|
The best known and most widely used
alternative therapy in the United States today, chiropractic focuses on the
manipulation of the spine and other joints to help treat a variety of problems
involving bones, joints, muscles, ligaments, and tendons.
Chiropractors primarily use their
hands to apply pressure to a joint or group of joints. (In fact, the name
"chiropractic" is derived from Greek words meaning "done by hand.") This
treatment is known as an "adjustment" or a "manipulation." The aim of using
manipulation is to provide relief for pain or stiffness, and to improve posture
as well as the function of nerves, joints, and muscles.
Spinal manipulation has been practiced
for thousands of years; there are records of it from ancient
Egypt and
China. The birth of modern chiropractic, however, is often cited as September
18, 1895, the date that Daniel David ("D. D.") Palmer, a grocer and apprentice
of magnetic healing in Davenport, Iowa, reportedly
restored hearing to a man who had been deaf for 17 years, simply by adjusting
misaligned vertebrae.
In the years that followed, Palmer
founded the first chiropractic school and refined his discipline, becoming
convinced that pinched nerves caused by misalignments of the vertebrae were
responsible for nearly all disease. His work remains the foundation of many
aspects of chiropractic today.
How Does It Work?
Chiropractic takes a structural,
nutritional, and emotional approach to health care. The chiropractor aims to
gently restore the natural and delicate balance that exists in all healthy
individuals.
To do this, a chiropractor locates
vertebrae that do not move properly, particularly along the spine. These areas
are called subluxations and they can cause inflammation and eventually pain and
dysfunction in nerves, joints, and muscles. Chiropractors treat subluxations by
adjusting the bones (and their associated muscles and joints) gently with their
hands. When misalignments are corrected, according to chiropractic theory, the
integrity of the nervous system is restored, ensuring optimal function.
What You Can Expect
After reviewing your medical history,
the chiropractor will discuss your general health with you and conduct a
thorough physical examination, which will include orthopedic and neurological
evaluations. The session might include a review of past X rays or you may be
asked to have new ones taken. The course of treatment will probably include a
series of adjustments to help realign your spine, neck, or other problem areas.
The chiropractor may ask you to lie
down on a padded massage-type table for spinal adjustments or you may be seated
on a stool or in a special chair that provides access to your back. You may be
treated fully clothed or asked to undress and wear a hospital gown.
Before doing any manipulation, the
chiropractor should explain exactly what the process involves. Typically,
chiropractic is performed using very little force, although techniques vary. As
the chiropractor applies pressure to your spine, you may hear (and feel) a
popping sound, like a knuckle cracking. You should not feel any serious
discomfort from the adjustment, however. If you do, it is important to let the
chiropractor know immediately. Many patients find the experience relaxing. Most
describe feeling less pain, reduced tension, and more flexibility in the areas
that were adjusted.
Some chiropractors (called "straight"
chiropractors) adhere strictly to D.D. Palmer's theories, using only spinal
adjustments to treat problems. Others (known as "mixers") combine spinal
adjustments with adjunct therapies such as massage, heat or ice treatments,
rehabilitative exercises, acupuncture, cranial manipulation, and nutritional
counseling.
An initial visit usually lasts at
least an hour. Subsequent visits may only take 10 to 30 minutes. Sometimes one
session with a chiropractor is all that is required to relieve pain. An average
course of treatment for an acute problem involves three to five visits a week
for two weeks.
Chiropractors generally have working
relationships with M.D.s and D.O.s (doctors of osteopathy) and will refer you to
one--often an internist or a neurologist--if your condition persists and further
testing or treatment appears necessary.
Health Benefits
Chiropractic has been shown to be a
particularly useful treatment for the relief of acute (or temporary) low back
pain. In 1994, the United States Agency for Health Care Policy and Research
recommended chiropractic manipulation as a safe initial form of treatment for
acute low back pain in adults. The agency urged most patients to try
conservative treatment such as chiropractic before opting for more aggressive
measures such as drugs and surgery.
Chiropractic care can also ease pain
in the mid-back, neck, and joints of the arms, hands, and legs. Although
scientific research has not provided conclusive proof of its effectiveness, many
people report that chiropractic provides relief from the pain of migraine and
other headaches, muscle spasms, and nerve inflammation that can cause numbness
and tingling.
How To Choose a Practitioner
Chiropractors are licensed in all 50
states and the District of Columbia, and must pass a certification exam with the
National Board of Chiropractic Examiners. A Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.)
usually has a bachelor's degree, four to five years of graduate study in
chiropractic care, as well as clinical training. Many health insurance policies
cover chiropractic.
Cautions
1. If you have been diagnosed with rheumatoid
arthritis, sciatica, or osteoporosis, have your chiropractor consult with your
primary care physician prior to treatment (certain kinds of spinal manipulations
could make these conditions worse).
2. If your back pain is accompanied by a fever,
it's important to consult your primary care doctor, or have your chiropractor do
so, to rule out conditions that need medical attention.
| 
