A doctor who specializes

A chiropractor is a primary care doctor who specializes in spinal health and well-being. At our practice in Tempe, we help patients maintain optimal health while avoiding unnecessary drugs or surgery.  Our focus is on prevention, diagnosis and conservative care of spine-related disorders and other painful joint issues. In addition to adjustments, chiropractors also provide soft-tissue therapies, lifestyle recommendations, fitness coaching and nutritional advice.

Adjustments make all the difference

A chiropractic adjustment is a very safe, specific, controlled force applied to a joint to restore proper function and mobility. Injury and accidents, falls, stress or overexertion can negatively impact your spine or other joints. These changes impact tissues, the nervous system and other areas of the body. Left unresolved, this can make you more susceptible to chronic problems. Chiropractic adjustments can reduce pain, increase movement and improve performance.

When you need a chiropractor

  • A vertebra going out of place (“misalignment or also known as a vertebral subluxation”) due to a micro or macrotrauma. This could be from a slip, a fall or even due to poor posture.
  • An inflammatory response caused by a poor diet, lack of pure water or psychological and environmental stresses.
  • Osteoporosis or degenerative changes of the spine or intervertebral discs.
  • Trigger points and tight back muscles that pull the vertebrae out of place.

We treat children and pregnant moms too

During pregnancy, several physiological and endocrinological changes occur to prepare for the developing baby. Pelvic changes, protruding abdomen and increased back curve as well as postural adaptations can all result in a misaligned spine or joints. Dr. Marquez uses the Webster technique to help moms feel and function better during pregnancy.

Dr. Marquez treats children of all ages ranging from within hours of being born and into adulthood. Making sure spinal alignment is well maintained is very important for many reasons.

Please read the article written below by Jeanne Ohm, D.C. from the ICPA.

Why should my child receive chiropractic care?

by Jeanne Ohm, D.C.

More and more parents are seeking chiropractic care for their children. Many spinal problems seen in adults began as early as birth. Even so called “natural” birthing methods can stress an infant’s spine and developing nerve system. The resulting irritation to the nerve system caused by spinal and cranial misalignment can be the cause of many newborn health complaints. Colic, breathing problems, nursing difficulties, sleep disturbances, allergic reactions and chronic infections can often be traced to nerve system stress.

Since significant spinal trauma can occur at birth, many parents have their newborns checked right away. As the infant grows, learning to hold up the head, sit, crawl and walk are all activities that affect spinal alignment and are important times to have a child checked by a Doctor of Chiropractic.

As the child begins to participate in regular childhood activities like skating or riding a bike, small yet significant spinal misalignments (subluxations) may occur. If neglected, the injuries during this period of rapid growth may lead to more serious problems later in life. Subtle trauma throughout childhood will affect the future development of the spine leading to impaired nervous system function. Any interference to the vital nerve system will adversely affect the body’s ability to function at its best.

One of the most common reasons parents seek care for their child is trauma from an injury of some sort. These misalignments may or may not result in immediate pain or symptoms. Regular chiropractic checkups can identify potential spinal injury from these traumas, make the correction early in life and help avoid many of the health complaints seen later in adults. Proper spinal hygiene is an important key to better health. Another sought out reason for care is the resolution of a particular symptom or condition. Parents seek care for conditions such as colic, ear infections, asthma, allergies and headaches (to name a few) because they have heard from other parents that chiropractic care can help.

It is important to understand that the Doctor of Chiropractic does not treat conditions or diseases. The expertise of the chiropractor is in checking the child’s spine for mis-alignments that impair nerve system function therefore affecting overall body function. The bones of the spine, the vertebrae, house and protect the spinal cord. The spinal cord is an extension of the brain and carries information from the brain to the body parts and back to the brain again. Subluxations interfere with the nerves’ ability to transmit this vital information.

The nerve system controls and coordinates the function of all the systems in the body: circulatory, respiratory, digestive, hormonal, eliminative and immune system. Any aspect of health may be impaired by nerve interference. The chiropractic adjustment restores nerve system function allowing the body the ability to express a greater state of health and well-being.

