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The word “subluxation” is thrown around quite a bit in the chiropractic field. If you’ve spent any amount of time in a chiropractic care facility or read up on the practice, then you might understand that subluxation is a reference to a misalignment of the spine. But what does it actually mean? What kind of negative effects might it have on your body? And how, ultimately, is it corrected? We’ll address these and other questions below.

First, what exactly constitutes a subluxation? How is it officially defined by licensed chiropractors? Simply put, a subluxation is a misalignment of the vertebrae that make up the spine. Vertebrae are not entirely stationary and may be dislocated slightly if exposed to certain stressors. Subluxation is not always the result of a major trauma. It can occur naturally due to minor irregular body movement, prolonged physical activity, or even gravity.

So, in what ways might a subluxated spine have negative effects on your body? There are several, and it’s important to understand why that is. The spine is a central part of your nervous system, which works behind the scenes to control your senses, thoughts, movements, and other bodily processes such as heartbeat and digestion. So if your spine is misaligned, the information that travels through the spinal cord cannot efficiently reach its destination or return to the brain. Here are a few of the ways subluxation can negatively impact your body:

1. Physical Pain. A dislocated vertebra can lead to physical health problems such as pain, tenderness, and headaches.
2. Emotional Instability. In extreme cases, untreated subluxations can lead to emotional issues such as anxiety and depression.
3. Immune Deficiency. While impaired, your body cannot fully or effectively fight infections. This means that your ability to defend against pathogens is severely decreased, and you are more likely to get sick.
4. Decreased Mental Capacity. A subluxated spine can lead to a foggy brain. You may find it difficult to concentrate on your work or other household tasks.

So how does one correct a subluxated spine? A chiropractor is trained in performing focused, unobtrusive manipulations to the spine. These manipulations, or adjustments, can push the vertebrae back into alignment without excess pain or discomfort. If you’re suffering the effects of subluxation, consider making an appointment with your local chiropractor. Dibella Chiropractic Center is located in Gastonia, NC. If you’re looking for a chiropractor to call home, we would love to have you. Give us a call or swing by our offices today!

When you go to the chiropractor, you are entrusting the doctors with your health and the health of your spine. You want someone who is knowledgeable and skilled in their field, someone who has put in the time and effort to be good at what they do. Fortunately, there are regulations in place that require a certain level of training and certification before one can begin their own practice. If you’re standing in a chiropractic care center, then you can rest assured that the doctors and nurses have completed the necessary prerequisites.

The North Carolina Board of Chiropractic Examiners (NCBOCE) is responsible for setting specific standards and fielding applicants in our state. So what are today’s requirements for receiving chiropractic licensure according to the NCBOCE, you may ask? Let’s take a closer look at the process.

• First things first, the proper educational background is essential. Applicants must submit proof that they have received a Doctor of Chiropractic Degree before applying for licensure in North Carolina. This should be presented in the form of an official college or university transcript.
• Applicants must also acquire three certificates of “Good Moral Character” for submission. These are equivalent to references, though the NCBOCE requires that two of the three references be from currently-licensed chiropractic physicians in good standing with the board.
• To ensure complete disclosure, as well as the safety and of future patients, the licensure application process requires that applicants undergo a background check. This includes a fingerprint-based scan of past criminal history.
• The National Board of Chiropractic Examiners (NBCE) administers an exam in four parts. These scores must be sent to the NCBOCE along with your licensure application, and the applicant must have received a passing score on each part in order to qualify.
• On top of everything, once the above materials have been acquired and submitted, an applicant must then take the NC Jurisprudence Presentation and Exam. This tests the applicant’s legal knowledge regarding the NC chiropractic system. The exam ensures a holistic and well-rounded knowledge of chiropractic care, with regard to ethics as well as health and wellness.

Indeed, the chiropractic licensing requirements in North Carolina are quite rigorous. The process contains a number of steps and requirements ultimately designed to ensure the patients’ safety and wellbeing. So, you can rest assured that your chiropractor is held to the highest of standards. If you’re looking for a chiropractor to call home, consider DiBella Chiropractic Center in Gastonia, NC. We would love to have you join our family!

