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What is Chiropractic?

“Chiropractic” comes from the Greek word Chiropraktikos, meaning “effective treatment by hand.”  

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. 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 are functioning improperly.   

The conditions which doctors of chiropractic address are as varied and as vast as the nervous system itself.  

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 derangement’s of the spinal column, causing irritation to spinal nerve roots. These irritations may cause malfunctions in the human body, often time distant from the site of injury. Chiropractic helps by 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 refer patients for medical care when those interventions are indicated. In fact, chiropractors work along side other health care professionals and provide care in areas of occupational health, sports medicine, physical therapy, as well as rehabilitation.    

How Can I Find the Best Chiropractor for me?

“The best way to find the chiropractor that’s right for you is to spend a little time.”  

  • American Chiropractic Assocation website:  www.acatoday.com
  • State (OR) association website:  www.oregonchiroassoc.com
  • Ask a friend, family, or colleague to recommend a good chiropractor 
  • Visit your insurance website: ”Locate a provider” tab 
  • Call a chiropractor near your home or office; make it convenient for you
    • Read websites, reviews, and testimonials
    • Ask to speak to the doctor.  Don’t be afraid to ask questions
    • Call and make a new patient appointment
    • Within the first few visits you’ll know if this is the chiropractor for you 

“In numerous studies, doctors of chiropractic have been shown to be among the most patient-centered health care providers.”    

What Should You Expect From a Chiropractor?  

  1. Consult - This is the  first conversation you should have with your doctor before starting care.
  2. New Patient Forms -  Paperwork will include information about your current condition, family history, medical history, current occupation, and additional questions designed to help determine the nature of your illness.
  3. Insurance - DO NOT base your entire decision on a chiropractor just because he doesn’t take your insurance.  Chiropractic care is very affordable if you do not have health insurance. However, these are the questions you should ask: Does your chiropractor take your insurance? Is the chiropractor in network? 
  4. Examination- A physical examination will be performed; which includes a spinal examination to detect any structural abnormalities that may be contributing to your condition.  It may include vitals, orthopedic, neurological, and chiropractic tests.   All of these elements are important components of your total health profile, and vital to the doctor of chiropractic in evaluating your problem.  Clinical judgement, presenting symptoms, and mechanism of injury will determine if any advanced diagnostic procedures (X-rays, MRIs, CTs, discograms, arthrograms, and labs)  are necessary.
  5. Diagnosis - Your chiropractor should have a working diagnosis before they start treating. Examination findings,  neurological tests, orthopedic tests, muscles tests, and specific chiropractic exams are used to arrive at a more specific diagnosis.  Advanced imaging may be ordered in certain cases before or after treatment is started.  The results will be explained to you following a careful evaluation of your X-rays or MRIs.
  6. Treatment Plan - A plan to start treating the problem 
    • Recommended level of care (duration and frequency of visits) 
      • number of visits recommended
      • details the type of services needed
      • durable medical goods we plan to dispense
      • home-care instructions, medical referrals, and limitations to any activities of daily living (ADLs) 
      • frequency of visits, one to three times a week is usually acceptable 
    • Specific treatment goals
      • goals for each treatment 
      • assessing the functional deficits, discuss ADLs or loss of function
      • identify the exact functional deficit, create a baseline for the loss 
    • Objective measures to evaluate treatment effectiveness
      • layout exactly what is expected and how it is going to be measured 
      • evaluate pain using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) on each visit
    • Date of the initial treatment
      • the clock starts ticking and visits are counted when the initiation of treatment date is changed
      • date of visit is part of the chart notes - it shows the beginning of the course of treatment 
      • treatment plan is the road-map that justifies and quantifies our desired plan for each patient
  7. Cost - Even if you have insurance, some services might not be covered. In these cases, you can expect some out-of-pocket expenses.  If you do not have insurance, then a total cost of treatment will be discussed, and payment plans can be arranged as per office policy. In almost every case there will be fees.
  8. Treatment -  Once the doctor has identified the problem area; chiropractic adjustments, electrical stimulation, stretching, heat, ice, mechanical traction, spinal decompression, myofascial release, as well as exercise may be recommended. 
  9. Prognosis - Likely outcome of your condition or disease
    • Good - Full recovery expected
    • Fair - Recovery pending  
    • Guarded - due to other (co-morbidities) the prognosis is tenuous
    • Poor - Full recovery is not expected 
  10. Follow-up phone call - Under normal circumstances, chiropractic adjustments shouldn’t hurt. The patient may experience a minor amount of discomfort during the adjustment which lasts only seconds. Remember, however that chiropractic is one of the safest forms of health-care.  The doctor may call you after your first visit to see how you are doing, this is done with acute conditions where the patient presented with moderate to severe pain. 

