What is Chiropractic?
Chiropractic is a health care profession concerned with diagnosis, treatment and prevention of injuries and disorders of the neuromusculoskeletal systems (nerves, muscles, bones). The chiropractic profession emphasizes the natural power of the body to heal itself (homeostasis), and therefore chiropractic practice does not include the use of drugs and surgery. Patients requiring these invasive interventions are referred to medical specialists. All patients receive an extensive consultation, history and examination to help determine the specifics of their injury. After a differential diagnosis is provided, treatment options are discussed.
The natural or non-invasive treatment approaches used by chiropractors include the following; manual treatments, physical therapy modalities, exercise programs, nutritional advice, orthotics, lifestyle modifications, and patient education. Because of its proven effectiveness, there is an emphasis on adjusting the joints of the body, especially the spine.
Approximately 95% of chiropractic patients complain of musculoskeletal pain (e.g. back pain, neck pain, headaches, pain in the shoulder, carpal tunnel syndrome, strain-sprain injuries of almost any joint or muscle group, etc.). The other 5% of chiropractic patients are treated for conditions caused by spinal dysfunction. The effect of this dysfunction may be expressed through the nervous system. Such conditions often include dysmenorrhea, asthma and other respiratory dysfunctions, colic, constipation and other digestive dysfunctions, etc. [1]
[1] Chapman-Smith, David, The Chiropractic Profession. NCMIC Group 2000; 1-2