One of the founding fathers of Chiropractic, B. J. Palmer, explained chiropractic as being “a philosophy, a science, and an art of all things natural.”
Chiropractic philosophy is the major difference that separates Doctors of Chiropractic from Medical Doctors. It is this philosophical component that gave rise to the profession in the first place.
Chiropractic philosophy is based on the fact that doctors don’t heal the body. The healing process, along with immune system function and other disease and repair mechanisms, is controlled by the nervous system. Chiropractic care is based on the objective of reducing nervous system dysfunction so the body can assume its inborn ability to heal itself. Termed Innate Intelligence in the chiropractic profession, this ability for the body to heal itself has been referenced in many other healing arts and even in modern medicine. It is this philosophical component of Chiropractic that has lead to the scientific foundation of what we know Chiropractic to be today.
Chiropractic is based on the scientific fact that the nervous system controls the function of every cell, tissue, organ and system of your body. From wiggling your toes to digesting your food to fighting off a viral infection, it is the nervous system that controls and coordinates all of our body’s functions.
Our brain communicates with the rest of our body through our spinal cord which is protected by the 24 movable bones of the spinal column called vertebrae. Between these vertebrae are pairs of nerve roots that relay the nerve impulses from the brain to the specific tissues and organs these nerves innervate, and vice-versa. The unique clinical concern of Doctors of Chiropractic is the clear transmission of these nerve impulses.
If the vertebrae lose their normal function (i.e. motion or position) they may irritate the spinal nerves, impeding proper fffunction of those organs or tissues under nnnervous ccontrol. When one encounters stresses such as those mechanical, chemical, and emotional stresses we encounter everyday, our body slips into a state of dis-ease. Abnormal vertebral function complicated by pain, ill health and associated degenerative changes of the bone, muscle, and soft tissues are referred to as the Vertebral Subluxation Complex.
Using advanced examination techniques a Doctor of Chiropractic outlines a program of care to help normalize spinal function and improve nervous system integrity using spinal adjustments and other recommendations appropriate to your condition and lifestyle. The Chiropractic approach is to find the underlying cause of a patient’s health problem, not to treat symptoms.
Chiropractic care is safe and effective for people of all ages, from children to the elderly. |