The Doctor of Chiropractic will take a case history and perform a chiropractic exam to determine if spinal subluxations exist. Chiropractic adjusting procedures are modified to fit a child’s size, weight, and unique spinal condition. They are both gentle and specific to the child’s developing spinal structures. Most parents report that their children enjoy their chiropractic adjustments and look forward to subsequent visits. They also report that their children experience a greater level of health while under regular chiropractic care.

To enhance your child’s ability to function in a greater state of health, we can help you find a Doctor of Chiropractic near you who is dedicated to serving children with the utmost of care. Once your family has experienced the many benefits of chiropractic care—please help us tell others!

-written by Jeanne Ohm, DC

For more information on chiropractic care for children, please visit:
http://icpa4kids.org/About-the-ICPA/why-chiropractic-for-children.html

Why is it important to receive chiropractic care during pregnancy?

During pregnancy, there are several physiological and endocrinological changes that occur in preparation for creating the environment for the developing baby. Pelvic changes, protruding abdomen and increased back curve as well as postural adaptations can all result in a misaligned spine or joints.

Establishing pelvic balance and alignment is a very important reason to obtain chiropractic care during pregnancy.

When the pelvis is misaligned, it may reduce the amount of room available for the developing baby. This restriction is called intrauterine constraint.

A misaligned pelvis may also make it difficult for the baby to get into the best possible position for delivery.

This may affect the mother’s ability to have a natural, non-invasive birth. Breech and posterior positions can interfere with the natural ease of labor and lead to interventions such as c-sections.

The nervous system is the master communication system to all the body systems including the reproductive system. Keeping the spine aligned helps the entire body work more effectively.

What are the potential benefits of chiropractic care during pregnancy?

  • Maintaining a healthier pregnancy
  • Controlling symptoms of nausea
  • Reducing the time of labor and delivery
  • Relieving back, neck or joint pain
  • Preventing a potential cesarean delivery

What about chiropractic care and breech deliveries?

The late Larry Webster, D.C., Founder of the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association(ICPA), developed a specific chiropractic analysis and adjustment which enables chiropractors to establish balance in the pregnant woman’s pelvis and reduce undue stress to her uterus and supporting ligaments.

Currently, the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (ICPA) recommends women receive chiropractic care throughout pregnancy to establish pelvic balance and optimize the room a baby has for development throughout pregnancy.

Dr. Marquez is ICPA certified in the Webster technique. The Webster technique is a specific chiropractic analysis and diversified adjustment. The goal of the adjustment is to reduce the effects of sacral subluxation / SI joint dysfunction. In so doing neuro-biomechanical function in the pelvis is improved.

“The ICPA recognizes that in a theoretical and clinical framework of the Webster Technique in the care of pregnant women, sacral subluxation may contribute to difficult labor for the mother (i.e., dystocia).  Dystocia is caused by inadequate uterine function, pelvic contraction, and baby mal-presentation. The correction of sacral subluxation may have a positive effect on all of these causes of dystocia.

In this clinical and theoretical framework, it is proposed that sacral misalignment may contribute to these three primary causes of dystocia via uterine nerve interference, pelvic misalignment and the tightening and torsion of specific pelvic muscles and ligaments.  The resulting tense muscles and ligaments and their aberrant effect on the uterus may prevent the baby from comfortably assuming the best possible position for birth.
In regard to pregnant mothers, Dr. Webster reported that when a mother sought care and her baby was in a breech position, the restoration of pelvic neuro-biomechanics with this adjustment also frequently facilitated optimal fetal positioning.  There are cases published in the chiropractic literature that support this theory. More research is needed and is currently underway by the ICPA.”

For more information and research on chiropractic care during pregnancy, please visit: www.icpa4kids.org

You should know…

The benefits of Chiropractic care treatments help the following conditions:

  • Sciatica
  • Neck pain
  • Mid / low back pain
  • Headaches / Migraines
  • Colic
  • Acid Reflux
  • Ear Infections
  • Epilepsy
  • Seizures and other neurological conditions
  • Surgery prevention
  • Frozen Shoulder
  • Scoliosis
  • Athletic Performance or Sports related injuries
  • Pregnancy back pain
  • Asthma and other respiratory issues
  • ADHD / Anxiety
  • Vertigo and dizziness
  • Bell’s Palsy
  • Fibromyalgia

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