Chiropractors and Holistic Medicine

 is the practice of medicine based on the relationship between the spine and the function of the body. The chiropractor believes that the body can heal itself given the right tools, nutrition and rest. The chiropractor will manually manipulate the spine in an effort to improve an individual\’s health without the need for surgery or medication. Practitioners in chiropractic medicine believe that many illnesses are due to a misalignment of the spinal cord.

Chiropractic medicine is a form of alternative medicine that focuses on diagnosing and treating problems of the spine, nervous system and musculoskeletal system. Today chiropractors are in high demand as they specialize in areas like pediatrics, sports injuries, neurology and orthopedics.

The use of chiropractic medicine dates back to the times of ancient Egypt. It wasn\’t until the 1890s that modern chiropractic medicine was defined by an American. People often seek chiropractic care primarily for pain conditions such as back pain, neck pain and headaches. The side effects which can be expected are dependent upon the type of treatment which is used. Individuals who use chiropractors as an alternative medicine practice should give the practitioner a full picture of their previous medical history and how they wish to manage their health. This will help the practitioner coordinate with the primary care physician and the patients to receive safe care.

The origin of the word chiropractic combines the Greek words cheir and praxis to describe a treatment done by hand. Hands-on therapy is central to chiropractic care. Chiropractic medicine in the United States is considered part of complementary and alternative medicine. This fits the definition of holistic medicine which means an approach to medical care that emphasizes the study of all aspects of a person\’s health it, including physical, psychological, social and economic.

Holistic medicine is a broad descriptive term for healing philosophy and doesn\’t include just chiropractic medicine. Holistic medicine includes healing traditions that promote the protection and restoration of health through theory is based on the body doctor of chiropractic natural ability doctor of chiropractic heal itself.

To practice chiropractic care in the United States, a practitioner must earn Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.) Degree from a college accredited by the Council on Chiropractic Education. This council is the agency certified by the US Department of education. In order to be admitted to a chiropractic College an individual is required to have received a minimum of 90 semester hour credits of undergraduate study, mostly in the sciences. At that point chiropractor at education is a four-year academic program which includes both classroom work and direct experience caring for patients. At the end of their initial education some chiropractors pursue a two or three year residency for training in specialized fields.

Although once considered quack medicine, chiropractic medicine has enjoyed a surge of growth in the United States. In fact, many health maintenance organizations and private health care plans cover chiropractic treatments, as do all state workers compensation system. Chiropractors are able to bill Medicare and many states cover of chiropractic treatment under Medicaid.

This increased acceptance by the insurance industry marks a huge step forward of acceptance for holistic medicine and alternative medicine treatment plans. While chiropractic medicine may be a part of the holistic medicine genre, increased acceptance and its proven research has also improved the acceptance by traditional Western medicine practitioners.

RESOURCES

William Jarvis Ph.D.: CHiropractic a Skeptical View

Internation Chiropractic Pediatric Association: Chiropractics: At the Crossroads Between Mainstream and Alternative Medicine

Mental Health Care: Chiropractic Care

National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Chiropractic

American Chiropractic Association: What is Chiropractic?

Journal of Chiropractic Medicine

National University of Health Sciences: Doctor of Chiropractic Degree