Basically, chiropractic is a way of adjusting the bones in the entire spinal column for proper alignment. This is important because when vertebrae are slightly out of place (what a chiro calls a subluxation), it puts pressure on the spinal cord and the large spinal nerves that branch off from it. Pressure on those nerves causes the muscles to which they're attached to spasm, which can in turn can pull the vertebrae even further out of place. It can turn into be a vicious cycle which really affects your health since the nervous system is the main control system for everything in the entire body.

The chiropractor uses his hands or a little plunger type device to gently move the bones back into their proper place, which is called an adjustment. Sometimes it's accompanied by a loud cracking sound, similar to when someone cracks their knuckles. That can be startling at first, but it usually feels so much better right away that it's a very small price to pay. Most chiro's also use other techniques too, like application of heat or cold, massage with a vibrator, electrical stimulation, ultrasound, etc. It's all aimed at trying to break the cycle of pain and getting everything back to the way it should be for optimal functioning.

Chiropractic has really helped me a lot over the past several years. It's totally non-invasive and doesn't hurt (like what regular doctors do to you), so what have you got to lose by trying it?!