WHAT IS CHIROPRACTIC?

hiropractic is a branch of the healing arts which is based upon

the understanding that good health depends, in part, upon a

normally functioning nervous system (especially the spine, and the

nerves extending from the spine to all parts of the body).



"Chiropractic" comes from the Greek word Chiropraktikos,

meaning "effective treatment by hand."  Chiropractic stresses the

idea that the cause of many disease processes begins with the

body's inability to adapt to its environment.  It looks to address

these diseases not by the use of drugs and chemicals, but by

locating and adjusting a musculoskeletal area of the body which is

functioning improperly. 



The conditions which doctors of chiropractic address are as

varied and as vast as the nervous system itself.  All chiropractors

use a standard procedure of examination to diagnose a patient's

condition and arrive at a course of treatment.  Doctors of

chiropractic use the same time-honored methods of consultation,

case history, physical examination, laboratory analysis and x-ray

examination as any other doctor.  In addition, they provide a careful 

chiropractic structural examination, paying particular attention to the 

spine.  The examination of the spine to evaluate structure and function 

is what makes chiropractic different from other health care procedures. 

Your spinal column is a series of movable bones which begin at the 

base of your skull and end in the center of your hips.  Thirty-one pairs 

of spinal nerves extend down the spine from the brain and exit through 

a series of openings.  The nerves leave the spine and form a complicated 

network which influences every living tissue in your body. 



Accidents, falls, stress, tension, overexertion, and countless other

factors can result in a displacements or derangements of the spinal 

column, causing irritation to spinal nerve roots. These irritations are often 

what cause malfunctions in the human body.  Chiropractic teaches that 

reducing or eliminating this irritation to spinal nerves can cause your body 

to operate more efficiently and more comfortably. 



Chiropractic also places an emphasis on nutritional and exercise

programs, wellness and lifestyle modifications for promoting

physical and mental health.  While chiropractors make no use of

drugs or surgery, Doctors of chiropractic do refer patients for

medical care when those interventions are indicated. In fact,

chiropractors, medical doctors, physical therapists and other

health care professionals now work as partners in occupational

health, sports medicine, and a wide variety of other rehabilitation

practices.

CHIROPRACTIC PHILOSOPHY

The chiropractic perspective on health and disease emphasizes

two fundamental concepts: 

1) the structure and condition of the body influences how the body 

functions and its ability to heal itself;

		and 

2) the mind-body relationship is instrumental in maintaining health 

and in the healing processes. 



Although chiropractic shares much with other health professions,

its emphasis and application of philosophy distinguishes it from

modern medicine. Chiropractic philosophy gravitates toward a

holistic ("total person") approach to healing which combines

elements of the mind, body and spirit and maintains that health

depends on obedience to natural laws, and that deviation from

such laws can result in illness. 




Chiropractic Philosophy includes: 

emphasis on patient recuperative abilities rather than surgery
recognition that dynamics exist between lifestyle, environment and health
understanding the cause of illness in order to eliminate it rather than 
    simply treat symptoms
recognition of the centrality of the nervous system and its intimate 
    relationship with the capacities of the human body
balancing benefits versus risks of clinical interventions
recognition of the primary importance of monitoring progress closely through 
    appropriate diagnostic procedures 
a patient-centered, hands-on approach focused on influencing function through 
    structure 
focus on early intervention emphasizing timelydiagnosis and treatment of 
    conditions that are wholly functional and reversible 




Chiropractic philosophy blends an effective combination of

conviction, critical thinking, open-mindedness, and appreciation

of the natural order of things. Chiropractic focuses on the

establishment and maintenance of a relationship between patients

and their environment which is most conducive to functional

well-being.