What Is Chiropractic?

Chiropractic is a health care discipline that emphasizes the inherent recuperative power of the body to heal itself without the use of drugs or surgery.

The practice of chiropractic focuses on the relationship between structure (primarily of the spine) and function (as coordinated by the nervous system) and how that relationship affects the preservation and restoration of health. In addition, Doctors of Chiropractic recognize the value and responsibility of working in cooperation with other health care practitioners when in the best interest of the patient.

Subluxation, Defined

Chiropractic is concerned with the preservation and restoration of health, and focuses particular attention on the subluxation. A subluxation is a complex of functional and/or structural and/or pathological articular changes that compromise neural integrity and may influence organ system function and general health. A subluxation is evaluated, diagnosed and managed through the use of chiropractic procedures based on the best available rational and empirical evidence.

Chiropractic works by restoring normal joint function through soft tissue and joint manipulation. Restoration of normal biomechanical function affects other systems of the body as well thus improving your state of health in many ways.

Automobile accidents, improper lifting, stress and sitting too long can all cause vertebrae to malfunction. This malfunction interferes with the nerves the spine is meant to protect. This interference causes irritation to the spinal cord, or nerve roots. This irritation of the nerves and the effects it produces are what Chiropractors call a subluxation, or more precisely the Vertebral Subluxation Complex.

  Vertebral meaning relating to the bones of the spine or vertebrae;
  Subluxation meaning the improper motion or function of the vertebrae; and
  Complex meaning a condition consisting of many elements.

When the Vertebral Subluxation Complex is present many things can happen to the spine, muscles, tendons and ligaments and the organs and tissues controlled by the affected nerves. The Vertebral Subluxation Complex usually has five major interrelated components:

• Spinal Kinesiopathology - the abnormal movement of the structures of the spine causing restriction in movement.
• Neuropathophysiology - the damage to the nerves (stretching, pinching or irritating) interfering with normal function resulting from abnormal movement.
• Myopathology - the changes in muscle such as weakness, wasting, or spasm due to abnormal spinal movement.
• Histopathology - the alterations in soft tissues, discs (bulging or herniation), and ligaments and the changes in the blood and lymph supply.
• Pathophysiology - the cumulative, degenerative damage to the vertebrae (bone spurs) as it tries to stabilize and the effects of that on the organs and other tissues of the body.

The primary job of the Chiropractor is to detect, correct and help prevent the Vertebral Subluxation Complex, using Chiropractic spinal manipulation (the adjustment) as the primary form of treatment. Applying a carefully and precisely directed force exerted by his or her hands to the spine, the Chiropractor is able to restore normal motion and function to the spine, thereby reducing or eliminating the Vertebral Subluxation Complex.

A Brief History Of Chiropractic

The first recorded chiropractic adjustment was performed on September 18, 1895, more than 100 years ago, by Dr. Daniel David Palmer, a teacher and healer who was born in Port Perry, Ontario.

At the time, Dr. Palmer was trying to understand the cause and effect of disease. The patient, Harvey Lillard, was a janitor working in the same building as Dr. Palmer in Davenport, Iowa. Mr. Lillard had been bent over under the stairs, hurt his back, and had complained of hearing problems as a result for over 17 years. He allowed Dr. Palmer to examine his spine to see if anything could be done. Dr. Palmer discovered a "lump" on Mr. Lillard's back and suspected that a vertebra might be out of "alignment" and "pinching" a nerve going to Mr. Lillard's ears. With an admittedly unrefined chiropractic technique, Dr. Palmer adjusted the vertebra with a gentle thrust. After several such treatments, much of Mr. Lillard's hearing was restored.

This dramatic beginning caused much excitement. Soon exaggerated claims surfaced from activists and chiropractic zealots. Even Dr. Palmer himself thought at first that he had discovered a cure for deafness. As these "miracle" stories became commonplace, the controversy surrounding chiropractic began. While it might have been reasonable for chiropractors and their patients to assume major diseases had been "cured", in many cases the problem was an error in the original diagnosis. The doctor making the diagnosis may have assumed the patient had a heart problem when in fact the pain in the patient's chest resulted from a rib sprain, not a heart problem.

One of Dr. Palmer's patients, a minister, is credited with creating the name "Chiro-
practic" for this new art and science of manipulation. He took the Greek words for "hand" (cheiros) and "done by" (praktos) and put them together to create Chiropractic, meaning "done by hand".

Since Dr. Palmer's first chiropractic adjustment, the art and science of chiropractic has progressed significantly. Chiropractic has rapidly grown to be third only to medicine and dentistry as the largest primary health care provider in the western world. Today, advanced diagnostic procedures, sophisticated equipment, scientific research and the growing acceptance among patients, governments and health care professionals make chiropractic a popular health care choice.