Facts about chiropractic! 

  • Chiropractic is the First Line of Defense for Acute Neck and Back Pain!
  • Chiropractic management of low-back pain is superior to allopathic medical management in terms of safety, effectiveness, and cost.
  • There would be significant cost savings if management of low-back pain (LBP) was transferred from medical doctors to chiropractors.
  • Spinal manipulation is the only recommendation for active treatment of acute low back pain in people who do not improve with other self-care options.
  • Chiropractic adjustments affect the chemistry of biological processes on a cellular level!
  • Joint Manipulation has been around for thousands of years, however, chiropractic was founded by D.D. Palmer in 1895.
  • Chiropractors practice in over 70 countries.
  • There are 65,000 chiropractors in the U.S, 6,000 in Canada and 90,000 internationally.
  • There are chiropractic colleges in at least 15 countries.
  • The practice of chiropractic is regulated by law.
  • Chiropractors are not supervised by the medical profession and no referral is needed; they diagnosis, treat and refer to other physicians.
  • Professional titles include: Doctor of Chiropractic, Chiropractor, and Chiropractic Physician
  • Chiropractors work along side general practitioners, occupational therapist, physical therapists,  and rehabilitation centers.
  • Chiropractor treat: infants to geriatrics, job related injuries, herniated disc injuries, whiplash injuries, auto accidents, and sports teams.

What is Chiropractic Philosophy?  

“Although chiropractic shares much with other health professions, its emphasis and application of philosophy distinguishes it from western 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.   

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. 

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.  It also 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 timely diagnosis and treatment of conditions that are wholly functional and reversible

Is There Any Chiropractic Research?  

There are many peer-reviewed medical journals which publish the results of manipulation, the primary treatment given by chiropractors. 

Chiropractic research is published in scientific journals.  With each passing day, more is done to reduce the scientific isolation and expand the scope and appreciation of chiropractic and chiropractic research to the medical and scientific community as well as the general public.   

For additional research information:   

What Are The Phases of Chiropractic Care?  

  1.  Initial Intensive Care
    • Relief Care or Acute Care. This is designed to eliminate or reduce the majority of the discomfort and stabilize the condition in the shortest amount of time.  Visits may be frequent. Repeated visits are often required to reduce or eliminate the symptoms. 
  2. Rehabilitative Care
    • The objective to correct any underlying spinal injury as well as strengthening the muscles, improve spinal function and provide more complete or optimum healing of tissues and organ systems.  Visits will reduce in frequency and care is supplemented by exercises and modification of your ADL’s. 
  3. Maintenance or Wellness Care 
    • Is designed to maintain your improved health and spinal function, and prevent the return of the original condition once spinal correction has been attained.  Regular attention catches small problems before they become serious. Wellness through prevention saves time and money by keeping  you well, and the ability to recover more quickly when you do suffer from an injury.  

What is the Official Position on Chiropractic by the Assoc of Chiro Coll (ACCs)? acc-assoc-of-chiro-colleges

“Chiropractic is a health care discipline which emphasizes the inherent recuperative power of the body to heal itself without the use of drugs or surgery.”      

  • practice of chiropractic focuses on the relationship between structure (primarily the spine) and function (as coordinated by the nervous system) and how the relationship affects the preservation and restoration of health. 
  • chiropractors recognize the value and responsibility of working in cooperation with other health care practitioners when in the best interest of the patient.    
  • the chiropractic profession continues to foster a unique, distinct service that serves as a health care discipline for all. 
  • ACC advocates a profession that generates, develops, and utilizes the highest level of evidence possible in the provision of effective, prudent, and cost-conscious patient evaluation and care.     

