This is how the brain communicates with the body – organs, muscles, and virtually all cells and tissues of the body receive and send messages by way of this spinal nerve network. Because nerve tissue is extremely sensitive, the spine is required to be firm and protective, yet it must also be highly flexible. Our flexibility comes from small joints (facets) where the stacked vertebrae link together.

When vertebral joints don’t align precisely, they become jammed (what we call “fixated”). Fixation impairs normal gliding movement in the joint.

When this happens, the sensitive lining of the facet joints can be affected, with a stretching, scraping, swelling or irritation of the nerves and surrounding tissues. Small interspinal muscles may become tender, spasmed or fatigued, leading to imbalances. Misalignment or fixation also puts strain on the discs, contributing to degeneration, tearing or deformation.

Chiropractors restore normal movement to the vertebrae, by aligning the joints. Individual patients have different treatment needs, so a variety of techniques may be employed.

Some chiropractors (including Dr. Hearn) also use physiotherapy and deep soft tissue therapy techniques to aid healing of the muscles and fascial tissues in and around the joints. Specific traction therapies, such as intermittent traction or Continuous Passive Motion (CPM), can be used to induce gentle movement that decompresses the vertebral column.

Because other body parts, like shoulders, wrists, knees, and ankles, share similar joint configuration, chiropractors are also trained to treat problems in these places.

Our job is to restore balance, normal motion and alignment to your body. This allows for optimum health and function, with the goal of then being maintained by your own efforts as much as possible.

The key is to be sure the body receives enough treatment to stabilize and “re-educate” the structures that need correction, without allowing the treatment to extend into an unhealthy dependence. Absolutely crucial to this process is the patient’s participation in two ways: following home instructions, and keeping all scheduled appointments. When several treatments are needed, each session builds on the last; progress is lost if the sequence is interrupted.

In a respected medical journal, The Journal of Family Practice, a 1992 article educating M.D.'s on how to identify a competent chiropractor listed the following guidelines for how much chiropractic treatment would be considered medically necessary. Low back pain is the most common musculoskeletal complaint seen by medical doctors, so the article focused on it. Their recommendations were:

For patients with Low Back Pain that began less than 3 weeks ago: usually 3-5 chiropractic treatments to relieve; then, after a maximum of 10 treatments, chiropractor must re-examine patient (and additional treatment, or referral to other type of doctor, determined by exam results).
For Low Back Pain that began over 3 months ago: 3 chiropractic treatments per week for up to 8 weeks, then chiropractor must re-examine patient (and additional treatment, or referral to other type of doctor, determined by exam results).
For Low Back Pain lasting 3-12 weeks: # of treatments somewhere in between the above figures.

Of course, many factors revealed by physical examination will influence how much treatment a patient requires. Speed of recovery will also be dependent upon the patient's initiative to keep to their appointment schedule, get adequate sleep, follow the chiropractor's home-care instructions (including appropriate exercises), and even the quality of the patient's nutrition.

Our modern day habits and lifestyle - lots of sitting, typing, phone use, driving, and stress – throw muscles out of balance. Muscles connecting to and supporting the vertebrae may respond by contraction (spasm). This pulling stress can cause vertebral fixation. This cycle can be corrected with rest, relaxation, movement (stretching & strengthening) – and chiropractic care.

Most structural problems don’t develop overnight. A patient may believe that he “just slept wrong” or “just bent over to tie my shoe”, and managed to cause enough injury for a trip to the Chiropractor.

But does that really make sense? The “straw that broke the camel’s back” didn’t do it alone! One little straw couldn’t do very much damage…unless there were a lot of other straws weighing on the camel’s back already. Likewise, when someone wakes up with a painful wry neck, it probably wasn’t from one night of “sleeping wrong”. Usually, sleeping wrong was just the “last straw”.

Our bodies need proper care in the form of daily stretching, exercise, good nutrition, relaxation, posture, water, proper breathing, and emotional balance. If we neglect these things, the body slips into disrepair. Good treatment teaches care of the body, allowing the patient to have an active role in how healthy their body can be.

Whether you come in again after your painful problem is under control is always your choice; how often you come depends on your lifestyle, injuries, and how well you take responsibility for care of your own body at home.