Chiropractic Clinics And Health Care Professionals

The focus at chiropractic clinics is on the musculoskeletal system; how it functions, how to protect it and how to treat it in the event of injury or trauma. Chiropractors are health professionals who subscribe to standards as set out by the Allied Health Professions Council of South Africa. To qualify as a chiropractor in South Africa, you study for 6 years and on completion you are awarded a Masters Degree in Chiropractic. Many chiros are also members of CASA, the industry’s professional association.

Unlike the brain, the spine is not protected. This means that the nerves that run along the spine can be irritated if vertebrae have shifted or have been injured. These nerves carry the messages from the brain to the muscles, organs and other tissue in the body and when interrupted, the body cannot function properly. A correctly aligned spine means a healthier body, one that can heal itself.

In babies, minor spinal injuries can occur during birth. Babies are treated with gentle manipulations of the spinal cord and conditions such as colic, bad sleeping patterns, reflux and other often vague symptoms can be corrected. When a child learns to walk on two legs, he must learn to walk with an upright spine and during this time the spine also comes under pressure. A child’s final growth phase is at the age of approximately 12 years and here also spinal problems can occur.

Sports people benefit from treatments at clinics for injuries such as tennis elbow. Chiro treatments are safe also for senior citizens and pregnant women. Chiros mainly treat mechanical disorders of the spine but they also treat head and neck conditions such headaches and migraines. They can basically treat all muscles and joint complaints.

When trauma, stress or chemical imbalances cause the spinal bones to shift from their positions, the nervous system is compromised. An indication that something is amiss with the spine, are symptoms such as: irritation of the nerves, muscle weakness or spasm, and conditions like scar tissue, spinal decay and arthritis.