Many people seek chiropractic care when their back goes out or their neck tightens up. But how does this form of care actually work? What are the benefits of receiving chiropractic care for nerve dysfunction compared with other healthcare options?

First, let’s discuss how the nervous system “works.” There are three divisions of the nervous system: the central, peripheral, and autonomic nervous systems.

• Central nervous system (CNS): This includes the brain and spinal cord, essentially the main processing portion of the nervous system. The spinal cord is like a multi-lane highway that brings information to the brain for processing and returns information back to the toes, feet, legs and upper extremities from which the information originated. This is essential to allow us to complete our daily tasks in an efficient, safe manner as information is constantly bouncing back and forth between the brain and the rest of the body.
• Peripheral nervous system (PNS): This sensory/motor system relays information back and forth from our toes/feet/legs and fingers/hands/arms to the spinal cord (CNS). We also have “reflexes” that, for example, allow us to QUICKLY pull our hand away from a hot stove to minimize burning our fingers. Reflexes allow the information to “skip” the brain’s processing part so quicker reactions can occur.
• Autonomic nervous system (ANS): This includes the sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions that basically “run” our automatic (organ) functions like breathing, heart rate, digestion, hormonal output, and more.

There is constant communication between the ANS, PNS, and CNS that allow us to function in a normal, balanced way… unless something disrupts them. Some of the obvious conditions that interfere with this communication process and delay or block neurotransmission include:

• Diabetes (neuropathy)
• Frost bit or burned fingers
• Peripheral nerve damage from conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome, thoracic outlet syndrome, and/or pinched nerves, as well as conditions such as multiple sclerosis, Guillain-Barre Syndrome, stroke, and a trauma with resulting fractures where nerve, spinal cord, and/or brain damage occurred.

There are also many other less obvious injuries or conditions that can result in faulty neuromotor patterns and nerve transmission of which a chiropractic doctor can diagnose and treat, referred to as “the subluxations complex.” This is a term used to describe the compromised nerve transmission that may occur if a nerve is compressed or irritated due to faulty bone or joint position along the nerve’s course. Reducing such nerve compression typically allows for a restoration of function. A good illustration of this is a patient who suffers from a herniated disk in the neck with numbness and tingling down the arm to the hand. The goal of chiropractic treatment is to remove the pinch of the nerve.

To realize this goal, doctors of chiropractic utilize spinal manipulation and mobilization in addition to other non-surgical, non-drug approaches that may include exercises, nutritional advice, home-care such as a cervical traction unit, and other anti-inflammatory measures (ice, low level and class IV laser, electric stimulation, pulsed magnetic field, and more).

Given the minimal side-effect risks and well-reported benefits from chiropractor services, it only makes sense to try chiropractic FIRST. If you’re not satisfied, your chiropractic doctor will help you find the next level of care.

Call McKim Chiropractic today to schedule a consultation. Wondering how much does it cost for chiropractic treatment? Our staff will be happy to answer your question. We are committed to helping the residents of Nampa, ID live their life pain-free!