Appointments:
510.205.5442
|
|
"Life is but the expression of spirit through matter. To make life manifest requires the union of spirit and body." - D.D.Palmer
|
| |
|
|
|
|
What Is Chiropractic?
According to the National Institutes of Health, chiropractic is a health care approach that focuses on the relationship between the body's structure—mainly the spine—and its functioning. Although practitioners may use a variety of treatment approaches, they primarily perform adjustments to the spine or other parts of the body with the goal of correcting alignment problems and supporting the body's natural ability to heal itself.
Key concepts of chiropractic include:
- The body has a powerful, innate ability to heal itself.
- The body's structure (primarily that of the spine) and its function are closely related - this relationship affects health.
- Therapy aims to normalize this relationship between structure and function and assist the body as it heals.
The practice of chiropractic is based primarily on the subluxation. The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines subluxation as the
"partial dislocation (as of one of the bones in a joint)". The primary connection between the brain and the body is through
the spinal cord and the numerous nerve branches that exit the spine between the bony segments. When these bony segments, called
vertebrae, are misaligned they put pressure on the spinal cord and nerve branches causing interference with the brain-body
communication. The primary goal of chiropractic is to correct subluxations, removing nerve pressure and restoring the brain-body connection.
In addition to the correction of subluxations, chiropractors may include other treatments and approaches including, but not limited to:
- Diagnostic X-Rays
- Heat and ice
- Electrical stimulation
- Cold laser
- Therapeutic ultrasound
- Physiotherapy
- Diagnostic laboratory tests
- Counseling regarding diet, weight loss, and lifestyle factors
- Dietary supplements
The practice of chiropractic in the United States, is limited to holders of a Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.) degree from a college accredited by the Council on Chiropractic Education (CCE), an agency certified by the U.S. Department of Education to accredit chiropractic colleges in the United States. Chiropractic training is a 4-year academic program that includes both classroom work and direct experience caring for patients. Coursework includes instruction in the biomedical sciences, as well as in public health and research methods. Currently, there are four National Board examinations required for licensing in most states, in addition to annual requirements of continuing education credits.
|
|
