Chiropractor in San Clemente

Because of its underlying health philosophy, chiropractic is a medical system that is particularly well-suited to sports and the health needs of athletes of all kinds. A natural (drug-free and non-surgical) system, chiropractic is based on the importance of maintaining optimal functioning of all the systems of the body.

Since the focus of Chiropractic care is the structure of the body as a whole (not just the injured part), chiropractors are able to identify (and correct) structural imbalances that may impede optimal athletic performance. The detection and correction of such structural imbalances can help to prevent sports injuries as well.

Prenatal chiropractic care can help to avoid or relieve many of the primary complaints of pregnant women such as muscle strains, back, pelvis and neck pain. By establishing pelvic balance and proper spinal alignment and maintaining optimal function of the woman’s nervous system, chiropractic care is a safe, drug-free option for making pregnancies and deliveries easier and healthier, for both the mother and the baby.

Many common pregnancy problems are primarily due to changes that affect the pelvic and spinal ligaments, muscles, joints and other supportive soft tissues. In some cases, they lead to misalignments of the pelvic and spinal structures, and may affect the normal spinal curvature of the expectant mother. The majority of such pregnancy-related pain conditions will quickly disappear with chiropractic care.

Regardless of how young or old a person is, vertebrae can become misaligned.  When this happens, it can produce pressure or irritation to nerves that may cause them to malfunction (known as a “subluxation”). Interference in the nervous system caused by a misaligned or malfunctioning spine may result in tissues and organs not functioning properly – at any age. 

Children undergo a number of physical stresses, starting with possible birth trauma (difficult labors, forceps and vacuum extraction births, C-sections etc), to early infancy falls, tumbles and accidents, to sports juries in older children.

You may think of a chiropractor as someone who will ease your back pain, but in fact, a chiropractor does much more than that. In order to receive the proper care you need, your chiropractor will need a complete medical history and a picture of your current health status.

On your first visit, expect to spend at least 30 minutes to discuss any health issues. If you have a copy of x-rays or radiology reports, you will need to give them to your chiropractor to review. He or she may want to give you a general physical and take your blood pressure, reflexes, breathing and an analysis of your posture.

Chiropractors and medical doctors are vastly different in their treatments and methods of pain and illness. The most significant difference is that medical doctors use medication and surgery to solve problems, while chiropractors use natural methods using no drugs, medication or surgery.

Of course, chiropractors are not miracle workers and cannot solve every problem; nor can a medical doctor, but there are instances when drugs or surgery is the only option. An examination by a chiropractor for things like faulty metabolism, excess spinal fluid, or defective nerve fibers, for which they will not be able to provide effective treatment and you may need to see a medical doctor.

When most people think of chiropractors, they think of relief from back or neck pain. In reality, a chiropractor deals with much more than just ease your back pain.

For instance, if you have foot pain, a chiropractor that specializes in orthotics will be able to assess your situation. You may need to have a custom made orthotic. A typical assessment will include a discussion of your medical history, a gait analysis, a weight bearing and non-weight bearing examination, foam casting, and a recommendation on the best suited orthotic for your situation.

If you suffer from chronic pain, a chiropractor may be able to help by using a holistic, natural approach to pain relief.

The main theory behind the practice of chiropractics is that all illness, pain and disease originate within your central nervous system. Nerves send signals to the rest of your body via your spinal cord. If your spinal cord or joints are out of alignment, it puts pressure on your joints and muscles causing pain. A chiropractor’s job, then, is to re-align your spine and get everything back into its proper place. This allows your nerves to function properly with your brain, and your body can heal itself naturally.

Even though chiropractor students and medical students start out by taking similar studies, by their third and fourth years, they are learning vastly different things. Chiropractors take a holistic approach to healing and believe that your spine controls all of your nerves, tissues and joints. They believe that if your spine is out of alignment it causes undue pressure and pain and causes all kinds of illness and disease. When your spine is manipulated back into alignment, the pressure and pain is relieved, all of your joints, nerves and tissues are doing what they are supposed to, and your body can heal itself naturally.