Chiropractic philosophy recognizes that spinal misalignments alter many critical functions by compressing the nervous system, comprised of the brain, cranial nerves, spinal cord and spinal nerves. Skeletal imbalance often causes pain, numbness and tingling, in addition to a dysfunction and disease of target organs and tissues. Chiropractors determine the location and nature of these misalignments and correct them.

The chiropractic approach to health care is holistic, stressing the patient's overall health and wellness. It recognizes that many factors affect health, including exercise, diet, rest, environment, and heredity. Chiropractors employ postural and spinal analyses as components of their diagnostic overview and treatment plan.

This approach uses natural, drugless, nonsurgical health treatments, and relies upon the body's inherent recuperative abilities. As the interference is eliminated between brain and body, function of all structures is enhanced. To support the therapy received at the doctor's office, practitioners frequently recommend lifestyle changes - in eating, exercise, and sleeping habits, for example - to their patients. When appropriate, chiropractors consult with and refer patients to other health practitioners.

Like all physicians, chiropractors take a case history, conduct physical, neurological, and orthopedic examinations, and may order laboratory tests, x- rays and other diagnostic imaging to further assess the patient's condition. A diagnosis is then made, and a treatment plan is designed to meet the patient's needs.

Many chiropractors use hot and cold packs, massage, ultrasound, electrical muscle stimulation and traction to help loosen and relax the supporting connective tissue preparatory to adjusting the skeletal system. They may also apply orthotics, such as straps, tapes, and braces to support the therapy provided during the patient's office visit.

Some chiropractors, upon graduation, extend their formal education to become board certified in a specialty. They may then choose to focus on treatment of sports injuries, neurology, orthopedics, nutrition, internal disorders, diagnostic imaging or other areas. Chiropractors may be sole or group practitioners who also have the administrative responsibilities of running a practice.

Dr. Steve McElmury is a board certified Doctor of Chiropractic, and is licensed in the states of New Mexico and California. He is a 1976 graduate of Cleveland Chiropractic College in Los Angeles.