors, diet, and most important, if it does not have a clear functioning nerve system.  If our child’s immune system is compromised then increased mucous production and inflammation begins thus resulting in infection.  

So, let’s go through the “norear infections in babiesmal medical” cycle of what happens with ear infections in babies.  An ear infection occurs so we think the “cure” is to use antibiotics when actually 70% of all ear infections are caused by viruses.  Administer improper antibiotics which predispose our child to repeat infections and illness by destroying the good bacteria in the body.  Ear infection occurs again so we repeat the process, eventually until the parents have had enough and they put tubes in the ear to drain the fluid.  A weakened immune system occurs due to improper administration of antibiotics, this makes our children more susceptible to having another infection.  If we just stop there we might be okay, but then this continues to our child’s tonsils and we think they have to be removed. (Chronic and repetitive illness will cause them to be irritated)

Ear infections in babies the natural way can and should be dealt with by means of chiropractic.  Chiropractic adjustments restore proper connection to your nerve system which regulates and controls your immune system.  The nerves regulate and control everything that you do!  Proper nerve function allows normal motion of the eustachian tubes and proper ear drainage.  Having a properly functioning nerve system is KEY to preventing reoccurring ear infections in babies by allowing the body to function the way it is intended…naturally.  Regular spinal adjustment ensure ear infections in babies resolve naturally and allow your child to be healthy.  

 

Carpal Tunnel Relief

By | Benefits of Chiropractic, Ear Infections

Carpal Tunnel Relief

Carpal tunnel relief is often linked to people wearing a brace or having some sort of surgery performed.  Carpal tunnel is caused by pressure on our median nerve which regulates and controls our hands, more specifically speaking our thumbs, index and middle fingers.  Symptoms can and will vary for each individual, the most common being weakness, numbness, and irritation in the fingers listed above.  Individuals with neck discomfort also exhibit signs and symptoms of weakness, numbness, and irritation in the fingers.  How do you actually know if what you’re experiencing is carpal tunnel?  Your top priority should be to have your nerves checked.

With carpal tunnel relief, just like anything else in your body, it starts with relief of the nerve.  Understand, if we have a bad experience in life we have to blame and look towards our nerve system for the cause and result.  Carpal tunnel is interesting because people understand that to obtain relief you have to address the nerve that is causing the discomfort.  This principle of relieving pressure on a nerve is key to understanding chiropractic.  Carpal tunnel relief is just not about looking at the wrist that is giving you the pinpoint sign and symptoms.  Everything starts from somewhere with regards to your body, and as previously stated you have to look to the nerve system first.  Ninety percent of all carpal tunnel patients were found to have nerve root irritation in their cervical spine, a condition known as double crush phenomena Journal of Neurology.  

carpal tunnel reliefYour median nerve has its beginnings in your neck, and if there is pressure upon the nerve in your neck region than you can exhibit signs and symptoms of carpal tunnel.  The stereotype is out that secretaries and individuals who type are more prone to having carpel tunnel.  Widen the outlook and see that most often the people that are prone to carpel tunnel exhibit poor posture, chronic sitting, and have a poor ergonomic work station.  All of this further contributing to a compromised nerve system, specifically speaking to our neck region.  Carpal tunnel relief is addressed by removing pressure from a nerve.  Chiropractors are nerve system specialist that check your nerves and, if necessary, perform specific adjustments.  Carpal tunnel relief = get your nerves checked.