What is the Purpose of Chiropractic?    

  • The purpose of chiropractic is to optimize health.     

What is the Principle of Chiropractic?   

  •  The body’s innate recuperative power is affected by and integrated through the nervous system. 

What Does the Practice of Chiropractic Include?       

  • PRIMUM NON NOCERE: first do no harm
  • establishing a diagnosis
  • facilitating neurological and bio-mechanical integrity through appropriate case management; and
  • promoting health

What Does the Foundation of Chiropractic Include?      

  • Philosophy:  The body has the unique ability to heal itself, it need no help,  just no interference
  • Science:  Which phase of healing and type of tissue that is injured
  • Art:  Use of the specific techniques for your condition
  • Knowledge: Anatomy, chemistry, physiology, and knowing the mental effects of pain and disease
  • Clinical experience:  Working with many types of patients  and injuries, referring when necessary

 The Chiropractic Paradigm Directly Impacts:      

  • education
  • research
  • health care policy and leadership
  • relationships with other health care providers
  • professional stature
  • public awareness and perceptions; and
  • quality healthcare through patient education

The Vertebral Subluxation Complex (VSC): 

  • Subluxations are a combination of many changes going on simultaneously.  
  • These changes are not limited to just the joints of the body.  

What are the five categories of the Vertebral Subluxation Complex (VSC)?        

  1. The osseous (bone) component is where the vertebrae are either out of position, not moving properly, or are undergoing physical changes such as degeneration.  This component is sometimes called kinesiopathology. (Ie.Frozen shoulder, kink in the neck, a catch in the back)
  2. The Nerve Component is the malfunctioning of the nerve. Even a small amount of pressure on spinal nerves can have a profound impact on the function of the nerves.  This component is scientifically known as neuropathology.  (Ie. Pins and needles, aching, dull ache, numbness,  and sharp shooting pains.)
  3. The Muscle Component helps hold the vertebrae in place. Nerves control the muscles.  Thus, muscles are an integral part of the VSC.  Muscles effect, as well as are affected by the VSC. This component is known as myopathology.  (Ie. Weakness, muscle wasting, muscle spasms, trigger-points, and muscle cramps.)
  4. The Soft Tissue Component is when you have misaligned vertebrae and pressure on nerves resulting in changes in the surrounding soft tissues.  This means the tendons, ligaments, blood supply and other tissues undergo changes.  These changes can occur at the point of the VSC or far away at some end point of the affected nerves. This component is also known as histopathology. (Ie. Swelling, bruising, sprains of ligaments, strains of tendons)
  5. The Chemical Component is when all these components of the VSC are acting on your body, and therefore causing some degree of chemical changes. These chemical changes can be slight or massive depending of what parts of your body are affected by your subluxations. This component is often known as biochemical abnormalities. (Ie. Fatigue, excessive cortisol production, adrenal burnout, short- tempered, insomnia.) 

What Is The Chiropractic Oath?

“I do hereby swear before these assembled witnesses that I will do my utmost to keep this oath as a doctor of chiropractic.  I will light the way to the understanding of those natural laws which preserve the human body, as a fitting temple for the soul.I will keep the physical, mental, and spiritual needs of the sick as my foremost duty, ever searching for and correcting the cause of their disease to the best of my ability.  I will at all times stand ready to serve humanity without distinction of race, creed or colour. I will prevent and alleviate human suffering. I will exemplify a pattern of living in harmony with the laws of nature.    

With purity I will pass my life and practice my art. I will refrain from any act of wrong-doing. I will regard the keeping of a patients confidence as a moral obligation. I will at all times consider the patients under my care as of supreme importance.  I will not spare myself in rendering them the help which I have been taught by my Alma mater.   

