Chiropractic Medicine
By Dr. Randi Fredricks, Ph.D.
These days, it seems as if there's as many chiropractors as there are lawyers, which is a good thing if you're in legal
trouble or you need a chiropractic adjustment. A growing concern exists that some chiropractics promote the constant
manipulation of the spine, as opposed to exercise to build the muscles around the spine and massage to keep those
muscles relaxed and subtle. In addition, some chiropractics still do not take x-rays prior to adjustments surrounding
injuries, a practice which can lead to more problems and additional pain.
In terms of mental health, chiropractic treatment can be an effective way in dealing with the anxiety and depression
associated with untreated pain. However, as with any health practitioner, it is crucial to find a chiropractor who
takes the proper steps to ensure your safety.
Chiropractics is a branch of the healing arts concerned with human health and disease processes. Chiropractics
are physicians who consider man as an integrated being, but give special attention to spinal mechanics, musculoskeletal,
neurological, vascular, nutritional, and environmental relationships.
In simple language, chiropractics is preventative health care. Chiropractics were early pioneers of holistic
health care offering an alternative to medicine through management and treatment of health disorders by employing proper
lifestyles, diet, nutritional therapies, exercise, and care of the spine and nervous system.
Chiropractics is the fastest growing health care profession in the U.S.
Chiropractics is the largest, drugless health profession in the world,
the second largest health profession overall, and
the fastest growing health care profession in the U.S.
Chiropractic epitomizes the recent history of alternative medicine because, although chiropractic may represent the most utilized alternative
therapy in the United States, organized medicine has spared no expense or energy in attempting to eliminate it.
Given this difficult history, it's amazing that increasing numbers of physicians refer patients to chiropractors or themselves engage in "manipulative
therapy."
Having successfully used the courts to quash physician opposition to their existence, chiropractors number about 45,000 in the United States
and now have licensing boards in every state.
Chiropractors tend to mix their treatment techniques with several other alternative therapies.
Despite its assimilation into mainstream health care, as well as substantial scientific evidence that manipulative therapy can be employed
successfully to relieve back pain, chiropractic health care remains controversial. First, some amount of discomfort remains regarding the
underlying theory of chiropractic, which is based on its founder's theory that ninety-five percent of diseases are caused by displaced vertebrae.
The fear here is that too much or incorrect manipulation could actually create problems.
Second, chiropractors resist any attempts to limit their practice to back care, applying their therapies to other ailments for which scientific
support remains insufficient, leading to complaints by physicians that chiropractors manipulate spines inappropriately and misuse X-rays.
Still, chiropractic practice is extremely viable, with some practitioners increasingly mixing their treatment techniques with several
other alternative therapies.
References (To view, roll mouse over the "References" heading; to hide, click on the heading)
American Psychiatric Association (2000), Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders. (4th Ed.). Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association.
Fredricks, R. (2008). Healing & wholeness: Complementary and alternative therapies for mental health. Bloomington, IN: Author House.
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