Synergy of Acupuncture and Chiropractic
- Posted on: May 23 2018
Chiropractic and Acupuncture are ancient healing arts which both go back several thousand years. They are both different but unique. The art of Spinal Manipulation goes back to the time of Hippocrates and the ancient Greeks. Acupuncture goes back to the Orient and was used as the Eastern primary form of Health Care along with Herbal Medicine. It was not just as a modality to treat pain and musculoskeletal disorders. Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine deals with energy traveling through energetic pathways called meridians. Pain, disease or dysfunction, according to Acupuncture theory, is due to the blockage of energy through one of the 12 main meridians or pathways called stagnation or stagnant energy. The stagnation or blockage of energy flow is believed to cause ill health, disease, dysfunction, or pain.
In the Chiropractic system of health care, the Subluxation or misaligned vertebra is the root cause of pain, disease or dysfunction. Depending on the location of the Subluxation in the spine: Cervical, Thoracic or Lumbar determines the part, or parts of the body that is compromised. For example, if the Vertebral level corresponding to nerves which supplies the lungs is compromised, there will be less than optimum function to that organ; in this case the Lungs or in theory any other organ or system of the body. If one of the lower Lumbar Vertebrae is Subluxated and impinges on one of the levels of the Sciatic nerve the patient may have pain, numbness or tingling down one or both lower extremities. The condition is commonly diagnosed as Sciatica or Sciatic Neuritis.
Although very different in the way Chiropractic and Acupuncture function, the two healing Arts can be complementary to each other and aid in the healing of numerous musculoskeletal disorders. For example, most chronic spinal pain disorders are commonly associated with painful chronic muscle spasms of the paraspinal musculature. Prior to the manipulation of the effected spinal region, Acupuncture can be performed to the involved spasmed shortened muscles to relax the allowing for a more effective manipulation. Acupuncture also has the added benefit of bringing more blood to the area to improve or reduce the healing time. When an area is needled, micro trauma occurs in the area which causes PDG or platelet derived growth factor to be released in the area. The release of PDG is the mechanism which signals additional blood flow to the needled region of the body to promote healing in the area. In addition, Acupuncture causes the body to release Endorphins and Enkephalins which are Opioid like neurotransmitters that help reduce the patients pain.
In conclusion Acupuncture and Chiropractic are both ancient Healing Arts which can be used in unison to enhance the healing process and speed up the recovery of many chronic musculoskeletal disorders.
Posted in: Acupuncture, Fitness, Health & Wellness
