“The power that made the body, heals the body”-Anonymous

Presented by CJ Pickering

Live Your Best Life

Chiro-Care: The Practice that Makes Sense

What is chiropractic? The history of chiropractic medicine. The theory behind the medicine of

chiropractic care. Research on the use of chiropractic

medicine. How chiropractic medicine is applied. Education required.

Agenda

Chiropractic is a system of healthcare.

It is based on maintaining proper neurophysiological balance within the body (Center for Spirituality and Healing, 2012).

One of the foundational principles is the respect of homeostasis and the belief that the body can self-regulate.

What is Chiropractic?

Importance of…

Optimizes health through manipulation of the spine and articular frame work of the body. Non-invasive techniques, which yield tremendous health benefits for the patients.Treats the body as a whole, cohesive unit, as opposed to separate parts. Focuses on attaining highest level of health for the patient.

Like Allopathic Medicine, chiropractic is considered to be a complete system of healthcare (CSH, 2012).

It is not an isolated modality of treatment.

A Total Approach to Healthcare

The word “chiropractic” means “done by hand”.

According to the Center for Spirituality and Healing, chiropractic medicine is both complementary and alternative; however, the roots are definitively based in alternative medicine (2012).

The alternative side to chiropractic care involves harnessing the power of the patient’s inner intellect to guide them to health.

Complementary and Alternative

Since its humble beginnings in the late 19th century, chiropractic care has been under attack.

The first 95 years of chiropractic care faced much scrutiny from other members of the healthcare community.

The History of Chiropractic

Daniel David Palmer Bartlett Joshua Palmer

D. D. Palmer had an advanced understanding of the nervous system and itsrelationship to other systems in the body. He also discovered the importance of

sustaining homeostasis for health. In his early writings, D. D. Palmer

conceptualized “innate intelligence” with “the structure on function” in his original theory (CSH, 2012).

Chiropractic HistoryContinued

According to the Center for Spirituality and Healing, vitalism is a philosophical model that believes the principles governing life are different from the principles governing inanimate matter (2012).

Vitalism

Innate intelligence is an internal force that guides us in such a way to sustain health.

Chiropractors must abide by this law in order to facilitate an environment that is inducive to maintain homeostasis.

Innate Intelligence

Proper structure of the body is imperative for proper function to occur.

If one or more elements of the body are misaligned, then it will throw off the other structures; thereby, inhibiting healthy function.

Structure and Function

According to the Center for Spirituality and Healing, the nervous system is the primary regulator of bodily functions (2012).

The nervous system has great influence over all systems and organs of the body.

Nervous System Influence

Intervertebral Subluxation-common condition, results fromtrauma, postural stress, cognitiveabnormalities, disc degeneration Nerve Compression-intervertebral subluxations can compress nerves and affect theirnormal transmission Intersegmental Fixation-vertebral units are in normal position; however,

they have a limited range of motion

Nerve and Organ Dysfunction

Spinal Cord Compression-a severe condition, which results from spondylosis or a serious injury that the spinal region has sustained. Nerve Function Hypotheses-two common hypotheses areAxioplasmic Aberration and Somatoautonomic Reflex.

Nerve and Organ DysfunctionContinued

Nerve Cells

Throughout the history of chiropractic care research has been conducted despite a lack of funding.

Many companies did not want to provide the necessary resources because of the nature of chiropractic medicine.

Research on Chiropractic Use

Most clinical studies have focused on the safety and efficacy of spinal treatments.

Designing a proper study to measure the effects of the treatment have been problematic because of how the care is delivered.

Research Continued

Research has shown that spinal manipulation is a much more effective treatment for people who suffer from chronic headaches than medication (Bronfort et al., 2004)

Another study that was conducted showed that chiropractic treatments significantly improved patients who were suffering from mechanical neck disorders (Gross et al., 2002).

Evidence

A clinical study determined that chiropractic care, which included manipulative therapy and low-load exercise considerably, reduced the pain of patients who complained of chronic headaches and upper back pain (Jull et al., 2002).

Researchers concluded that patients who received spinal manipulation for managing chronic spinal pain and discomfort experienced more pain relief compared to those that just took medication (Giles & Muller, 2003) .

Evidence Continued

Increased energy Enhanced vitality Effective pain relief Increased flexibility and

durability Aids in the overall

prevention of illness and injury

Creates balance within the body

Preventative Effects of Chiropractic Care

A visit at a chiropractic’s office is similar to a visit at any other healthcare provider’s office.

Intake forms Physical examination Possibly x-rays Assessment tests Treatment plan

What to Expect from a Visit

All chiropractors must be licensed from an accredited institution and pass a four-part, national board examination.

Individual states have their own additional requirements, which are overseen by a state board of chiropractic examiners.

Education

Chiropractic care strives to encourage health by harnessing a patient’s own innate intelligence.

Chiropractors employ manipulative therapies to the body’s structures to improve function and health.

The goal of chiropractic care is to maintain homeostasis.

Proper structure is necessary for proper function.

The nervous system is the chief regulator of all bodily functions and plays an integral role in maintaining homeostasis.

In Summary

Aure, O., Nilsen, J., & Vasseljen, O. (2003). Manual therapy and exercise therapy in patients with chronic low back pain. Retrieved from http://journals.lww.com/spinejournal/pages/default.aspx

Bronfort G, Nilsson N, Haas M, Evans R, Goldsmith CH, Assendelft WJ, Bouter LM. (2004). Non-invasive physical treatments for chronic/recurrent headache. The Cochrane Database of Systemic Reviews.

Center for Spirituality and Healing. (2012). Chiropractic. Retrieved from http://www.csh.umn.edu/Integrativehealingpractices/chiro/intro/in01.html

Gilles, L., Muller, R. (2003). Chronic spinal pain. Retrieved from http://journals.lww.com/spinejournal/Abstract/2003/07150/Chronic_Spinal_Pain__A_Randomized_Clinical_Trial3.aspx

Gross, A.R., Hoving, J., Haines, T.A., Goldsmith, C.H., Kay, T., Aker, P., Bronfort, G. (2002). Manipulation and mobilization for mechanical neck disorders. The Cochrane Database of Systemic Reviews.

Jull, G., Trott, P., Potter, H., Zito, G., Niere, K., Shirley, D., Emberson, J., Marschner, I., Richardson, C. (2002). A randomized controlled trial of exercise and manipulative therapy for cervicogenic headache .

National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. (2012). An introduction to chiropractic. Retrieved from http://nccam.nih.gov/health/chiropractic/introduction.htm

Taking Charge of Your Health. (2011). Chiropractic. Retrieved from http://www.takingcharge.csh.umn.edu/explore-healing-practices/chiropractic

References