The Science & Philosophy of Chiropractic Care

Chiropractors have a distinctive philosophy regarding how the body works and a special approach to healing it. While most people associate chiropractic medicine with back and neck pain, they have experience with a wide variety of ailments. To gain further insight into this area of medicine we spoke with representatives of three chiropractic practices in Union County — Alex and Wendy Lyubarsky, of A&W Chiropractic in Cranford; Dr. Chris Trainor, of Trainor Family Chiropractic in Scotch Plains; and Dr. Frederick Pine, of Pine Chiropractic Associates in Springfield. Though the interviews were conducted separately, the
knowledge gained can be put together to form a more complete understanding of chiropractic health care.

By Jennifer Sinclair

“Much of what chiropractors do is correct something called spinal subluxation,” explains Dr. Pine. “Very simply, a subluxation is a vertebra that has moved out of its normal place. When this occurs, it causes interference with the proper function of the nervous system.”

But what does the nervous system have to do with the spine, and vice versa? Dr. Lyubarsky explains further, “The nervous system, which is closely linked with the immune system, is the messenger for the brain to control every organ, cell, and system of our body. Since the nervous system, which is so vital to our health, is housed and protected within the spine, it is very important for us to take care and maintain the spine. This care will, in turn, allow the body to have proper motion between the joints of the spine, which will improve the way the body functions.”

CONSERVATIVE CARE
Chiropractic treatment is very different from the treatment you would receive from a medical physician. Dr. Trainor explains, “Chiropractic is a low-impact, conservative approach to health care. You begin with the most conservative approach to healthcare and, if needed, progress toward a minimally invasive approach, then more invasive and so on. Chiropractic first, medicine second, surgery last.”

Dr. Trainor’s words reflect the philosophy of many chiropractors; healing of the body starts from within. Medicine and surgery should only be used as a last resort.

Dr. Lyubarsky confirms, “The body is very powerful and its first instinct is to heal itself.”

That is not to say, however, that chiropractors intend for their care to replace the care of a physician. “Obviously,” Dr. Trainor cautions, “life-threatening situations may require a different approach.”

Chiropractic care takes time. It is not intended to replace a visit to the emergency department or a physician when warranted. “In many cases during my career I have found it necessary to refer patients for medical care if I felt that I could not help them chiropractically.” Dr. Lyubarsky adds, “Each person needs to consider the advice of [his or her] health care team and make the decision that is best for [his or her] body.”

IS CHIROPRACTIC RIGHT FOR YOU?
Now that you know a little bit about what chiropractic care involves, you’re probably wondering if, and when, you should visit a chiropractor. The answer? “I have been in practice for over four decades,” says Dr. Pine, “I have taken care of three generations of families including infants, children and adults.”

Dr. Trainor emphasizes, “If you have a spine, you should get checked!”

Perhaps the biggest misconception about chiropractors is that they offer merely short-term solutions for injury-related pain. Dr. Lyubarsky says that many of his patients suffer with chronic lower back pain, neck pain and headaches. Dr. Trainor adds shoulder pain, hip pain, numbness in the hands and feet, and even allergies to the list of ailments he has treated.

“This spring I had alot of parents bringing kids in with allergies,” Dr. Trainor says. “I’m not an allergist, but the spine is the root system of the body and when that is working properly, your overall health improves.”

The causes of the various ailments that most chiropractors treat can be, trauma, auto injuries, athletic injuries, physical or emotional stress, or even simple activities of daily living, according to Dr. Pine.

However, as Dr. Trainor explains, chiropractic care is not just for treating these injuries. “Many patients also seek chiropractic care in order to maintain their health,” he says. “Symptoms can be the last thing to appear, so it is a good idea to get checked before you have a complaint.”

In fact, all the chiropractors we spoke with agreed that your spinal health should be an ongoing concern, like getting a regular check-up from your physician or dentist. “If we were able to see the condition of our spine like we are able to see our teeth,” says Dr. Lyubarsky, “we would probably take better care of it.” Dr. Pine adds, “The
public understands the value of lifetime dental care. They were taught by the dental profession that taking care of their teeth is extremely important for their health and that they should return for periodic dental check-ups. The chiropractic profession would like to educate the public on the importance of having regular spinal check-ups, even though they are not having symptoms. Chiropractic care should start from birth and continue throughout a lifetime.”

YOUR HEALTH IS IN YOUR HANDS
Chiropractic care is only one aspect of gaining and maintaining your health. All of the chiropractors we interviewed recommended getting a good night’s sleep, eating healthy foods and getting plenty of exercise.

“The human body is a self-regulating system,” says Dr. Trainor. “It has the ability to heal and balance itself.”

Dr. Pine adds that “taking vitamin supplements and having a positive mental attitude,” are also key factors.

Dr. Trainor says minimizing unhealthy habits such as drinking alcohol and smoking are also important to overall health. Dr. Trainor cautions that lifestyle changes cannot guarantee a healthy spine, so they should be done in conjunction with chiropractic visits to achieve the full benefits.

“Chiropractic care is most effective when done in conjunction with other healthy lifestyle choices,” he notes.

BENEFITS TO BODY AND MIND
The most obvious benefits of chiropractic care are the physical ones, which go far beyond alleviated spinal pain. “Adjustments of the vertebrae have an influence on neurological function, lymphatic drainage, blood flow, muscle tension and immune function,” says Dr. Pine. Chiropractors also often help with posture, and Dr. Lyubarsky notes that “studies have shown that a person’s posture has an effect on their heart and lung functions as well.”

In addition to the physical benefits, most people agree that chiropractic care can have mental and emotional benefits as well. “It produces improvement not only in the reduction of pain,” says Dr. Pine, “but more importantly, it improves the quality of life.”

How so? Your physical health can affect your stress level, which in turn can affect your mood and behavior in all aspects of your life, according to our local experts. Dr. Trainor tells us, “Chiropractors deal with the structure of the body as it relates to function every day.”

That is to say, if you’re healthier, you will function better all around. Above all, says Dr. Pine, “Chiropractic is a proactive science, art and philosophy that allows the body to function at its optimum potential.” Or, as Dr. Lyubarsky puts it, “A strong body will take the mind wherever it decides to go.”

LOW-FORCE CHIROPRACTIC ADJUSTING
Low-force adjustments are a great way to experience the results of chiropractic without the same force and “popping” noise with can accompany a manual adjustment. Low force techniques are perfect for the young, old, those with restricted mobility or anyone uneasy about being adjusted by other techniques.

There are a couple types of low-force adjusting techniques that chiropractors use. The first utilizes an adjusting tool called an Activator. The second one uses a special adjusting table that has sections that can be raised, and drop down when an adjustment is delivered. Both methods of low-force adjusting serve the same purpose, to correct a vertebral subluxation. A subluxation is when a misaligned vertebra puts pressure on an adjacent spinal nerve and causes interference with the nerve impulse meant to travel through that nerve. Since nerve impulses are actually messages from the brain that travel down the spinal cord and out through spinal nerves to every tissue, muscle and organ in the body, it is important for these messages to reach their target area without interference. This allows the body to function the way it should and be able to fully express health.

Low-force techniques are suitable on all vertebral and extremity joints within the body and produce the same beneficial results as other techniques.

Trainor Family Chiropractic; 1915-A
Westfield Ave., Scotch Plains, NJ;
908-490-1667;
www.TrainorFamilyChiropractic.com