Chiropractic

Chiropractic or chiropractic care as it is also known is a kind of therapy that attempts to prevent and heal medical problems by making adjustments to the spinal cord to correct any possible misalignments or dislocation of the vertebrae.

All the body’s functions are coordinated and controlled by the brain and nervous system using the nerve branches that exit from the spinal cord to some degree. If there is even a slight alignment problem in the spinal cord it can negatively affect the functioning of the nerve as it exits the vertebral foramina. Thus, chiropractors believe that for the body to be healthy it is essential for the nervous system to be functioning in top order.

Chiropractic was the first field to establish a causal relationship between a malfunctioning at the spine to problems in other more distant parts of the body.

Doctors who practice chiropractic are called chiropractors. They are accomplished holders of the Doctor of Chiropractic degree and are referred to as ‘doctors’ in much the same way as dentists.

History Of Chiropractic

Though modern chiropractic did not make a real appearance the end of the nineteenth century, in actual fact chiropractic care goes back more than 2500 years in history. Writings from China written in 2700 B.C. and Greece in 1500 B.C. make a mention of the use of spinal manipulations and the maneuvering of lower extremities to ease back pain. Hippocrates also wrote about knowledge of the spine being a requisite for the treatment of many diseases.

The practice of chiropractic however, was founded in 1895 by Daniel Palmer of Davenport, Iowa. Palmer practiced magnetic healing and read a lot of medical journals of the time. In 1895 Palmer was studying the medical history of a deaf janitor. The janitor informed Palmer that he had been deaf ever since he had a fall and heard something pop in his back. Palmer found a lump in his back, which he theorized to be a misalignment of the spine and the cause of the deafness. When the doctor corrected the misalignment, the janitor got some hearing back. This confirmed Palmer’s beliefs.

The term chiropractic originates from two Greek words – chiros and praktikos – and literally means ‘done by hand’. In 1897 Palmer went on to establish the Palmer School of Chiropractic. It is today one of the top most chiropractic colleges in America.

Setting Up A Chiropractic Practice

To set up a chiropractic practice one must be a Doctor of Chiropractic. To get a DC degree, a student needs to enroll at a chiropractic college and complete four to five years of education. The course involves a minimum of 4,200 hours of classroom, laboratory and clinical experience. A minimum of 90 hours of undergraduate studies in the field of science is also a pre-requisite set by the Council of Chiropractic Education.

To be qualified as a practicing Chiropractor one must also clear the national board exam as well as any exams required by the State in which the person wishes to set up his or her practice.

The medical problems that DC’s address are many. There is a standard procedure for examination and diagnosis of the problem to arrive as the course of treatment. It is important to realize that the basic philosophy of chiropractic is in the body’s ability to heal itself. Invasive methods of healing, surgery and medicines are generally not used in chiropractic care. Instead, chiropractors work on the basis of consultations, physical examinations, case history of the patient, analysis and x-rays. Chiropractors pay special attention to the spine and conduct a thorough chiropractic examination of the spine.

This attention to the spine is what differentiates chiropractic from other methods of healing. The spine is a column of bones that begins at the base of the neck and ends in the lower back. There are 31 pairs of nerves that connect the brain to the spine, and these exit the spine in a complex network that affects every part of the body.

The bones in the spinal cord are not rigid. They are fluid and move which is what allows us to bend and move our body. If any of the bones are dislocated or dislodged due to accident, stress, strain or overexertion it can cause various health difficulties. Chiropractors evaluate the condition of the spine and determine the correction required to enhance the functioning of the nervous system so that the body may function at an optimum level.

Benefits Of Chiropractic

Various neuromusculoskeletal problems like pain in the neck and lower back pain, pain in the joints and headaches can be treated by chiropractic. Chiropractors also treat patients suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, sprains and injuries of the spine. While chiropractic is a technique that most people think of using only when suffering from excruciating neck and back pain, the fact is that chiropractic can heal many other seemingly non-related conditions like allergies, asthma and digestive problems as well.

The benefits of chiropractic care include:

• Increased efficiency in blood circulation and the absorption of oxygen and other nutrients into the body.

• Better excretion of lactic acid from the body.

• Increased flexibility of movements and better grasp of training programs.

• Reduces the recovery time from injuries, pain, soreness, swelling, and spasms.

• It is especially beneficial for athletes as they train for various sporting events. Chiropractic care can help protect their bodies from excessive strain due to the intensive training they go through. In addition, it can help them after a vigorous workout to shape up and get ready for the next event.

• Chiropractic also improves the functioning of the nervous system and enhances breathing.

• It strengthens the immune system and helps combat potential diseases.

• It can help pregnant women have easier natural births and decreases the chances of miscarriages.

• In some cases chiropractic care can even enhance vision and hearing.

Thus, chiropractic care is especially beneficial for people involved with jobs that make high physical demands. It is also often used along with physical therapy and occupational therapy for the rehabilitation of accident victims.