River of Life Chiropractic

Chiropractic (from Greekchiro- χειρο- “hand-” + praktik�s πρακτικός “concerned with action”) is a complementary and alternative medicinehealth care profession that focuses on diagnosis,treatment and prevention of mechanical disorders of the musculoskeletal system and the effects of these disorders on the functions of the nervous system and general health. It emphasizes manual therapy including spinal adjustment and other joint and soft-tissue manipulation. Traditionally, it is based on the premise that a vertebral subluxation or spinal jointdysfunction can interfere with the nervous system and result in many different conditions of diminished health. Today, this alternative form of therapy examines the relationship between structure and function and its impact on neurological mechanisms in both health and disease.

Chiropractic was founded in 1895 by D. D. Palmer in the USA, and is practiced in more than 100 countries.

Chiropractors usually obtain one of the following equivalent first professional degrees in chiropractic medicine (D.C. or D.C.M. or B.Chiro or M.Chiro). Chiropractors use a combination of treatments that are predicated on the specific needs of the individual patient. A chiropractor can develop and carry out a comprehensive treatment and management plan that can include spinal adjustments, soft tissue therapy, prescription of exercises, and health and lifestyle counseling.

Chiropractic was founded in 1895 by D. D. Palmer in the USA, and is practiced in more than 100 countries. Since its inception, chiropractic has been controversial, both within the profession and in the medical and scientific community, particularly regarding the metaphysical approach espoused by its founders and advocated by “straight” chiropractors. This same criticism may have been the catalyst that allowed some within the profession to emphasize primarily a neuromusculoskeletal approach in their educational curriculum, leading them away from the original metaphysical explanations of their predecessors towards more scientific ones.

Chiropractors have historically fallen into two main groups, “straights” and “mixers”; both have had off-shoots. Significant differences regarding scope of practice, claims made about spinal manipulation, and beliefs regarding professional integration, differentiate the various schools of thought and practice styles held within the profession. There have been internal conflicts that exist to this day. Traditional and evidence-based chiropractic beliefs range from vitalism to materialism.

The utilization of chiropractic has increased in popularity. The profession has remained unified with a continuous commitment to clinical care. Chiropractic’s greatest contribution to health care may be its patient-physician relationship and hands-on treatment. Patients are usually satisfied with the treatment they received.

The principles of evidence-based medicine has grown in prominence and have been used to review research studies and generate practice guidelines. The efficacy of chiropractic treatment has not been rigorously proven. Chiropractic care is generally safe when employed skillfully and appropriately. The cost-effectiveness of maintenance chiropractic care is unknown. Vaccination remains controversial within the chiropractic community.