Did you know that the profession of chiropractic is the largest natural primary care profession in the world? Long thought of as treatment for star athletes, workers injured on the job and those with whiplash or related conditions, chiropractic is now seen as a crucial part of maintaining a healthy body and of achieving pain-free longevity. Much as regular dental or eye care appointments are necessary for total health, chiropractic offers the individual a way to monitor the changes that come with aging and receive a regular ‘tune up’ to keep mind and body in a fully functioning and active mode. The professional practice objective of chiropractic treatment is not to diagnose or treat any specific disease, but rather to treat what is termed ‘nerve interference’ so that the body functions without structural impedance. Chiropractors provide care for the neuromusculoskeletal system, which encompasses bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments and nerves. Back and neck pain are treated with ‘adjustments’ that assist in good alignment of the vertebrae of the spine and result in relief from nagging aches and pains that are caused by nerve interference in the spine. Chiropractors do not ‘force’ misaligned vertebrae back into place – instead, they facilitate the body’s own natural correction of nerve interference, utilizing the body’s own abilities for internal self-healing and ongoing wellness.
Manipulation of the spine and surrounding muscles to achieve pain relief has a long history. Prehistoric cave paintings found in southern France, dating back to 17,500 BCE, depict humans maneuvering backs and legs. Spinal manipulation was common in ancient China as far back as 2700 BCE, and Greek papyruses dating from 1500 BCE show physical treatments for solving lower back problems. Diverse cultures as wide-ranging as Egypt, Japan, Tibet, Syria and Tahiti all provide evidence of natural healing using what we now term chiropractic methods. North American Indians employed ‘back walking’ as a method of straightening the spine, and in Mexico and Central America, the Mayan, Aztec and Toltec civilizations all practiced spinal manipulation. The Greek physician Hippocrates, the ‘father of modern medicine,’ was a proponent of the practice, stating that Nature was the great healer and that physicians held the responsibility of removing any obstruction to the patient’s innate ability to heal. Hippocrates believed in the concept that the natural healing ability of the body was due to the presence of ‘vital spirit,’ an indwelling energy that always directs the body to heal in a perfect manner. Galen, the famed Roman physician active in the second century AD, was the first to teach the proper positions and relationships of the vertebrae and the spinal column. Throughout the centuries that followed, ‘bonesetting’ became a skill employed by many to help families in rural villages achieve the physical stamina and good health required for their livelihoods.
True chiropractic practice is recognized as commencing with the groundbreaking work of Daniel David Palmer and his son, Bartlett Joshua Palmer, in the late nineteenth century. Moving from Canada to Iowa in the 1870’s, D.D. Palmer was the first to discover the correct method of specific spinal adjustment, and to develop the science and philosophy of chiropractic. Palmer achieved success with a great number of his patients, who sought out his techniques for conditions as diverse as sciatica, epilepsy, migraine, digestive issues, heart problems and chronic back pain. In the early twentieth century, however, the medical establishment won a minor victory when they conspired to have D.D. Palmer indicted for practicing medicine without a license. Palmer was fined and jailed, yet continued his commitment to the new profession and was active in education and later published two books on the subject. Palmer’s son, B.J., took over his father’s clinic and pursued licensing for the graduates of his chiropractic school. A brilliant, eccentric and gifted individual, B.J. Palmer was a prolific author, speaker and educator committed to the new practice of chiropractic, a term that his father had coined (‘chiro’ meaning ‘hand’ and ‘practic’ meaning ‘practice’ or ‘operation.’) Like his father, B.J. Palmer believed wholeheartedly in the idea of ‘Universal Intelligence’ (which he termed ‘the Innate’) actively circulating in the body to bring about physical and mental well-being.
