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CHIROPRACTIC DOES NOT TREAT SYMPTOMS
... nor does it treat diseases. Chiropractic does not use drugs or surgery. It recognizes that the body heals if it is in balance. The body heals if the lines of communication are open. In the body, the communication lines are nerves. And the nerves move through the spinal column to the various parts of our body. No one thinks it odd that if we pinch a nerve in our back that we could get a tingle in our shoulder or arm. No one doubts that a pinched nerve in our back could cause a pain in our leg or side. It follows then, that since every organ and every system in our body is influenced by the nerves that communicate to them, then any compromise in that flow of energy would have an impact on the performance of that system or organ. By correcting any misalignment of the spinal vertebrae, known as a subluxation, chiropractic promotes the proper flow of information through the nerves and the body performs in a healthy manner.
   Now it becomes understandable how patients who visit a chiropractor can notice the alleviation of problems as varied as asthma, digestive problems, migraines or ear infections. It's all connected. And it's connected by the nervous system.
   Chiropractors often note that the belief that chiropractic is just for back pain is the greatest misconception they have to deal with in their practices. Chiropractic is preventive medicine as well as for the relief of the imbalances caused by acute or chronic spinal misalignment. And the nature of these imbalances can be as far-ranging as immune system problems or hearing loss in one ear or both.
   With the attention being given to the dangers of antibiotics, the side-effects of drugs and the invasive nature of surgical remedies, a health-care system that is effective and uses a completely natural approach becomes more appealing than ever. Even if your back doesn't hurt, it doesn't hurt to find out more about chiropractic.
Chiropractic is the fastest-growing and second-largest primary health care profession.
There are approximately 60,000 doctors of chiropractic (DCs) in active practice in the United States spread from rural areas to inner cities. More than 10,000 students are currently enrolled in chiropractic educational programs accredited by a federally-recognized body (CCE).

Chiropractic services are in high demand.
Tens of millions of Americans routinely opt for chiropractic services and this number is rapidly growing. In 1993, more than 30 million consumers made chiropractic a regular part of their health care program.

Doctors of Chiropractic receive extensive, demanding professional education on par with medical doctors (MDs) and osteopaths (DOs).
To receive the doctor of chiropractic degree, candidates must complete extensive undergraduate prerequisites and four years of graduate-level instruction and internship at an accredited chiropractic institution. Comprehensive knowledge of all systems of the body and diagnostic procedures enable the DC to thoroughly evaluate a patient, address disorders relating to the spine and determine the need for referral to another health care provider.

Doctors of Chiropractic are primary health care providers.
According to the Center for Studies in Health Policy, "The DC can provide all three levels of primary care interventions and therefore is a primary care provider, as are MDs and DOs. The doctor of chiropractic is a gatekeeper to the health care system and an independent practitioner who provides primary care services. The DC's office is a direct access portal of entry to the full scope of service."

Doctors of Chiropractic are licensed in all 50 states.
DCs have been licensed and recognized for many decades in all states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

Chiropractic is recognized by governmental health care programs.
Chiropractic is included in Medicare, Medicaid, Federal Employees Health Care Benefits Programs, Federal Workers' Compensation and all state workers' compensation programs. Chiropractic students are qualified to receive federal student loan assistance and DCs are authorized to be commissioned as health care officers in the U.S. Armed Forces.

The practice of chiropractic is based on sound scientific principles.
The existence of the nervous system as the primary control mechanism of the body is an undisputed scientific fact. Its relationship with the spine is the focus of the practice of chiropractic. The spine develops in utero to provide two primary functions: (1) allow for freedom of movement and (2) house and protect the spinal cord. When the vertebrae of the spine become misaligned through trauma or repetitive injury, two major consequences will result: (1) the range of motion becomes limited and (2) spinal nerves emerging from the spinal cord are compromised. DCs use the term "subluxation" to describe such disruptions. Interruption of nerve flow can eventually lead to pain, disability, and an overall decrease in the quality of life. Conversely, the removal of that interference has been shown to have significant, lasting health benefits. Through the adjustment of the subluxation, the doctor of chiropractic endeavors to restore normal nerve expression. The body is then able to respond appropriately to any imbalance in the system, thus relieving symptoms and restoring health.

Doctors of chiropractic provide effective, low-cost health care for a wide range of conditions.
Studies conducted according to the highest scientific standards and published by organizations not affiliated in any way with chiropractic institutions or associations continue to show the clinical appropriateness and effectiveness of chiropractic care. One of the most recent, funded by the Ontario Ministry of Health, stated emphatically that:

"On the evidence, particularly the most scientifically valid clinical studies, spinal manipulation applied by chiropractors is shown to be more effective than alternative treatments for low back pain...There would be highly significant cost savings if more management of low back pain was transferred from physician to chiropractors."

The doctor of chiropractic is an effective source of preventative and wellness care.
The anatomical focus of the DC on the human spine has created the perception of the DC as just a "back doctor." Although this perception is not entirely incorrect, it is very much incomplete. Doctors of chiropractic are a highly appropriate resource in matters of work-place safety, stress management, injury prevention, postural correction and nutritional counseling."

The process of chiropractic adjusment is a safe, efficient procedure which is performed nearly one million times every working day in the United States.
There is a singular lack of actuarial data that would justify concluding that chiropractic care is in any way harmful or dangerous. Chiropractic care is non-invasive, therefore, the body's response to chiropractic care is far more predictable than its reactions to drug treatments or surgical procedures. Of the nearly one million adjustments given every day in this country, complications are exceedingly rare. Perhaps the best summary statement on the subject of safety was published in 1979 by the Government of New Zealand which established a special commission to study chiropractic. They found:

"The conspicuous lack of evidence that chiropractors cause harm or allow harm to occur through neglect of medical referral can be taken to mean only one thing: that chiropractors have on the whole an impressive safety record."

Chiropractic Professional Populations as Compared to General Populations in Selected States

The population of doctors of chiropractic in active practice in the United States is reliably estimated to be 53,000.  The ratio of DCs to the general population, based on the Bureau of the Census figures is estimated to be one doctor of chiropractic for every 5,100 citizens.  This compared dramatically to the ratio of medical providers to the general population as there are well over ten times more MDs than DCs.  Thus the MD to general population ratio is approximately one to every 430 citizens. 
Spinal adjustment and manipulation of skeletal joints have been practiced throughout history. Even Hippocrates pointed out its value. "Look well to the spine, for many diseases have their origins in dislocations of the vertebral column," he wrote. Cultures as varied as Incan, Egyptian, ancient Chinese and Native American document the practice of spinal realignment. Polynesian cultures trained adolescents to walk on backs to adjust vertebrae. In the Renaissance period, the term "bone-setters" was used to describe healers who practiced the art. But it was not until one hundred and three years ago this month that the healing art now known as chiropractic began its transformation into the largest drugless, non-surgical health system in the Western world.

 

Information found here is not meant as an endorsement
of any particular therapy or practitioner.

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