Overview of Chiropractic Care
A Brief History of Chiropractic
The first recorded chiropractic adjustment was performed on
September 18, 1895, by Dr. Daniel David Palmer, a Canadian-born
teacher and *healer*. Dr. Palmer was, at the time, studying the
cause and effect of disease. His patient was Harvey Lillard, a
janitor working in the same building as Dr. Palmer in Davenport,
Iowa. Mr. Lillard, who had complained of hearing problems for
over 17 years, allowed Dr. Palmer to examine his spine. Dr.
Palmer discovered a "lump" on Mr. Lillard's back
and suspected that a vertebra might be out of place, which he
then repositioned the vertebra with a gentle thrust. After
several such treatments, much of Mr. Lillard's hearing was
restored.
Since Dr. Palmer's first chiropractic adjustment, the art and
science of chiropractic has progressed significantly. Today,
advanced diagnostic procedures, sophisticated equipment,
scientific research, and the growing acceptance among other
health care professionals makes chiropractic a popular health
care choice.
Chiropractic Philosophy
The chiropractic perspective on health and disease emphasizes two
fundamental concepts:
1) the structure and condition of the body influences how the
body functions and its ability to heal itself; and
2) the mind-body relationship is instrumental in maintaining
health and in the healing processes.
Although chiropractic shares much with other health professions,
its emphasis and application of philosophy distinguishes it from
modern medicine. Chiropractic philosophy gravitates toward a
holistic ("total person") approach to healing which
combines elements of the mind, body and spirit and maintains that
health depends on obedience to natural laws, and that deviation
from such laws can result in illness.
Widespread Use of Chiropractic
Care
The increasing interest in alternative forms of care has caught
the attention of several health associations and government
agencies. A 1993 study in the New England Journal of Medicine
reported that "The estimated number of visits made in 1990
to providers of unconventional therapy was greater than the
number of visits to all primary care medical nationwide,"
and chiropractic was among the most frequently used non-medical
therapies. A follow-up report published in the Journal of the
American Medical Association in 1998 found that the use of
non-medical treatments had increased significantly since the 1990
survey, with "overall prevalence of use increased by 25%,
total visits by an estimated 47%, and expenditures on services
provided by practitioners of alternative therapies by an
estimated 45%." Of the survey respondents, one in nine (11%)
had used chiropractic care within the previous year.
Healthy Tips for a Healthy
Spine
STUDY SHOWS CHIROPRACTIC IMPROVES
NON-MUSCULOSKELETAL CONDITIONS
A new international analysis looks into the visceral or
non-musculoskeletal benefits of chiropractic care.
The experiment surveyed 5,607 chiropractic patients cared for by
385 doctors of chiropractic in Canada, the United States, Mexico,
Hong-Kong, Japan, Australia and South Africa.
The patients were asked if they had experienced improvement in
allergies, asthma, breathing, circulation, digestion, hearing,
heart function, ringing in the ears, sinus problems, urination
and other non-musculoskeletal concerns.
According to the report "positive reactions were reported by
2% to 10% of all patients and by 3% to 27% of those who reported
to have such problems."
"Most common were improved breathing (27%), digestion (26%),
and circulation (21%)."
Patients were slightly more likely to report non-musculoskeletal
improvement if they had been told they might have such reactions,
if they received adjustments to the upper cervical spine, if they
received adjustments to the lower thoracic spine or if they were
female.
The study's authors conclude that "a minority of
patients with self-reported non-musculoskeletal symptoms report
definite improvement after chiropractic care, and very few report
definite worsening.
Future studies should use stringent criteria to investigate a
possible treatment effect and concentrate on specific diagnostic
subgroups such as digestive problems and tinnitus."
The following tips can help you take better care of your
spine:
- Make sure you have a firm mattress that keeps the spine
aligned and supports the spine's natural curve. The best
sleeping positions are on your back or side.
- When standing for extended periods, rest one foot on a small
stool to maintain spinal curvature and relieve pressure. The
knees should be bent when bending forward. Low-heeled shoes may
help by maintaining spinal curvatures and cushioning your
weight.
- Use chairs that promote good posture and support your back.
Placing a lumbar support in the lower portion of your back may
help support your spine's natural curve. Readjust the seat of
your car so that y our knees are level with your hips.
- When bending forward, bend at the knees and hips, but keep
your back straight. This will help to keep your spine's
curvature in proper alignment. When lifting, keep your spine
straight while using your legs to do most of the work. Hold the
objects being lifted close to your body to keep the weight on
your spine to a minimum.
The ABC's of Subluxations - Vertebral subluxations are
displacements of the spinal bones (vertebrae) that can cause
stress to your spinal cord and nervous system. Subluxations may
be caused by poor sleeping habits, poor posture, strenuous
exercise, injuries, auto accidents, sports, slips or falls, and
in some cases, the birthing process itself. Chiropractic
adjustments are very helpful in correcting subluxations and
restoring optimal health.
VERTEBRAL SUBLUXATION CHART
The Vertebral Subluxation Complex (VSC) is a chiropractic model
depicting the components of the spinal column. One of the
components is called neuropathophysiology which describes how the
Vertebral Subluxation Complex produces interference to normal
function of the nervous system.
The chart below illustrates which organ systems can be affected
by a subluxation at a given spinal level.
Note - exact spinal levels may not exactly match symptoms - the
nervous system is extremely complex. For more information, please
ask Dr. Hennie.
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