Balance Chiropractic

ANATOMY and ChiroTERMS:

Vertebral column:
The 33 vertebrae fit together to form a flexible, yet extraordinarily tough, column that serves to support the back through a full range of motion. It also protects the spinal cord, which runs from the brain through the hollow space in the middle of the vertebral column. There are seven cervical (C1-C7), 12 thoracic (T1-T12), five lumbar (L1-L5), five sacral (S1- S5),and four coccygeal vertebrae in this column, each separated by intervertebral discs.

Cervical vertebrae:
There are seven vertebrae in the cervical or neck area of the spine.

Thoracic vertebrae:
There are twelve vertebrae in the thoracic or upper-back portion of the spine.

Lumbar vertebrae:
The five bones in the lower-back portion of the spine.

Sacrum:
The triangular bone that serves as a base for the spinal column and connects the pelvic bones.

Muscle:
Tissue specialized for contraction.

Ligament:
A band of fibrous tissue that connects bones or cartilages, serving to support and strengthen joints.

Tendon:
A fibrous, strong, connective tissue that connects muscle to bone. The laceration of a tendon can result in the inability to flex or extend at a joint.

Nervous System:
The entire integrated system of nerve tissue in the body: the brain, brainstem, spinal cord, nerves and ganglia.
>>See below for more details

Brain:
One of the two components of the central nervous system, the brain is the center of thought and emotion. It is responsible for the coordination and control of bodily activities and the interpretation of information from the senses (sight, hearing, smell, etc.).

Spinal Cord:
Elongated, cylindrical part of the central nervous system that lies in the vertebral canal and from which the spinal nerves emerge.

Posture:
The position of the limbs or the carriage of the body as a whole.

Extremity:
A limb, an arm or leg, sometimes applied specifically to a hand or foot.

Intervertebral Disc (IVD):
The intervertebral disc is a fibro-cartilaginous cushion that lies between the vertebral bodies in the spine. These disks are composed of a central gelatinous-like material that provide a cushioning or shock absorbing quality to the spinal column to axial stress. Discs may herniate or rupture, resulting in a condition known as a radiculopathy.

Musculoskeletal:
Referring to structures involving tendons, muscles, ligaments, and joints.

Nerve root:
One of the two nerve bundles emerging from the spinal cord that join to form a segmental spinal nerve.

Bone:
Bone is the substance that forms the skeleton of the body. It is composed chiefly of calcium phosphate and calcium carbonate. It also serves as a storage area for calcium, playing a large role in calcium balance in the blood. The 206 bones in the body serve several other purposes. They support and protect internal organs (for example, the skull protects the brain and the ribs protect the lungs). Muscles pull against bones to make the body move. Bone marrow, the soft, spongy tissue in the center of many bones, makes and stores blood cells.

Immune system:
A complex system that is responsible for distinguishing us from everything foreign to us, and for protecting us against infections and foreign substances. The immune system works to seek and kill invaders.

Lordosis:
Inward curvature of the spine. Normally, for example, the low back demonstrates lordosis. The spine is not supposed to be absolutely straight, so some degree of curvature is normal. When the curve exceeds the usual range, it may be due to musculoskeletal disease or simple poor posture. Also known as swayback.

Kyphosis:
Outward curvature of the spine, causing a humped back.

Acute back pain:
Back pain that lasts a short while, usually a few days to several weeks. Episodes lasting longer than three months are not considered acute.

Chronic back pain:
Back pain episode that lasts more than three months.

Mobilization:
Method of manipulation, movement, or stretching to increase range of motion in muscles and joints that does not involve a high-velocity thrust.

Cavitation:
Pop that occurs in a spinal joint when vertebral surfaces (facets) are separated to create a vacuum that pulls in nitrogen gas.

Spinal "adjustment":
A chiropractic term that most chiropractors use to describe whatever method(s) they use to correct spinal problems, whether by hand or with an instrument. Some equate the terms "adjustment" and "manipulation."

Nutrition:
The science or practice of taking in and utilizing foods.

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Your Spinal Column & Nervous System

Your spinal column is made up of 24 vertebrae: 7 in your neck (cervical spine), 12 in your midback (thoracic spine) and 5 in your lower back (lumbar spine). Your spinal cord, which is made up of billions of nerves, lies inside your spinal column, protected on all sides by bone. Your spinal cord’s nerves branch out through openings between your vertebrae and connect to your internal organs, muscles, joints, ligaments, tendons and other body parts. This connection is vital for your well-being.

The vertebral subluxation complex, an often painless spinal alteration, can irritate or damage your spinal nerves, interfere with your brain-body connection and affect your spine, nerves, discs, muscles, organs and overall health. Doctors of chiropractic specialize in the detection and correction of the vertebral subluxation complex - restoring the lines of communication within your body and improving your overall body function, healing potential and well-being.

C1: To blood supply to the head, pituitary gland, scalp, bones of the face, brain inner and middle ear, sympathetic nervous system, eyes, ears
C2: To eyes, optic nerves, auditory nerves, sinuses, mastoid bones, tongue, forehead, heart
C3: To cheeks, outer ear, face, bones, teeth, trifacial nerve, lungs
C4: To nose, lips, mouth, Eustachian tube, mucus membranes, lungs
C5: To vocal cords, neck glands, pharynx
C6: To neck muscles, shoulders, tonsils
C7: Tothyroid gland, bursa in the shoulders, elbows
T1: To arms from the elbows down, including hands, arms, wrists and fingers; esophagus and trachea, heart
T2: To heart, including its valves and covering coronary arteries; lungs bronchial tubes
T3: To lungs, bronchial tubes, pleura, chest, breast, heart
T4: To gallbladder, common duct, heart, lungs, bronchial tubes
T5: To liver, solar plexus, circulation (general), heart, esophagus, stomach
T6: To stomach, esophagus, peritoneum, liver, duodenum
T7: To kidneys, appendix, testes, ovaries, uterus, adrenal cortex, spleen, pancreas, large intestine
T8: To spleen, stomach, liver, pancreas, gallbladder, adrenal cortex, small intestine, pyloric valve
T9: To adrenal cortex, pancreas, spleen, gallbladder, ovaries, uterus, small intestine
T10: To kidneys, appendix, testes, ovaries, uterus, adrenal cortex, spleen, pancreas, large intestine
T11: To kidneys, ureters, large intestine, urinary bladder, adrenal medulla, adrenal cortex, uterus, ovaries, ileocecal valve
T12: To small intestine, lymph circulation, large intestine, urinary bladder, uterus, kdneys, ileocecal valve
L1: To large intesine, inguinal rings, uterus
L2: To appendix, abdomen, upper leg, urinary bladder
L3: To sex organs, uterus, bladder, knee, prostate, large intestine
L4: To prostate gland, muscles of the lower back, sciatic nerve
L5: To lower legs, ankles, feet, prostate
Sacrum: To hip bones, buttocks, rectum, sex organs, genitalia, urinary bladder, ureter, prostate
Sacral Plexus: Forms the sciatic as well as other nerves that go to muscles, joints and other structures of the legs, knees, ankles, feet and toes
Coccyx: To rectum, anus