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What is Chiropractic?

Chiropractic is a drugless method of health care delivery. It involves correcting biomechanical deficiencies in the joints of the body, especially in the spine, to return the body to normal homeostasis. In addition, many doctors of chiropractic use adjunctive therapy to accelerate the body's natural healing process--such as ultrasound, hot/cold packs, electrical stimulation, traction, corrective exercise, etc.

Chiropractic is concerned with the relationship between structure, primarily the spine, and function, primarily the nervous system, of the human body because that relationship may affect restoration and preservation of health.

Qualifications for Practicing Chiropractic:

1.      Complete required general college-level studies.

2.      Obtain a Doctor of Chiropractic degree and complete clinical externship through an accredited four-year chiropractic college program.

3.      Pass required National Board or other exams.

4.      Meet individual state requirements for licensure.

 Spinal Manipulation

The chiropractic adjustment is a skilled and specific form of manipulation.

Spinal manipulation, 94% of which is provided by a doctor of chiropractic, is a treatment modality which is designed to restore normal function to a musculoskeletal joint causing disability and/or pain. It consists of providing a specific maneuver to the affected joint (articulation) to achieve this end. Its purpose is to mobilize the joint, thereby returning it to its normal function and allowing other parts of the musculoskeletal system -- which often compensate to the improper functioning joint(s) -- to return to their normal relationships and function as well.

Some of the beneficial effects of spinal manipulation and the restoration of normal motion, function and biomechanics which follow such treatment include:

·         Relief of pain

·         Reduction in joint swelling

·         Relaxation of tight muscles

·         Restoration and maintenance of ligament and muscle flexibility

·         Restoration of normal muscle tone and coordination

·         Restoration and maintenance of normal joint sensation and proprioception

·         Improved alignment of new connective tissue

·         Prevention of scar tissue shortening and chronic stiffness

·         Promotion of quicker, more effective healing

·         Reduction in the risk of re-injury and degeneration

(Slosberg, M. Validating Chiropractic: Documenting the Scientific Basis of Clinical Practice [Seminar], Chicago, 1993.)