What is chiropractic?
Chiropractic is a science, art, and philosophy that concerns itself with the relationship between the nervous system and the function (health) of the body.
The Science: Since its beginning, chiropractic has been based on the scientific fact that the nervous system controls the function of every cell, tissue, organ, and system of your body.
While the skull protects the brain, the spinal cord is more vulnerable, covered by 24 moving vertebrae. When these bones lose their normal motion or position, they can irritate the nervous system. This disrupts the function of the tissues or organs these nerves control, and is call the Vertebral Subluxation Complex.
Chiropractic is the science of locating these areas of spinal malfunction, the art of correcting them, and the philosophy of things natural.
The Art: After a thorough examination and a review of your health history, your chiropractor will recommend a specific care program. If yours is a chiropractic case, this will include specific spinal adjustments.
After years of training, chiropractors became experts at using just the right amount of force in the right direction. This may require a quick movement or in other instances a slow and constant pressure. Chiropractic is truly an art.
The Philosophy: Besides the science and art, chiropractic has a philosophical aspect. Chiropractors recognize that regardless of the type of doctor you consult, doctors don't heal; only the body can heal itself. So your chiropractor's main purpose is to reduce interference to your inborn healing ability.
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What do chiropractors do?
Helping to restore proper spinal biomechanics and improved nervous system function begins with a case history. It is important for us to know the background about your health, such as surgeries, accidents, the onset of your condition, and other details affecting your current health.
After reviewing your history and discussing your specific problem, a thorough orthopedic, neurological, and chiropractic examination is performed. X-rays may be taken to uncover structural and functional problems associated with the spinal column. These examinations help identify areas of spinal malfunction and resulting nervous system deficit.
The findings of these examinations are explained and a plan of chiropractic treatment is recommended. Progress is monitored with periodic examinations and follow-up reports.
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What are the current educational requirements to be a Doctor of Chiropractic?
Today's chiropractors are well educated. Chiropractic colleges require a minimum of four academic years of professional resident study, including clinical experience under strict supervision, preceded by a Bachelor's of Science Degree.
Current curriculum at Palmer College of Chiropractic has the following areas of study for a Doctor of Chiropractic degree:
| Course
Credits |
Course
Name |
Class
Examples |
39 |
Anatomy |
•
Neuroanatomy
•
Spinal Anatomy
• Organ
Histology
|
14 |
Chirpractic
Business & Practice Management |
|
73 |
Clinic |
•
Emergency Procedures
•
Clinical Case
• Correlations
|
38 |
Diagnosis |
•
Neuromusculoskeletal Diagnosis
•
Obstentrics & Pediatrics
•
Gender Disorders
• Geriatrics
|
25 |
Pathology |
•
Immunology & Communicable Diseases
• Public
Health
|
35 |
Physiology
& Biochemistry |
•
Cellular Physiology
• Digestive
Physiology & Nutrition
|
14 |
Philosophy |
|
2 |
Research |
|
39 |
Technique |
• Palpation
• Extremity Adjusting
|
8 |
Electives |
|
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What is an adjustment?
When the 24 bones that protect the spinal cord lose their normal position or motion, delicate nerve tissue can become choked or irritated. If a thorough examination reveals malfunctioning areas of the spine, chiropractic adjustments are recommended to help correct this condition.
A chiropractic adjustment is the use of a specific force in a precise directions, applied to a joint that is fixated, "locked up", or not moving properly. Adjustments help return bones to a more normal position or motion, relieving pain and ill health. There are many ways to adjust the spine.
Usually our doctor's hands or a specially designed instrument delivers a brief and highly accurate thrust. After years of training, each doctor has selected a variety of methods and become skilled in their delivery. Regardless of the technique used, each chiropractic adjustment is tailored to the patient's age, size, and unique spinal problem.
Adjustments help normalize spinal function and avoid bone and soft tissue degeneration. When nervous system function improves in this way, the body can begin the natural healing process.
