By Dr. Timothy Pence
Greenbrier Chiropractic Center, Lewisburg

At the core of Chiropractic is the musculoskeletal system. This includes the bones, muscles, and other connecting tissues that holds the bones together at joints. Of most importance are the bones of the spine, the vertebrae.

In addition to the skull consisting of the cranial bones, the vertebrae protect the body’s primary communication system – the brain and its extension into the spinal cord and branches into the spinal nerves.

The vertebrae provide this protection of the deeper lying nervous system while also allowing extraordinary body and head mobility. Supporting the spine are multiple layers of connecting structures that are richly endowed with sensory receptors that send information back to the spinal and brain centers. This continuously flow and feedback of information enables the nervous system to control and coordinate posture and movement.

For many and various reasons including injury, vertebral misalignment and a resultant interference in the nervous system can occur. The specialty of the Chiropractor is in the detection and then correction (adjustment) of the spinal or cranial misalignment. The goal of Chiropractic treatment is to reduce or eliminate interference to the body’s primary communication system.  Reducing pain is actually a secondary goal but is usually coincident with reduced interference to the nervous system.

“The doctor of the future will give no medicine, but will interest his patients in the care of the human frame, diet and the cause and prevention of disease.” —Thomas A. Edison (1847-1931)