What is Chiropractic
Chiropractic is a branch of the healing arts which is based upon the understanding that good health depends, in part, upon a normally functioning nervous system...especially the spine, and the nerves extending from the spine to all parts of the body..."Chiropractic" comes from the greek word Chiropractikos, meaning "effective treatment by hand."
The conditions which Doctors of Chiropractic address are as vast and as varied as the nervous itself. All chiropractors use a standard procedure of examination to diagnos a patient's condition and arrive at a course of treatment.
Doctors of chiropractic use the same time-honered method of consultation, case history, physical examination, labratory analyisis, x-ray examination as any other doctor.
The examination of the spine to evaluate structure and function is what makes chiropractic different from other health care providers.
Accidents, falls, stress, tension, overexertion, repetitive motions, even sleeping wrong and countless other factors can result in a displacement or derangement of the spinal column causing irritation of spinal nerve roots. Derangement of surrounding soft tissues such as ligaments, tendons and muscles often are affected.
Chiropractic also places an emphasis on nutritional and exercise programs, wellness and lifestyle modifications for promoting physical and emotional well being.
While chiropractors make no use of drugs or surgery, Doctors of chiropractic do refer patients for medical care when those interventions are indicated.