A Sample Lay Lecture for A Sample Lay Lecture for the Students of NYCCthe Students of NYCC

Lisa K. Bloom, D.C.

Christopher J Good, D.C., MA (Ed)Associate Professors, New York Chiropractic College

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What is Chiropractic?What is Chiropractic?

(Fill in your name here)

Chiropractic is a Chiropractic is a unique model of unique model of

healthhealth care... care...

So...So...

What is health…?

HEALTHHEALTH

“A state of optimal physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease and infirmity.”

Dorland’s Medical Dictionary, 28th ed., 1994

Isn’t the presence or Isn’t the presence or absence of absence of

symptoms a good symptoms a good indicator of one’s indicator of one’s

health?health?

Not necessarily!

It is possible to be “sick” in the absence of symptoms– For example: The common cold

It is possible to be healthy in the presence of symptoms– For example: The common cold

Chiropractic care seeks Chiropractic care seeks to maximize the overall to maximize the overall functionfunction of the entire of the entire

body, not merely body, not merely address the symptomsaddress the symptoms

Optimal Health = Optimal Function

Structure affects Structure affects function.function.

If you change If you change structure you directly structure you directly

impact function.impact function.For example:

What happens to a door if the hinges rust?

How does chiropractic How does chiropractic care maximize care maximize

function…?function…? By optimizing the structure and function of

muscles and joints

By optimizing communication within the nervous system

We are concerned about We are concerned about the nervous system the nervous system

because…because…

the nervous system the nervous system organizes, regulates and organizes, regulates and connects the functions connects the functions

of the entire body.of the entire body.

The 3 parts of the nervous The 3 parts of the nervous system are:system are:

Brain and spinal cord make up the “central” nervous system

The nerves to and from the arms, legs and trunk make up the “peripheral” nervous system

The nerves that take care of automatic activities such as regulating digestion, heart rate and blood pressure make up the “autonomic” nervous system

What does the What does the nervous system have nervous system have

to do with the to do with the spine…?spine…?

The spine is very The spine is very important because…important because…

The spine lies at the site where these 3 major parts of the nervous system meet

Poor movement or misalignment of the spine (subluxation) directly affects the way the parts of the nervous system communicate

This results in less than optimal communication between different parts of the body

A A “subluxation” occurs when a “subluxation” occurs when a joint loses some of its ability to joint loses some of its ability to

move freely...move freely...

This leads to structural and functional stresses that cause changes in the

function of the nervous system

What does a What does a chiropractor do to chiropractor do to

restore proper restore proper movement of the movement of the

spine?spine?

The AdjustmentThe Adjustment The purpose is to restore normal movement

between spinal joints which will…– Correct the poor mechanics which can cause

degeneration and pain– Correct the misalignment of the joints– Optimize muscle function– Optimize nerve activity which optimizes

communication between all types of tissues– Restore Health!!!

What is the What is the “popping” sound that “popping” sound that

occurs with some occurs with some types of types of

adjustments?adjustments?

This is the result of gas particles in the joint fluid being released—like

opening a can of soda!

Will I need more than one Will I need more than one adjustment?adjustment?

If you were to change the way you part If you were to change the way you part your hair, you wouldn’t expect it to hold your hair, you wouldn’t expect it to hold right away...right away...

In the same way, the muscles and nerves In the same way, the muscles and nerves of the spine need the opportunity to of the spine need the opportunity to learnlearn new patternsnew patterns

The neuromuscular system The neuromuscular system needs time to relearn new needs time to relearn new patterns. Your chiropractic patterns. Your chiropractic

visits will coincide with:visits will coincide with: How quickly your body learns The effects of your work and play activities How compliant you are with exercises and

changes prescribed by your chiropractor

Who should see a Who should see a chiropractor?chiropractor?

Everyone should have their spine evaluated by a Doctor of

Chiropractic.

WHY…?WHY…?

Because it’s not about symptoms, it’s about optimal function!

Symptoms…Symptoms… Often indicate a healthy response Often are absent in the presence of disease Treating symptoms does not necessarily

address the problem Masking symptoms may delay appropriate

treatment while significant damage is being done…why wait?

Chiropractic notes that the Chiropractic notes that the body is capable of healing and body is capable of healing and

looks to the looks to the causes causes of a of a patient’s symptoms...patient’s symptoms...

We do not seek to mask the symptoms!

If you have poor spinal If you have poor spinal mechanics, and these mechanics, and these changes affect nerves, changes affect nerves,

muscles and other muscles and other tissues...tissues...

How well is your body really running?

Poor mechanics in your Poor mechanics in your spine can lead to:spine can lead to:

Abnormal wear and tear (arthritic conditions)

Activation of the body’s “alarm system”

Poor posture Reduced overall performance All without symptoms!

If these problems are not If these problems are not addressed they can lead to:addressed they can lead to:

Reduced movement and flexibility…movement is life!

Degenerative processes Pain syndromes

Your car will run even if Your car will run even if your wheels are out of your wheels are out of

alignment...alignment...

After 15,000 miles, how well is it running even if the car appears to be fine?

How much damage has to be done before your car starts to act up?

Wouldn’t it be best Wouldn’t it be best to to preventprevent these these

things rather than things rather than wait for them to wait for them to

occur and then try occur and then try to fix them?to fix them?

It is much easier to fix a It is much easier to fix a small problem than it is to small problem than it is to

wait...wait...

We also address We also address the the body as a wholebody as a whole

because…because… How we think affects how we function What we eat affects how we function How we work, sit and sleep affects how we

function

A good diet, exercise and A good diet, exercise and positive mental attitude along positive mental attitude along

with chiropractic care can with chiropractic care can optimize your body’s potential.optimize your body’s potential.

Improve your performance and experience life to the fullest.

Get into chiropractic Get into chiropractic care...care...

Why wait?