The purpose of chiropractic is to remove ‘nerve interference’ through the use of adjustments to the spine and surrounding muscles to remove ‘subluxations’ which are the root cause of immune system dysfunction and disease. The spinal column and its twenty-four vertebrae are the chiropractor’s treatment specialty. The neck consists of seven vertebrae; the mid-back has twelve vertebrae, and the lower back, five. Seen from the back, the spine appears as a straight line, although it is rare to find someone whose spine is perfectly aligned. In most people, the spine curves slightly to the left or the right, and certain vertebrae may be slightly twisted or rotated. What is problematic about this situation is that a multitude of major nerves travel through openings in the various vertebrae to reach the extremities. If you have nerve interference, the brain’s messages, which are sent through this enormously complex network of critical nerves, can become distorted and add to the pain you are experiencing. Therefore, any impingement on the nerves by a misaligned spinal column creates subluxations which can, over time, not only manifest in chronic pain, but also contribute greatly to lowered vitality and a weakened immune system. Many painful conditions can be lessened or completely eradicated through regular chiropractic care, so it is one of the most valuable non-drug, non-surgical options available to us today.
Many people are not aware of the education and training required by the individual wishing to become licensed as a chiropractor. A Doctor of Chiropractic degree requires a four-year program on top of three years of undergraduate study. Chiropractors must study anatomy, physiology, pathology, chemistry, microbiology, diagnosis, neurology, X-Ray, obstetrics, orthopedics and psychiatry to a total of 2,887 hours (a medical doctor’s classroom hours total 2,706, by comparison.) Chiropractors are thus some of the most highly-trained professionals in the medical industry, and chiropractic schools also teach both pediatrics and geriatrics, as well as eye, ear, nose, throat and dermatology. Upon completion of their education, the new chiropractor must complete 900 hours of work in a clinical setting, where, rather than studying pharmacology or surgery, they obtain additional training in anatomy, nutrition, exercise, diagnosis, palpation and a range of supporting techniques. Then, the chiropractor must pass the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners exam and apply for a license to practice in their state, and often pursue doctoral programs, as all states require continuing education.
Regardless of this rigorous educational standard, the practice of chiropractic has been challenged by the medical profession since its inception. The famed Wilk vs. AMA case was a legal battle that lasted more than a decade. The case began in 1976, when an Illinois chiropractor, Chester Wilk, and four other chiropractors filed a restraint of trade complaint against the American Medical Association (AMA.) Despite the medical profession labeling chiropractors ‘quacks,’ it soon became evident that the AMA’s position was firmly rooted in economics – chiropractic, along with other ‘alternative’ natural health modalities, were becoming strong competitors in the healthcare marketplace. Over the years, as the case continued through the courts, it became increasingly clear that the AMA had launched a systematic campaign to destroy the credibility of chiropractic care. In 1990, the US Court of Appeals ruled that the AMA had indulged in a ‘lengthy, systematic, successful and unlawful boycott’ designed to restrict co-operation between medical doctors and chiropractors, with the intended outcome of ending the chiropractic profession. The US Court decision rejected the AMA’s ‘medical patient care’ defense and cited scientific studies which proved that ‘chiropractic care was twice as effective as medical care in relieving many painful conditions of the neck and back, as well as related musculoskeletal problems.’ In recent years, much has changed, and co-operation between MDs and DCs is much more evident, to the benefit of all those seeking this natural method of treatment.
Since chiropractic is proven to provide excellent benefits in dealing with back and neck pain, why do so many fear chiropractic care? Of course, it is always easier to take a pain pill or muscle relaxant than to engage in a course of chiropractic sessions, yet instead of simply masking the issue, hoping vainly for better outcomes at some later date, the more responsible and beneficial option for restoring health is to seek out and work with a qualified chiropractic doctor. Those who have had ‘bad’ experiences have often visited medical professionals with little true chiropractic training, as a chiropractic visit with a qualified Doctor of Chiropractic is typically an enjoyable and relaxing experience which can even trigger feelings of euphoria and expansiveness which can last from a day to a week. This is because body tissues have a memory which records and holds onto past traumas, injuries and accidents, including sensations of fright, shock and anger, many of which can be released through chiropractic adjustment. Chiropractors refer to this phenomenon as ‘retracing,’ and it is particularly relevant in today’s world. In osteopathy, this phenomenon is known as ‘unwinding,’ psychologists refer to it as ‘re-scripting,’ and the homeopathic term is ‘flashbacks’ – a three-part healing process that states that cure occurs first from the inside to the exterior, from the most vital to the least vital, and in the reverse order from how the symptoms appeared. We know now that pain often manifests from one’s mental and emotional state, and that an accident or injury can amplify these effects as our ‘pain brain’ holds onto these negative occurrences and translates them into physical pain that we feel every day.
