what is chiropractic

The word chiropractic derives from the Greek word praxis and cheir, means practice or treatment by the use of hand (not by machine).

Application of Science Epistemology for Chiropractic Discussion

Definitions

LAWS: The proven facts of science.

THEORY: The generally accepted viewpoint of science. Data tends toward
proof and none seriously challenges it.

HYPOTHESIS: A statement made, assumed as leading to a conclusion, and in a
data-gathering mode. Sometimes called "the working tool of science".

CONJECTURE: Sometimes called premise, that is a statement made from qualification
and preparation, as opinion of events in nature. " An educated guess".

Chiropractic is a clinical science.

It is based on a law of biology that there is existent in the organism the ability to be healthy, and to get well. Often called the law of homeostasis, it is often stated as the ability to be well within itself and within its environment.

It draws on the theory of physiology that the nervous system, composed of the brain, the spinal cord, the peripheral nervous system, and the sense organs such as the eye and ear, controls and coordinates all other organs and structures, and relates the individual to his environment.

It hypothesizes a relationship between the integrity or health in the nervous system, and integrity and health in the individual.

It hypothesizes on the major premise that a loss of body framework integrity can relate to a loss of nervous system integrity. These associations of framework dysfunction, and nervous system dysfunction are called subluxations. Chiropractors treat subluxations (less than a dislocation), minor dislocations while Medical doctors treat major dislocations and fractures. Knowing when to choose a chiropractor may require some skill if the underlying symptom/problem is not straightforward. Therefore, any injury (or any neuro-musculo-skeletal symptom w/o trauma) where there is no fracture or dislocation should be consulted by a chiropractor. Call your chiropractor and find out if your symptoms are neuro-musculo-skeletal in nature and if Chiropractic is for you.

You will sit in the waiting room of a chiropractor and you will hear patients tell tales of chiropractic curing everything from the common cold to menstrual problems, from nerve conditions to cancer. You will ask, "Will chiropractic really cure all these problems?" The answer is, frankly, no. Chiropractic does not cure all these conditions - but your body, when it is working properly, WILL.

Due to its innate healing ability, your body has healed every condition that you have ever had, whether we speak of the cut fingers and toes of childhood, the puberty troubles of teens, or the chronic headaches, kidney problems, or other conditions you may have known as an adult. It is "life" in the body that is the great healer.

We all know that "communication" is the main key in a good relationship and family life, in good employer-employee relationships, and virtually in all situations where cooperation is essential. With over 40 billion working parts in the human body we can not overestimate the need for good communication between all the cells, tissues, and organs.

Your body is designed with its own Master Communication System called the Nervous System. This system comes complete with the brain, spinal cord, and all the nerves that travel throughout the body. This system is so vital that the brain and spinal cord are completely encased in bone - the skull and the spinal bones (vertebrate) respectively. All normal functioning takes place in the body because the nerve network is an open communication channel transmitting "job orders" from the brain to various parts of the body. If all the nerve networks are free and clear of interference, communication between different parts of the body will be good, and the body will be healthy with all parts working in co-operation.

We are all too familiar with the effects that an electrical breakdown in a major city would mean to the functioning of that city. Imagine, with a system as vast as your nervous system which controls over 40 billion functions, the disaster that occurs when there is an interference to the communication system. Even a minor disturbance to your nervous system could mean the slowing down or shutting off of thousands of messages that the brain is sending out over the nerves.

Nature in her wisdom built the spinal column with 24 moveable segments so that we could twist and turn and bend. She also installed pliable discs in between the segments to act as shock absorbers for the spine. In our daily activities, much of the force exerted into the spine is absorbed by these discs. There are certain laws of physics, however, that we can not violate. If the force upon the spine is greater than the spines ability to "resist" that force, then something must "give". Imagine a semi-truck running into a tree at 55 miles an hour - the tree has some pliability, but the force exerted would be so great as to overcome the tree's resistance. It would be obviously damaged.

The human body is a living, dynamic entity, experiencing constant change. Illness is a falling away from good health that takes place over a long period of time. Because symptoms are present both in failing health and in improving health conditions, chiropractors use them only as stress indicators and not as a basis to determine when you need an adjustment. During the healing process, your body will go through some changes that are accompanied by symptoms, and some that are not. You will learn to view your health differently, and not confuse feeling well with being well. With your first adjustment, all systems will begin to function correctly. However, the various musculature and ligamentous tissues that support your spine have been functioning without 100% vital nerve supply for some time before you discovered you had problems. As the nerve supply is restored, they will take up their job once more; all healing processes require time. Repair is made on a cellular level, so you must be "patient" while your body's innate intelligence assimilates its needs and makes proper distribution of nutrients, and eliminates the various toxic wastes. Symptomatically, you should begin to feel better, but true health is regained when all corrections have been made, your program of care is completed, and you maintain your enriched health with regular chiropractic checkups.