A chiropractor specializes in correcting and realigning one’s spine. The spine is one of the most important parts of the body. Made up of many individual vertebrae, the spine surrounds and protects the spinal cord, which travels from your brain. Together, the brain and the spinal cord make up your central nervous system. This is the information highway of your body. Similarly, the peripheral nervous system is made up of nerves branching from the spinal cord to all parts of your body. As a whole, your nervous system is responsible for movement, speech, sensation, thoughts, and involuntary processes such as heartbeat and digestion.

The primary focus of the chiropractor is to keep that information highway running smooth, free of traffic jams. If any vertebrae are out of place or misaligned, that bone may cause a blockage. This, in turn, may have varying degrees of effect on the nervous system and the functions listed above: movement, speech, sensation, thoughts, and involuntary bodily processes.

When people think of symptoms that typify the presence of subluxation in their spine, they think back pain, headaches, numbness or loss of feeling, and decreased range of motion. But what about something as simple as digestion? Might your subluxation cause pain and discomfort in the stomach? Absolutely!

The reality is that your nervous system and your digestive system are closely connected. Whether you realize it or not, your nervous system is responsible for efficiently digesting the food you eat. Gastrointestinal issues are frequently associated with poor nutrition, including eating too much or eating the wrong kinds of food. But that’s not always the case. Occasionally, when our spine is misaligned, our digestive system may not work as efficiently as it should. Often, the misfiring of the nerves in our spine can prevent our body from absorbing some or all of the nutrients in the foods we eat. This makes them more difficult to digest, which may lead to gastrointestinal issues with symptoms such as cramps or general abdominal pain.

If you’re experiencing stomach troubles, you may not have to jump on that new diet just yet. It could be that your body is just processing your nutrition inefficiently. If that’s the case, see a chiropractor and explain your symptoms. Through a series of minor, unobtrusive spinal adjustments, they should be able to help restore full functionality back to your body. DiBella Chiropractic Center is located in Gastonia, NC. Stop by our offices or give us a call to make an appointment today!

Going to the chiropractor is wonderful for your overall health. By adjusting and re-aligning your spine, you are boosting your body’s natural defense mechanisms against aches, pains, and illness. A chiropractor is trained in the practice of spinal manipulation, so office adjustments are typically most effective.

But what about the time between appointments? Is there anything you can do to maintain your spinal health? There are, in fact, ways to keep yourself in shape from the comfort of your own home. Here is a list of exercises that you can try to maximize and lengthen the positive benefits of chiropractic care.

• The Cobra. This is one of the simplest poses physically, but it will give you a great stretch. Begin flat on your stomach, preferably on a yoga mat or other non-slip surface. Use your forearms to push your chest and head upwards. For maximum stretching, hold this pose at arm’s length with your hands flat on the ground.
• The Child’s Pose. The Cobra pose transitions nicely into the Child’s Pose. Ease yourself downward, and fold your legs under your body in a kneeling position. Hands still placed on the mat, stretch them forward as far as you can reach and bring your forehead to meet the ground in front of your knees. It’s recommended that you hold this pose for several minutes, allowing the tension in your spine to dissipate.
• Cat & Cow. Begin by kneeling on all fours, back parallel to the ground. Push your chest, stomach, and lower back forward and tilt your head backward to perform the cow stretch. Do the opposite to perform a cat stretch.
• Knees to chest. Begin by lying flat on your back. Bring both knees up toward your chest and hold them in place with your arms, stretching the lower back. Hold only one leg at a time to perform an additional stretch. With one knee raised, turn toward your other leg and lower your raised knee to the ground.
• Pelvic bridge. Like in the previous exercise, you will begin laying flat on your back. Raise your legs so that your feet are resting flat on the ground, and ensure your arms are resting on the ground parallel to your body. Use your arms to lift your lower back off the ground. Hold this pose for several seconds, lower, then repeat for several reps.

It’s true, chiropractic adjustments are beneficial to your health. But you can continue to improve your wellness at home with these simple exercises. Spend 10-15 minutes every day with these stretches, and you may find that your spine doesn’t need quite as much correction when it comes time for your next adjustment. If you’re looking for a chiropractor to call home, DiBella Chiropractic Center in Gastonia, NC would be happy to work alongside you. Contact us today and schedule an appointment today!