Since its beginning, chiropractic has been based on the scientific fact that the nervous system controls the function of every cell, tissue, organ, and system of your body.

While the brain is protected by the skull, the spinal cord is more vulnerable, covered by 24 moving vertebrae. When these bones lose their normal motion or position, they can irritate the nervous system. This disrupts the function of tissues or organs these nerves control, and is called the Vertebral Subluxation Complex.

Chiropractic is the science of locating these areas of spinal malfunction, the art of correcting them and the philosophy of things natural.

Besides the science and art, chiropractic has a philosophical aspect. Chiropractic doctors recognize that regardless of the type of doctor you consult, doctors don't heal, only the body can heal itself. So your chiropractic doctor's main purpose is to reduce interference to your inborn healing ability.

The word adjustment described hundreds of ways of using carefully directed and controlled pressure to restore spinal bones to a more normal position and motion. When spinal function is improved, nervous system function (health) can improve too.

After years of training, chiropractic doctors become experts at using just the right amount of force in the right direction. This may require a quick movement or in other instances a slow and constant pressure.

Dr. Jensen, D.C. uses all of these skills to help your body heal naturally. Your first visit is a good time to ask questions and learn how the complex spine and nervous system controls your bodies ability to enjoy total health.

Dr. Jensen specializes in the evaluation and non-surgical, drug free treatment of structural imbalances in the body, with special emphasis put on the spine and its effects on the nervous system. Dr. Jensen and his staff at Lafayette Chiropractic look forward to proViding you with quality evaluations and the best alternative health care.

On your first visit to the chiropractor, you will be asked to complete a simple Patient Health History form. This will provide your doctor with some of the necessary information to begin evaluating your health problems.

The doctor will then review your Patient Health History with you, and take a complete history of your specific health complaints.

Next your doctor will begin your health examination. This usually begins with your height, weight and blood pressure. Your doctor will also check your ability to stand, walk, move your spine, arms and legs. Orthopedic and neurological tests may be performed, including reflexes and tests of muscular strength.

Spinal X-rays or other tests may be ordered, if suggested by the findings of your history and examination.

Your doctor will then review all of this material with you and your family, and explain the meaning of the examination and test results. He will explain to you if your condition is likely to benefit from chiropractic care. If not, then he will recommend a different health care provider for you.

The treatment approach to be used in your case will then be presented. Most of the time this includes spinal manipulation, sometimes called spinal adjustment. This is a procedure where by the doctor will position and move the bones of the spine, arms or legs, in order to re-align or balance any distortions found in examination.

A thorough explanation and complete treatment plan will be presented and reviewed with you before your care is begun. You will be encouraged to ask questions to ensure that you are knowledgeable about your condition, comfortable with the treatments you are to receive and familiar with the expected outcome. Different modalities, such as heat, cold, electrical muscle stimulation, massage or traction may also be used to help control your pain and maximize the effects of the adjustment. Dietary review and therapeutic exercises may also be incorporated into your care.

Homeopathy had its beginning in the 1800's with Dr. Samuel Hahnemann of Germany. He became aware that his patients did not stay well after treatment, but always seemed to return with new and often graver symptoms of disease. This discouraged him to the point that he closed his practice of medicine, and turned to translating as a means of income. While working on a Materia Medica, he questioned the author's reasoning behind the action of quinine on malaria.

Hahnemann had read of Hippocrates' observation that small amounts of herbs tended to cure the same symptoms as they Rrodu_ced in higher, toxic doses. Being a fervent scientist, he decided to experiment by taking the medicine himself.

After several doses, he found he developed the symptoms of malaria! He knew that giving quinine to persons suffering from malaria could cure them. Thus, he had rediscovered the age old principle of "Like cures like" ... that substances, when given repeatedly to healthy people, cause symptoms similar to those of a disease state; and these substances, given in minute doses, will heal the same set of symptoms when they occur in a sick person. Homeopathy is based on this principle.

Hahnemann began to study the effects of other substances on himself and others; the results were carefully recorded. Extensive studies revealed symptoms pictures or images of many substances now used in homeopath treatment.

Homeopathy treats the whole person, not a specific disease entity. An extensive case taking begins the process of treatment. After ascertaining the characteristics, personality, likes and dislikes of a person, and the unique ways in which he or she experience disease, a remedy is carefully chosen that acts most similarly to that person and their symptoms.

Symptoms of illness are felt to an expression of the body's effort to rid itself of disease. Homeopathy does not seek to superficially suppress these healing efforts. Instead, it is directed towards the underlying causes of the symptoms. Homeopathy aims to stimulate the body's own vital force to do this work of restoring a healthy, balanced state, thus promoting the natural process of healing from within outward.

