What Is Chiropractic Care?



Posted: Thursday, April 21, 2011

by Ellie Garwood

Chiropractors treat problems with joints, muscles and nerves. The practice treats all parts of the body but focuses mostly on the spine. It is a drug-free, surgery-free therapy, often referred to as a manipulative or manual therapy (i.e. it’s undertaken by the hands), and the practice focuses heavily on the body’s natural healing capabilities.

Practitioners use specific manipulation, sometimes referred to as adjustments, to improve the function of joints and reduce inflammation. In addition to using manipulation Chiropractors also use ice, heat, ultrasound, exercise and acupuncture. Chiropractic care, is a holistic therapy, and looks at the individual as a whole, taking into consideration structural, spinal, muscular, neurological, nutritional, emotional and environmental factors. No two chiropractors are the same, and no two treatments are the same either as practitioners tailor the treatment to client’s specific needs. As well as treating the patient through physical sessions, chiropractors will often offer advice about posture and lifestyle, to help prevent future ailments. In the UK chiropractic care is the third largest healthcare profession after nursing and dentistry.

Manipulation of the spine and spinal column dates back thousands of years, and are recorded in ancient Greek and Chinese civilisations. Modern techniques, however, can be traced back to the late 1800s, 1895 to be exact. Canadian Daniel David Palmer was the founder of chiropractic care, and performed the first modern day chiropractic adjustment. Palmer went on to found The Palmer School of Chiropractic in Iowa, USA in 1897.

Chiropractic thought revolves around the concept of vertebral subluxation (simply put a misaligned or dysfunctional spinal joint segment), which interferes with the nervous system causing various health problems. Although predominantly a therapy dealing with back pain chiropractic care can also help migraine, asthma and even ADHD sufferers. The practice’s origins are steeped in a holistic ideology which believes the nerves in the back and spine, affect so many of the bodies functions, many which seem completely unrelated. One of the most stark examples of this was revealed during the practices infancy (in fact it was a cornerstone in the founding of the technique) when founder Daniel David Palmer restored the hearing of a deaf janitor, Harvey Lillard, he was acquainted with, through chiropractic care.

During a session with a chiropractor clients will first go through a consultation, documenting their medical history, current state of health etc. Often they’ll then be required to have x-rays taken which will show the state of the patient’s spine.

Those keen to qualify as a chiropractor must undergo five to six years study in the field, learning about anatomy, physiology and pathologies, as well as the philosophy of chiropractic care. In addition to this students will spend a large amount of time learning practical skills, such as manual techniques and clinical diagnostic testing.
Ellie Garwood is a freelance writer interested in a host of topics. For a host of complementary medicine, and physical therapy related anatomy books she recommends the range available at Lotus Publishing.
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