If you have never tried chiropractic care, or the whole concept is unfamiliar to you, here’s what to expect. There are three stages of chiropractic care: initial/intensive care (pain/symptom management,) rehabilitative/corrective care (improved function/spinal changes) and wellness/elective care (non-symptomatic/preventative care measures.) When first visiting a chiropractor, you will be asked to provide your medical history and family medical history, pre-existing conditions, prior injuries, and information about any conditions for which you are receiving treatment from other health professionals. The chiropractor will examine you and determine the nature of the injury or pain while physically testing your muscle strength and mobility while holding certain positions and making certain movements. The first stage of chiropractic care for those with back or neck pain, sciatica or other painful or chronic conditions requiring immediate attention involves several visits throughout the week (even daily, in some extreme cases.) Once improvement is seen in the original problem areas, stage two chiropractic care concentrates on improving spinal health and assisting nerve function so that physical strength and the full range of activity are renewed. Third stage chiropractic care is the once or twice a month ‘tune up’ visit that keeps everything aligned and in great working order. Chiropractic adjustments are aided by the addition of regular massage, so if you are able to visit a massage therapist regularly, you will enjoy the extended benefits of your chiropractic care.
Many people are confused by the range of treatments that some chiropractors provide. Most older DCs were trained in the original Palmer style of chiropractic, a hands-on sequence of adjustments which are designed to provide immediate relief to the neck and back. These ‘Old School’ treatments, still the favorite of many chiropractic patients, have been joined in recent years by newer treatments with less reliance on manual adjustment, such as the use of spinal decompression equipment that is often recommended for bulging, herniated, degenerated or slipped discs. The spinal decompression machine provides a gentle stretching motion that enables a healthy flow of water, oxygen and nutrients into the surrounding tissues. The ‘flexion distraction’ method utilizes a special table that flexes the spine in a gentle up-and-down motion, allowing the chiropractor to work the back muscles of those who might be more sensitive to traditional adjustments. The Thompson drop-table technique also uses another specially-designed table with padded platforms which ‘drop’ the patient a fraction of an inch so that the chiropractor can properly execute the adjustment successfully. Your chiropractor might choose to utilize a small hand-held device called the ‘Activator,’ a spring-loaded device used on the outer edges of the vertebrae to provide gentle impulses which tone the nervous system and treat conditions ranging from lower back pain to headaches. Work with the Activator is painless and leaves the recipient feeling pleasantly energized. The Gonstead adjustment technique involves the patient sitting upright on the side of the table so that the chiropractor can work on the neck and upper back with specific and direct motions. This technique is also used with the patient lying on their side or back to address lower back and pelvic issues. A technique known as spinal mobilization involves lighter manual adjustment together with gentle stretching to reduce inflammation, ease pressure on joints, and improve nerve function. However, the ‘Old School’ method known as the diversified technique described above is currently used by 96% of chiropractors on 70% of patients, so is the most popular and well-known form. Diversified technique has three main purposes: to restore spinal alignment, repair joint dysfunction and ensure proper movement and mobility. By doing so, the nerves that run through the spine are freed and nurtured, allowing brain chemicals to flow through them unimpeded.
I hope that I have outlined for you how helpful chiropractic sessions can be instrumental in the successful treatment of most root sources of pain and inflammation. It is vital that you find a chiropractor whose personality you align with, so that you can trust that you are in the good hands (literally!) of a skilled health professional. If you have not worked with a chiropractor before, spend a little time doing your research. Call various offices and ask questions related to your issue, and discuss the methods that the chiropractor uses. Feel confident that you will connect with the right person for you. As with doctors, you might need to shop around to find the best fit for you. Once you have found that person, congratulate yourself that you have made an ongoing commitment to your own health and longevity that will last you well into your happy senior years!
Comments