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Are all patients adjusted the same way?
Our doctors evaluate each patient's unique spinal problem and develop an individual course of care. The resulting recommendations are based upon years of training and experience.
Some patients who complain of headaches, may actually have a lower back problem that is causing a compensation reaction at the base of the skull. Other patients may be experiencing numbness and tingling in their fingers, when the actual problem is in the neck. Every patient presents a uniquely different spinal pattern.
Patients notice that their chiropractic care is delivered with confidence and precision. Each visit builds on the one before. And while visits may seem similar, each patient's care is uniquely different from every other patient.
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Can I adjust myself?
Since a chiropractic adjustment is a specific force, applied in a specific direction, to a specific spinal joint, it is virtually impossible to adjust oneself.
It is possible to turn or bend or twist in certain ways to create a "popping" sound, like the sound that sometimes accompanies a chiropractic adjustment. Unfortunately, this type of joint manipulation is usually counterproductive, often making an already unstable area of the spine even more unsteady. Adjusting the spine is not for amateurs!
The best way to enjoy the healthful benefits of chiropractic is to receive adjustments from a Doctor of Chiropractic. Even your doctor must seek out the services of another colleague to help restore and maintain proper spinal function.
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Do I have a slipped disc?
Technically, a disc can't "slip." The intervertebral disc is a pad of cartilage-type material situated between spinal bones. Each disc serves as a connector, spacer, and shock absorber for the spine. Outer layers of fibrous tissue contain a soft, jellylike center. Healthy discs help allow normal turning and bending.
Because of the way each disc is attached to the vertebrae above and below, a disc cannot "slip." However, trauma or injury to the spine can cause discs to tear, bulge, herniate, or worse, rupture. This can be quite painful, as the soft center of the disc leaks, putting pressure on the adjacent nerve roots and spinal cord.
While results cannot be guaranteed, many patients have avoided needless surgery or dependency on medication, by choosing chiropractic care for their disc-related health problem.
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Is chiropractic care safe?
Chiropractic has an excellent safety record. It is the result of a conservative approach to health that avoids invasive procedures or addictive drugs.
In 1996, the Rand Corporation reported the following serious complication rates for neck pain treatment:
- Cervical manipulation - 1.5 serious complications per 1 million treatments (e.g. stroke from damage to vertebral artery)
- Over the counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs - 1000 serious complications per 1 million patients, and 3200 serious complications per 1 million patients aged 65 and above (e.g. serious gastrointestinal bleeding)
- Cervical spine surgery - 15,600 serious complications per 1 million surgeries (e.g. paralysis or stroke)
A thorough case history and examination help reveal areas of the spine that may be causing nervous system malfunction. This information will be used to determine the best course of care for each patient.
Chiropractic care is a natural approach to better health that is proven safe and effective.
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Am I too old for chiropractic care?
More and more people are consulting chiropractic doctors, especially in their later years. With growing concerns about over-medication and the side effects of combining various prescription drugs, safe, natural chiropractic care is growing in popularity.
Restoring better spinal function can help improve mobility, vitality, endurance, and appetite. Many patients report improvement with arthritic symptoms and other chronic ailments often associated with the aging process.
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How long will I need chiropractic care?
Spinal problems, neglected since early childhood, may require ongoing supportive care for optimum spinal function. These long-standing problems are often associated with muscle weakness, soft tissue damage, and degenerative changes to the spine.
Most patients find that periodic chiropractic checkups help keep them in tip-top shape. Those who are active, have stressful jobs, or want to be their very best, find that a schedule of preventive care is helpful in the maintenance of good health. Structure dictates function - a structurally sound spine will function more normally.
Some patients seek chiropractic care only when their ache or pain becomes unbearable. While this style of "crisis management" is usually more costly and time-consuming, our office stands ready to help all patients, regardless of their health goals. How long you decide to benefit from chiropractic care is always up to you.
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