Chiropractic: The Greek Meaning

I love the study of words.  It’s a strange obsession.  To satisfy my craving, I receive  a daily e-mail called A.Word.A.Day by Anu Garg, and I was wondering today as I read my word of the day (manichean…if you’re curious) what are the root words for chiropractic, my beloved profession.

CHIROPRACTIC comes from the Greek words “praxis” and “cheir“, meaning to practice or to treat using hands.  It’s kind of amazing when you think about it.  Doctors who do not use drugs or chemicals; doctors who leverage the body’s ability to heal itself.  When I think about my profession in this way, I feel so proud to be a doctor of chiropractic!  (I’m smiling as I type.)

I have never appreciated my hands so much!  I have amazing hands that heal…

Co-Treating Patients: Massage Therapists and Doctors of Chiropractic

Dr. Misty Funk, owner of Tranquility Chiropractic Studio, is interested in developing relationships with massage therapists in order to provide better treatment for her patients. Her goal is to co-treat clients who could benefit from the combination of massage and chiropractic. “It is my goal to work in conjunction with therapist to provide overall healing for patients,” states Dr. Funk.

“As a chiropractor, massage provides great benefits to the patient. Patients who receive regular massages respond more quickly to chiropractic treatment. Patient’s also tend to be less anxious and more ready to receive chiropractic adjustment after a relaxing massage, and adjustments can have a longer lasting effect when muscle tension is released,” she states.When we combine our services and work to address a patient’s multi-faceted problem, the patient will experience a decrease in the time it takes to heal, an increase in the results, and an increase in their quality of life.

(Massage Therapists) Have you have ever treated a client you suspect had an underlying problem? You can feel muscle tightness and pain, but you detect there may be something more to their pain? As a massage therapist, if you detect any of the following, you may have a client who could benefit from combined treatment of massage therapy and chiropractic care.

• Trauma (Falls, Car Accidents, Direct Blows, etc.)
• Pinpoint bony tenderness over the spine
• Painful range of motion of the spine
• Significant scoliosis observed during treatment
• Potential spinal instability

Dr. Misty Funk specializes in the treatment of headaches, neck and back pain. Dr. Funk uses techniques specific to the area of pain including: manual therapy (myofascial release, ART, trigger point therapy), stretching, manipulation, and rehabilitation. She is committed to send each referral given to her back to their massage therapist. To learn more about her, please visit her website at www.TranquilityCS.com.

October is National Chiropractic Month!

Small Changes Can Have Big Impact on Overall Health

Says American Chiropractic Association

This October, during National Chiropractic Month, the American Chiropractic Association (ACA) is encouraging families to make simple changes in an effort to improve their overall health and well-being.

“Making small consistent changes are the keys to achieving better health,” says Dr. Misty Funk of Tranquility Chiropractic Studio. “Chiropractic, because of its focus on prevention, can play an integral role in helping Americans improve their health.”

Doctors of chiropractic are trained and licensed to serve as primary care doctors, Dr. Funk notes. “They stress preventive protocols such as, dietary and nutritional counseling, exercise, rehabilitation and ergonomics.”

Dr. Funk and ACA recommend the following health tips.

• Exercise daily
• Control your weight
• Commit to proper nutrition
• Avoid smoking or other tobacco products
• Use alcohol in moderation
• Control any chronic diseases or disorders (including high blood pressure, diabetes, or high levels of cholesterol).

Doctors of chiropractic provide drug-free, non-invasive treatment options for many types of pain and inflammation. For example, chronic back pain, neck pain, joint pain and headaches can often be reduced with the appropriate combination of chiropractic manipulation, rehabilitative exercises and lifestyle counseling – all of which are offered by doctors of chiropractic in a patient’s personalized treatment plan.

“Consumers also should know that chiropractic treatment is a covered benefit in virtually all traditional insurance policies,” adds Dr. Funk. “As many as 87 percent of all insured American workers have coverage for chiropractic services in their existing health care plans.”

A significant amount of evidence has shown that the use of chiropractic care for certain conditions can be more effective than traditional medical care, with many patients feeling improvement shortly after their first chiropractic visit.

This October, during National Chiropractic Month, talk with a doctor of chiropractic about ways you can achieve better health. “Doctors of chiropractic believe that prevention is the key to health and wellness. Discover how treatment by your local doctor of chiropractic can not only improve your spinal health, but also start you on the road to wellness.”

Dr. Funk is working in collaboration with the American Chiropractic Association to observe National Chiropractic Month. For more information on chiropractic or any of the tips mentioned above please contact Dr. Funk at (512) 788-3366 or visit the ACA Web site: http://www.ACAtoday.org.