Thus, Homeopathy is holistic and non-suppressive. It is also non-toxic. The remedies used are natural substances of plant, animal and mineral origin. Hahnemann found that he could dilute them and thereby ease the harshness of the symptoms they caused when given in their crude form. He also discovered that when accompanied by a special process known as succussion, the dilution of remedies actually seemed to make them more potent. Today most remedies are diluted one part in 10, six to one hundred thousand times! The diluted solution is then poured over tiny lactose granules for administration.

Once you have received a remedy, it requires special care and handling. Before taken, it can be destroyed by excess heat and strong odors. Therefore, it is essential not to expose the packet or granules to extremes of temperature, cigarette smoke perfume, lipstick, menthol, chapstick, toothpaste, mentholated cough drops, gasoline, onions, bleach or any other strong odors. Keep the remedy in a cool, dry place (not the refrigerator) before taking.

Do not eat, drink or smoke for at least 15 minutes before and after taking your remedy. Don't eat strong foods, smoke, chew gum, or use toothpaste before taking your remedy. To take your remedy, pour the granules onto the clean, dry palm of your hand and transfer them to your tongue. Let them dissolve there. Take only the number of doses recommended. A few granules (5 to 20) taken at a time, constitutes one dose.

Once in your system, the remedy can be neutralized (be made ineffective) by c;:~ffein~ and camRhor even months or years afterwards. Therefore, you must avoid coffee, various aspirin compounds and other headache preparations containing caffeine, as well as camphor-containing products such as Vicks, Ben-Gay, Caladryl and other skin liniments; Tiger Balm, Chapstick and other lip balms, cough lozenges; nail polish and moth balls. Check labels to be sure

The response to remedies varies with the individual. It is usually gradual and gentle. When chronic disease is present, an aggravation of symptoms can occur; this is viewed as a good sign, the sign of a healing crisis, indicating that the body is responding to the remedy's stimulus.

Since the remedy does nothing more than mobilize your body's own healing power, obviously the stronger this power is the faster and gentler the results will be. You can strengthen your healing power by reducing the stresses in your life. We recommend that you limit your smoking, drinking, sugar and red meat. For more information on nutrition we recommend Are You Confused by Paavo Airola.

It is important to refrain from treating any symptom that develops after taking the remedy, as this can interfere with the healing action stimulated by your own remedy. Also, involvement in other therapies such as polarity, acupuncture, etc. has been shown to antidote remedies.

Changes on the mental, emotional and physical !evel are used to evaluate the action of a remedy in your system. An improvement in energy level or your ability to cope, as well as the decline of physical symptoms are good signs that the remedy is working. It is helpful to note changes in these areas and record their progress before your follow-up visit.

Homeopathy believes in the minimum dose-a minute amount of the remedy is given, and the effects are observed until a repetition in change of remedy seems indicated. Many of the remedies are very slow and deep acting. Therefore, it is not unusual for a single dose of a remedy to be all that is needed for weeks or even months.

Many studies show that massage can help in reducing neck and back pain, and improve muscle flexibility and tone and increase circulation throughout the body.

• Faster healing time from injuries and illness
• Decreases muscular deterioration
• Increases flexibility and range of motion
• Relief of muscle tension
• Relief of tension related headaches
• Increases tissue metabolism
• Strengthened immune system
• Increases circulation
• Relaxed state of alertness
• Increased clear thinking

Practiced for over 2,500 years in China, Acupuncture is a technique in which skilled practitioners insert hair-thin needles into specific acupoints on the body to prevent or treat illness. It is based on the principle that there are patterns of energy flow called Qi (pronounced "chee") throughout the body, which are essential for optimal health. Imbalances in this natural flow of energy are thought to result in disease. There are thousands of acupoints along the meridians, which are associated with specific internal organs or organ systems. To strengthen the flow of qi, or remove blockages in the meridians acupuncturists insert these tiny needles just under the skin at specific acupoints along the meridian channels. Researchers feel acupuncture stimulates the body's internal regulatory system and nurtures a natural healing response by sending impulses up the spinal chord to a relatively primitive part of the brain known as the limbic system, as well as to the midbrain and the pituitary gland. This signaling to the brain may then release endorphins and monoamines, chemicals that block pain signals in the spinal chord and brain.

If you suffer from any of the following ailments, acupuncture may help you!

• Neck and Back Pain
• Sciatica
• Shoulder Pain
• Arthritis
• Migraine Headaches
• Tempromandibular Joint Pain
• Sinusitis
• Nausea
• Knee Pain