Article Medically Reviewed By:
Dr. Cynthia Vaughn, DC
Doctor of Chiropractic Austin, TX
Angela Kargus
Staff member American Chiropractic Association Arlington, VA
Overview
What Is It?
Chiropractic care primarily involves manual manipulation, which restores joint mobility, as a treatment option for musculoskeletal disorders and as a way to improve overall health.
The term "chiropractic" comes from the Greek language and means "done by hand." Chiropractic care primarily involves manual manipulation, which restores joint mobility, as a treatment option for musculoskeletal disorders and as a way to improve overall health. The spine is the primary focus, butmanipulation can also be effective for other parts of the musculoskeletal system (MSS) such as extremities, including ankles, knees, hips, wrists, elbows, shoulders and ribs.
Chiropractors stress the importance of the relationship between the musculoskeletal system and the nervous system in regaining and sustaining health. Doctors of chiropractic—commonly referred to as chiropractors or chiropractic physicians—use adjustments, joint manipulation and other techniques to normalize spinal function, relieve various disorders and promote your body's natural healing process. Chiropractic treatment involves neither drugs nor surgery, and most chiropractors will advise you to consult with another health care professional if your condition requires a different type of treatment or if comanagement of your condition is appropriate.
Doctors of chiropractic believe in a holistic ("total person") approach to healing, which typifies the new and changing attitude toward health. It is based on the concept of "maintaining health" versus "treating disease." Chiropractic philosophy includes:
- recognition that dynamics exist between lifestyle, environment and health
- understanding the cause of illness in order to eliminate it, rather than simply treating symptoms
- recognition of the centrality of the nervous system and its intimate relationship with the capacities of the human body
- use of a patient-centered, hands-on approach focused on influencing function through structure
- focus on early intervention, emphasizing timely diagnosis and treatment of conditions that are wholly functional and reversible
In 2002, an estimated 7.4 percent of the population sought chiropractic care, a higher percentage than those who used yoga, massage, acupuncture, or diet-based complementary treatments. Approximately 22 million Americans used chiropractic care in 2007 alone. The practice is licensed in every state and the District of Columbia. There were about 60,000 licensed chiropractors practicing in the United States in 2005. Many other countries also recognize and regulate chiropractic, including Canada, Mexico, Great Britain, Australia, Japan and Switzerland.
Spinal manipulation has been practiced for thousands of years, and modern chiropractic care is more than a century old. Mo...
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