What is Chiropractic and Chiropractic Care?

"CHIROPRACTIC IS A PHILOSOPHY, SCIENCE, AND ART THAT FOCUSES ON RESTORING HARMONY BACK TO THE BODY. WHEN THERE IS DISHARMONY, WE SEE DISEASE SETTLE IN, WHICH MAY OR MAY NOT LEAD TO SYMPTOMS. REGARDLESS OF THE PRESENCE OR ABSENCE OF SYMPTOMS, THE OBJECTIVE OF CHIROPRACTIC IS TO ADJUST THE SPINE AND RESTORE THE BODY BACK TO ULTIMATE FUNCTION"

What is chiropractic care?

Chiropractors use hands-on spinal manipulation or a chiropractic adjustment and other alternative treatments. The theory is that proper alignment of the body's musculoskeletal structure, particularly the spine, will enable the body to heal itself without surgery or medication. Manipulation is used to restore mobility to joints restricted by tissue injury caused by a traumatic event, such as falling, or repetitive stress, such as sitting without proper back support. 

Chiropractic treatment is primarily used as a pain relief alternative for muscles, joints, bones, and connective tissue, such as cartilage, ligaments, and tendons. There are many tools chiropractors can use to assist in their chiropractic services for patients, but the common denominator is to help the body feel, operate, and restore itself to be 100%.

What are the benefits and risks of chiropractic care?

Spinal manipulation and chiropractic care are generally considered safe, effective treatments for acute low back pain, the type of sudden injury that results from moving furniture, or getting tackled. Acute back pain, which is more common than chronic pain, lasts no more than six weeks and typically gets better on its own. Research has also shown chiropractic care to be helpful in treating neck pain and headaches.

All treatment is based on an accurate diagnosis of your back pain. The chiropractor should be well informed regarding your medical history, including ongoing medical conditions, current medications, traumatic/surgical history, and lifestyle factors. Although rare, there have been cases in which treatment worsened a herniated or slipped disc, or neck manipulation resulted in a spinal cord injury. To be safe, always check with your medical doctor to make sure your condition will benefit from chiropractic or other pain relief alternatives.

History of chiropractic care

The word ‘chiropractic’ comes from the Greek words cheir (meaning ‘hand’) and praktos (meaning ‘done’), i.e. Done by Hand. The name was chosen by the developer of chiropractic, Daniel David Palmer.

A prolific reader of all things scientific, DD Palmer realized that although various forms of manipulation had been used for hundreds if not thousands of years, no one had developed a philosophical or scientific rationale to explain their effects. Palmer’s major contribution to the health field was therefore the codification of the philosophy, art, and science of chiropractic which was based on his extensive study of anatomy and physiology. 

Palmer performed the initial chiropractic adjustment in September 1895. Palmer examined a janitor who had become deaf 17 years prior after he felt something “give” in his back. Palmer examined the area and gave a crude “adjustment” to what was felt to be a misplaced vertebra in the upper back. The janitor then observed that his hearing improved.

From that first adjustment, DD Palmer continued to develop chiropractic and in 1897 established the Palmer School of Cure, now known as the Palmer College of Chiropractic, in Davenport, Iowa, where it remains today. Following the first adjustment, many people became interested in Palmer’s new science and healing art. Among his early students were Palmer’s son, Bartlett Joshua (BJ), as well as members of the older healing arts of medicine and osteopathy. The first state law licensing chiropractors was passed in 1913, and by 1931, 39 states had given chiropractors legal recognition.

Today, there are more than 70,000 active chiropractic licenses in the United States. All 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands officially recognize chiropractic as a health care profession. Many other countries also recognize and regulate chiropractic, including Canada, Mexico, Great Britain, Australia, Japan, and Switzerland. Source

The chiropractic experts at Limitless Chiropractic specialize in many chiropractic services including Chiropractic Adjustments, Pregnancy Chiropractic Care, Pediatric Chiropractor Care & Upper Cervical Care.

Call Limitless Chiropractic today to schedule your chiropractic exam and consultation at 704-765-0454.