Chiropractic
|
|
The word Chiropractic derived from a Greek word meaning "done by hand," refers to a method of health care that stresses the relationship between structure and function in the body.
Chiropractic is a system
of therapy in which disease is considered the result of abnormal function
of the nervous system. The method of treatment usually involves
manipulation of the spinal column and other body structures. To achieve
this, the practitioner uses his or her hands or an adjusting tool to
perform specific manipulations of the vertebrae. When these bones of the
spine are not correctly articulated, resulting in a condition known as subluxation, the theory is that nerve
transmission is disrupted and causes pain and illness manifested in the
back as well as other areas of the body.
History of Chiropractic
Chiropractic is a form of spinal manipulation, which is one of the
oldest healing practices. Spinal manipulation was described by Hippocrates
in ancient Greece. Chiropractic was developed by Daniel David Palmer in
1895, he believed that 95% of all health problems could be prevented or
treated using adjustments of the spine (spinal adjustments), and 5% by
adjustment of other joints, to correct what he termed vertebral
subluxations. He, and his son B.J. Palmer, proposed that subluxations were
misaligned vertebrae which caused nerve compression that interfered with
the transmission of what he named Innate Intelligence.
Doctors of chiropractic, who are also called chiropractors or chiropractic
physicians, use a type of hands-on therapy called manipulation (or
adjustment) as their core clinical procedure.
The basic concepts of chiropractic can be described as follows:
• The body has a powerful self-healing ability.
• The body's structure (primarily that of the spine) and its function are
closely related, and this relationship affects health.
• Chiropractic therapy is given with the goals of normalizing this
relationship between structure and function and assisting the body as it
heals.
Chiropractic Schools College Institute Office/ Training/ Certification
Chiropractic training is a 4-year academic program consisting of both
classroom and clinical instruction. At least 3 years of preparatory
college work are required for admission to chiropractic schools. Students
who graduate receive the degree of Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.) and are
eligible to take state licensure board examinations in order to practice.
Some schools also offer postgraduate courses, including 2- to 3-year
residency programs in specialized fields. The Council on Chiropractic
Education, an agency certified by the U.S. Department of Education, is the
accrediting body for chiropractic colleges in the United States.
Side effects in chiropractic treatment:
Patients may or may not experience side effects from chiropractic
treatment. Effects may include temporary discomfort in parts of the body
that were treated, headache, or tiredness. These effects tend to be minor
and to resolve within 1 to 2 days.
Health insurance and chiropractic treatment
Compared with CAM therapies as a whole (few of which are reimbursed),
coverage of chiropractic by insurance plans is extensive. As of 2002, more
than 50 percent of health maintenance organizations (HMOs), more than 75
percent of private health care plans, and all state workers' compensation
systems covered chiropractic treatment. Chiropractors can bill Medicare,
and over two dozen states cover chiropractic treatment under Medicaid.
If you have health insurance, check whether chiropractic care is covered
before you seek treatment. Your plan may require care to be approved in
advance, limit the number of visits covered, and/or require that you use
chiropractors within its network
|
A few Alternative Therapies |
|
Atlas Orthogonal Midwifery Childbirth Support |
Lymph Drainage Therapy Ohashiatsu |
Tibetan Medicine Vitamin Therapy Exercise balls- used in physical therapy |
| List of branches of alternative and Complementary Medicine grouped in following categories |
|
Acupuncture
Somapractic |
Osteopathy
pulse diagnosis
Chromotherapy |
Mindfulness
Transcendental
|
