Chiropractic 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 conditions begins with the body's inability to adapt to its environment. It looks to address these conditions 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. 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 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.
Here are some other sites to learn
more about chiropractic and health
ChiroWeb - The Journal of Dynamic Chiropractic's website. Offering a whole host of chiropractic information and links.
Natural Healers - NaturalHealers.com is an educational resource for people interested in studying the natural healing arts.
Planet Chiropractic - Health and chiropractic related news.
American
Chiropractic Association - The ACA is a professional organization representing Doctors of Chiropractic.
Chiropractic College Directory -
A listing of all the chiropractic colleges.
