What is a Chiropractor?

Chiropractic happens to be the third largest field of medicine in the U.S, according to the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners. It is a practice that dates back to the 1800’s when a self-educated healer and teacher called Daniel David Palmer performed the very first spinal manipulation. The term chiropractic is derived from Greek words implying “treatment by hand.’ Chiropractors use their hands to work on your body, promoting wellness and healing. Our office can use other adjusting techniques of the spine other than using the hands. In order to understand what chiropractic entails let’s take a look at the philosophy behind the practice, what the professionals do, and of course some of the treatment modalities you can expect to get from them.

So, what’s the philosophy behind chiropractic?

 

Chiropractic is a practice that has been proven to work wonders. It is based on a number of belief statements.These include:

  • All the body functions of a person are connected in one way or another, and that the healing process does not just involve one part of the body but the entire body.
  • When our body systems work in harmony, the body attains an incredible ability to heal itself and maintain health.
  • The key to a healthy body is largely contributed by a healthy nervous system, and particularly the spine. The brain is responsible for carrying information throughout our body, and controls all bodily functions such as the voluntary and involuntary movements. When all the body works together it is balanced, the body is balanced. Conditions that affect the nerves, bones and muscles can disrupt this balance, leading to an increase in disease risk among other health problems.

 

What do chiropractors do?

 

Chiropractors are basically medical professionals trained to diagnose and initiate treatment options for disorders of the nervous and musculoskeletal systems. These healthcare professionals employ the use of conventional diagnostic methods such as lab work, MRI and X-rays, among other chiropractic procedures that involve hands manipulation of the joints to arrive to their treatments. You will find that our office goes the extra mile to offer you a healthy lifestyle and manage the disorders.

Although chiropractors understand everything to do with the nervous and musculoskeletal systems, they do not give prescriptions or perform surgery. However, most of them work with physicians and will suggest specialized treatment where necessary.

 

What are some techniques used in chiropractic?

 

In general, chiropractic aims at treating common conditions affecting the spine and the muscles. You will find some chiropractors working to locate and remove subluxations, and others employing additional techniques. Some of the treatment modalities you would expect to get from these professionals include:

  • Spinal decompression
  • Physiotherapy
  • Ultrasound
  • Physical rehabilitation
  • Massage
  • Heat/cold therapy
  • Nutrition and lifestyle counseling
  • Electric muscle stimulation
  • Exercise instructions and programs
  • Acupuncture

The success of chiropractic has been tremendous, especially these days. The practice is widely used in treatment of neck and back problems, hence becoming more acceptable worldwide.