May the skillful use of my hands be so directed, that I may bring strength to the sick, relief to the suffering, peace of mind to the anxious, and the inspiration to the human race to attain bountiful health, that we may live this life to the fullest expression of its innate endowments.I therefore solemnly swear to uphold these principles and precepts, to the best of my ability, so help me God.”  

 

bj-palmer

BJ Palmer - the developer of chiropractic

What Are The 33 Chiropractic Principles?

  1. The Major Premise - A Universal Intelligence is in all matter and continually gives to it all its properties and actions, thus maintaining it in existence.    
  2. The Chiropractic Meaning of Life - The expression of this intelligence through matter is the Chiropractic meaning of life.    
  3.  The Union of Intelligence and Matter - Life is necessarily the union of intelligence and matter. 
  4. The Triune of Life - Life is a triunity having three necessary united factors, namely: Intelligence, Force and Matter.
  5. The Perfection of the Triune - In order to have 100% Life, there must be 100% Intelligence, 100% Force, 100% Matter.
  6. The Principle of Time - There is no process that does not require time.
  7. The Amount of Intelligence in Matter - The amount of intelligence for any given amount of matter is 100%, and is always proportional to its requirements. 
  8. The Function of Intelligence - The function of intelligence is to create force.  
  9. The Amount of Force Created by Intelligence - The amount of force created by intelligence is always 100%.  
  10. The Function of Force - The function of force is to unite intelligence and matter.    
  11. The Character of Universal Forces - The forces of Universal Intelligence are manifested by physical laws; are unswerving and unadapted, and have no solicitude for the structures in which they work.    
  12. Interference with Transmission of Universal Forces - There can be interference with transmission of universal forces.    
  13. The Function of Matter - The function of matter is to express force.    
  14. Universal Life - Force is manifested by motion in matter; all matter has motion, therefore there is universal life in all matter.    
  15. No Motion without the Effort of Force - Matter can have no motion without the application of force by intelligence.    
  16. Intelligence in both Organic and Inorganic Matter - Universal Intelligence gives force to both organic and inorganic matter.    
  17. Cause and Effect - Every effect has a cause and every cause has effects.    
  18. Evidence of Life - The signs of life are evidence of the intelligence of life.    
  19. Organic Matter - The material of the body of a “living thing” is organized matter.    
  20. Innate Intelligence - A “living thing” has an inborn intelligence within its body, called Innate Intelligence.    
  21. The Mission of Innate Intelligence - The mission of Innate Intelligence is to maintain the material of the body of a “living thing” in active organization.    
  22. The Amount of Innate intelligence - There is 100% of Innate Intelligence in every “living thing,” the requisite amount, proportional to its organization.    
  23. The Function of Innate Intelligence - The function of Innate Intelligence is to adapt universal forces and matter for use in the body, so that all parts of the body will have co-coordinated action for mutual benefit.    
  24. The Limits of Adaptation - Innate Intelligence adapts forces and matter for the body as long as it can do so without breaking a universal law, or Innate Intelligence is limited by the limitations of matter.    
  25. The Character of Innate Forces - The forces of Innate Intelligence never injure or destroy the structures in which they work.    
  26. Comparison of Universal and Innate Forces - In order to carry on the universal cycle of life, Universal forces are destructive, and Innate forces constructive, as regards structural matter.    
  27. The Normality of Innate Intelligence - Innate Intelligence is always normal and its function is always normal.    
  28. The Conductors of Innate Forces - The forces of Innate Intelligence operate through or over the nervous system in animal bodies.    
  29. Interference with Transmission of Innate Forces - There can be interference with the transmission of Innate forces.    
  30. The Causes of Dis-ease - Interference with the transmission of Innate forces causes incoordination of dis-ease.    
  31. Subluxations- Interference with transmission in the body is always directly or indirectly due to subluxations in the spinal column.    
  32. The Principle of Coordination - Coordination is the principle of harmonious action of all the parts of an organism, in fulfilling their offices and purposes.    
  33. The Law of Demand and Supply - The Law of Supply and Demand is existent in the body in its ideal state; wherein the “clearing house,” is the brain, Innate the virtuous “banker,” brain cells “clerks,” and nerve cells “messengers.”