Chiropractic Facts
History of Chiropractic
Evidence of healers and physicians performing manual manipulation of the spine can be found in ancient Greek and Chinese history. These manual manipulations were believed to cure many ailments, not just those related to the spine.
It was not until 1895 that D.D. Palmer performed a spinal adjustment on a partially deaf man named Harvey Lillard. This seemed to improve his hearing. Palmer believed that spinal adjustments could cure any number of pains and ailments, since the spine has the ability to press on many different nerves.
Several years later, Palmer opened the Palmer School of Chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa, which still educates doctors of chiropractic today. Over time, the fundamental ideas behind of chiropractic have not changed much, but great strides have been made as more and more people have experienced the health benefits of Chiropractic.
Today’s Chiropractic
You probably already know that chiropractic is commonly used to treat back and neck pain. But did you know that chiropractic can be used to treat any number of ailments, from allergies to osteoarthritis and many in between.
Many advances have been made in the world of chiropractic while still staying true to the roots of this practice. By taking an active role in their healing, patients can eliminate many issues of pain and other ailments. Taking an active role means not only consulting a licensed chiropractor, but also having a healthy diet and exercising. Treating your body well is the best way to stay healthy.
How does it work?
Chiropractic is a holistic approach to healing. Through adjustments, exercises, and a healthy lifestyle, the self-healing properties of the body can be realized. Depending on your problem, chiropractic can offer immediate relief or relief in a series of sessions.
Why Chiropractic?
A lot of current pain management techniques only treat the symptoms of a problem, not the cause. Chiropractic works to treat the source of the issue. Because of this, chiropractic is effective at preventing future issues from presenting themselves.
Furthermore, Chiropractic is non-invasive (i.e. there is no surgery and no drugs), so there are fewer risks related to the procedures performed. Chiropractic uses your body’s own natural healing powers to manage pain and other problems. Many patients who visit chiropractors report decreased pain and an increase in general wellness.
Effects of Chiropractic Care?
In many modern medical practices, drugs are administered to treat everything from pain to ailments. Use of prescription drugs can have undesirable or dangerous side effects. These drugs can also be hard on the liver and kidneys if used long-term. Chiropractic can eliminate the need for these drugs by treating the source of an issue. The spine houses the spinal cord, which can directly affect many of the body’s other systems.
Chiropractic Myths and Facts
Fact: There are a lot of unfounded myths about chiropractic. Most of them come from people who are unfamiliar with the ideas and practices behind chiropractic.
1. Myth: Spinal adjustments are painful
Fact: Immediately following a spinal adjustment, many patients feel relief immediately. Misalignment in the spine can cause pain not only in the neck and back, but also in other parts of the body. Once the spine is properly aligned, that pain is often immediately relieved.
2. Myth: Chiropractors are not real doctors
Fact: Educational requirements for doctors of chiropractic are among the most stringent of any of the health care professions.
The typical applicant at a chiropractic college has already acquired nearly four years of pre-medical undergraduate college education, including courses in biology, inorganic and organic chemistry, physics, psychology and related lab work. Once accepted into an accredited chiropractic college, the requirements become even more demanding — four to five academic years of professional study are the standard. Because of the hands-on nature of chiropractic, and the intricate adjusting techniques, a significant portion of time is spent in clinical training.
Doctors of chiropractic undergo a rigorous education in the healing sciences, similar to that of medical doctors. In some areas, such as anatomy, physiology, and rehabilitation, they receive more intensive education than most medical doctors or physical therapists.
Like other primary health care doctors, chiropractic students spend a significant portion of their curriculum studying clinical subjects related to evaluating and caring for patients. Typically, as part of their professional training, they must complete a minimum of a one-year clinical-based program dealing with actual patient care. In total, the curriculum includes a minimum of 4,200 hours of classroom, laboratory and clinical experience. The course of study is approved by an accrediting agency which is fully recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. This has been the case for more than 25 years.
Before they are allowed to practice, doctors of chiropractic must pass national board examinations and become state-licensed. Chiropractic colleges also offer post-graduate continuing education programs in specialty fields ranging from sports injuries and occupational health to orthopedics and neurology. These programs allow chiropractors to specialize in a healthcare discipline or meet state re-licensure requirements.
This extensive education prepares doctors of chiropractic to diagnose health care problems, treat the problems when they are within their scope of practice and refer patients to other health care practitioners when appropriate.
Chiropractors attend schools which are accredited by the U.S. Department of Education.
3. Myth: Chiropractic is costly
Fact: When compared with Western medical care, Chiropractic is far less expensive. In cases of worker’s compensation, chiropractic care can cost half as much as traditional medical care, and it treats the source of the problem instead of just the pain. Because of this, in the long run, patients often end up needing less chiropractic care than traditional Western medicine.
4. Myth: You don’t need to visit a chiropractor, you can adjust yourself
Fact: Attempting to adjust your own alignment is not only ineffective, but it can also be quite dangerous. If you’re not familiar with the different muscles and nerves in your spine, you can end up seriously injuring yourself. It’s best to consult a licensed chiropractor for any back or neck pain you experience.
