Firm Believers Wellness Center - What is Chiropractic?

What is Chiropractic?

Chiropractic is a branch of the healing arts which is concerned with human health and disease. Doctors of Chiropractic are physicians who consider man as an integrated being and give special attention to the physiological and biochemical aspects including structural, spinal, musculoskeletal, neurological, vascular, nutritional, emotional and environmental relationships. The practice and procedures which may be employed by Doctors of Chiropractic are based on the academic and clinical training received in and through accredited Chiropractic colleges and include, but are not limited to, the use of current diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. Such procedures specifically include the adjustment and manipulation of the spinal column and adjacent tissues. Chiropractic is a drug-free, non-surgical science and, as such, does not include pharmaceuticals or surgery. Due regard shall be given to the fact that state laws, as well as the nation's antitrust laws, may allow Doctors of Chiropractic to utilize ancillary health care procedures.

History of Chiropractic

The roots of Chiropractic care can be traced all the way back to the beginning of recorded time. Writings from China and Greece written in 2700 B.C. and 1500 B.C. mention spinal manipulation and the maneuvering of the lower extremities to ease low back pain. Hippocrates, the Greek physician, who lived from 460 to 357 B.C., published texts detailing the importance of Chiropractic care. In one of his writings he declares, "Get knowledge of the spine, for this is the requisite for many diseases." In the United States , the practice of spinal manipulation began gaining momentum in the late nineteenth century. In 1895, Daniel David Palmer founded the Chiropractic profession in Davenport, Iowa . Palmer was well read in the medical journals of his time and had great knowledge of the developments in anatomy and physiology which were occurring throughout the world. In 1897, Daniel David Palmer went on to found the Palmer School of Chiropractic, which is still in existence today. Throughout the twentieth century, Doctors of Chiropractic gained legal recognition in all fifty states. A continuing recognition and respect for the Chiropractic profession in the United States has led to growing support for Chiropractic care all over the world. The research that has emerged has yielded incredibly influential results, which have changed, shaped and molded perceptions of Chiropractic care. The 1979 report, Chiropractic in New Zealand , strongly supported the efficacy of Chiropractic care and elicited medical cooperation in conjunction with Chiropractic care. The 1993 Manga study published in Canada investigated the cost effectiveness of Chiropractic care. The results of this study concluded that Chiropractic care would save hundreds of millions of dollars annually with regard to work disability payments and direct health care costs. Doctors of Chiropractic have become pioneers in the field of non-invasive care promoting science-based approaches to a variety of ailments. A continuing dedication to Chiropractic research could lead to even more discoveries in preventing and combating maladies in future years.

What is a Doctor of Chiropractic?

The proper title for a Doctor of Chiropractic is "Doctor" as they are considered physicians under Medicare and in the overwhelming majority of states. The professional credentials abbreviation "D.C." means Doctor of Chiropractic. The American Chiropractic Association (ACA) also advocates in its Policies on Public Health that DCs may be referred to as (Chiropractic) physicians as well.

Philosophy of Chiropractic Care

As a profession, the primary belief is in natural and conservative methods of health care. Doctors of Chiropractic have a deep respect for the human body's ability to heal itself without the use of surgery or medication. These Doctors devote careful attention to the biomechanics, structure and function of the spine, its effects on the musculoskeletal and neurological systems, and the role played by the proper function of these systems in the preservation and restoration of health. A Doctor of Chiropractic is one who is involved in the treatment and prevention of disease, as well as the promotion of public health, and a wellness approach to patient healthcare.