.
Millions of North Americans depend on chiropractic therapy for treatment that is natural and drug free. This has made chiropractic the second-largest primary health care field in the world. From spinal adjustments intended to minimize pain to therapies that enhance athletic performance, chiropractic provides many different kinds of healing. Chiropractic is a well-established and respected form of therapy, and is steadily becoming more and more popular.
What is chiropractic?
Chiropractic therapy seeks to treat pain and illnesses caused by misaligned vertebrae in the spine. The original concept of chiropractic dates back 3,000 years, but the modern system was developed in the late 19th century by a Canadian named David Palmer. When the vertebrae are aligned properly, electrical impulses are transferred down the spinal chord to every cell in the body. A misaligned vertebra interrupts the electrical flow, throwing the nervous system out of balance. This is called subluxation. It essentially means that the vertebrae are not moving and are causing irritation.
Chiropractors aim to normalize the function of the body so it can help to heal itself. |
 |
What do chiropractors do?
Chiropractic uses a variety of techniques to return the vertebrae to their proper alignment. These may include spinal adjustment, or the gentle stretching of a joint. Chiropractors aim to normalize the function of the body so it can help to heal itself. Doctors of chiropractic are the only health care professionals trained to correct a dysfunctional spine.
|
The chiropractor will take a history to try and determine the source of your problem. They will do a full physical assessment to determine if the problem is chiropractic, or if you need medical consultation as well. This assessment covers examination of your spine and musculature as well as your gait, or walk. The examination may also include X-rays to determine the location of the misalignment. |
 |
How
often will I have to visit the chiropractor?
While treatment times vary by individual, many chiropractors suggest occasional
visits to help keep the spine in optimal shape.
What kind of training do chiropractic doctors receive?
Doctors of chiropractic must have a university degree, followed by four years of chiropractic college training. They must then write a national board exam as well as provincial exams. Chiropractors are well respected by the medical community and often work hand-in-hand with doctors.