Chiropractic is generally considered as alternative medicine or complementary medicine. It is an option of treatment and care that does not use drugs and surgery, which the conventional medicine rely almost completely upon. We know that in many cases, there are limits to what medications and surgery can do as treatment options. Chiropractic, aside from offering an alternative to the treatment methods traditional medicine uses, is in alignment with the scientific principles that general medicine stands for. In some cases, chiropractic works in conjunction with the mainstream medicine practice in solving health disorders.
Chiropractic focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of the musculoskeletal system and the nervous system. It holds the fundamental belief that a healthy nervous system is the key to general health and abnormality in the nerve functions results in disease and dysfunctions in the body. It emphasizes treatment that employs manipulative adjustments in the body structures, primarily on the spine.
Chiropractors: Principles and Goals
Chiropractors are professional practitioners who advocate health care through the application of the chiropractic principles. Their goal is to reduce the pain and improve the functionality of patients as well as promote health care through other related forms of therapies and care such as physical exercise, ergonomics and nutrition.
Chiropractors strongly adhere to the following principles and beliefs in their professional practice:
- The nervous system is the communication center for all body functions.
- There is an intimate relationship between the nervous system and the spine and physical abnormalities in the spine can negatively affect the nervous system.
- Chiropractic treatment can improve the health of a person through the restoration and maintenance of the structural integrity of the spine.
- Chiropractic treatment concept is aimed at re-establishing normal spinal mobility, alleviating irritation and pain to the spinal nerve, and correcting altered reflexes.
Conditions Chiropractors Treat
Chiropractors use different treatment techniques and methods without the use of drugs and surgery. Some of the most common conditions they treat are:
- Spinal misalignment, slipped disk, and other disorders of the musculoskeletal system
- Back pain and leg pain or sciatica
- Neck pain
- Other chronic muscle, joint and arthritic pains
- Migraines and headaches
- Injuries from motor vehicle accidents like whiplash
- Sports injuries
Chiropractors can also treat a wide range of health disorders and symptoms associated with spinal nerve interference including conditions of the organs of the body such as the eyes, ears, skin, heart, liver, kidneys, respiratory and digestive organs.
Activities in Chiropractors’ Office
Typical activities inside the chiropractor’s office include the initial intake procedure, physical examination, treatment, and a follow-up plan.
In the intake procedure, the patient will be interviewed and asked questions regarding his or her condition, medical history and the specifics about the complaint.
A routine physical exam follows the initial intake. The chiropractor will most likely examine the patient’s spine. X-ray examination of the patient’s back is also likely done before the treatment. Depending on the complaint, other tests in the course of the physical exam are muscle strength comparison, range of motion test, palpation, reflex testing and neurological and orthopedic tests.
The chiropractor will prepare a treatment plan considering all the data gathered from the previous process and after getting an agreement with the patient on what the patient’s objective is in the chiropractic care.
Subsequent treatment visits may be necessary as required in the initial treatment plan.
For the millions of people who have received the benefits of chiropractic care, chiropractors who have given them relief from pain and discomfort and have restored their healthy and enjoyable lives have become their heroes.