Structure affects function

The practice of chiropractic focuses on the spine to alleviate neural (nerve) and articular irritation (joint) in an effort to restore or preserve health . This is the essence of chiropractic, this is what also separates a chiropractic adjustment from a joint manipulation performed by other professions. This is also why chiropractors perform x-rays so that we can look at things such as alignment issues and arthritic conditions. By looking at plain film x-rays we can identify physical damage to the spine caused from improper biomechanics, trauma, or poor posture and locate the areas of the spine that need corrected. Nerves carry information from the body to the spinal cord and finally to the brain. Likewise the brain controls all the functions of the human body by sending messages through the spine and out through the nerves. When nerve irritation is present from misaligned vertebra or physical damage to the spine by way of degenerative joint disease then the function of those nerves is affected and ultimately decreased.