Why Chiropractic?
What is Chiropractic?
The word chiropractic, from the Greek words “praxis” and “cheir”, means practice or treatment by hand. A
person’s spine is made up of twenty-four vertebrae that “house” the spinal column and spinal nerves.
When the vertebrae are misaligned or “out of place," this is termed subluxation. A chiropractor will bring
harmony back to the body and nervous system by correcting the subluxation, or “realigning” the vertebral
column to its proper place
The goal of a chiropractor is to bring the body back to a state of homeostasis giving maximum ease of
movements with the least amount of pain to the patient.
The word chiropractic, from the Greek words “praxis” and “cheir”, means practice or treatment by hand. A
person’s spine is made up of twenty-four vertebrae that “house” the spinal column and spinal nerves.
When the vertebrae are misaligned or “out of place," this is termed subluxation. A chiropractor will bring
harmony back to the body and nervous system by correcting the subluxation, or “realigning” the vertebral
column to its proper place
The goal of a chiropractor is to bring the body back to a state of homeostasis giving maximum ease of
movements with the least amount of pain to the patient.
Chiropractic Education
Educational requirements for doctors of chiropractic are among the most stringent of any of the health
care professions.
The typical applicant at a chiropractic college has already acquired nearly four years of pre-medical
undergraduate college education, including courses in biology, inorganic and organic chemistry, physics,
psychology and related lab work. Once accepted into an accredited chiropractic college, the requirements
become even more demanding — four to five academic years of professional study are the standard.
Because of the hands-on nature of chiropractic, and the intricate adjusting techniques, a significant
portion of time is spent in clinical training.
Doctors of chiropractic — who are licensed to practice in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and in
many nations around the world — undergo a rigorous education in the healing sciences, similar to that of
medical doctors. In some areas, such as anatomy, physiology, and rehabilitation, they receive more
intensive education than most medical doctors of physical therapists.
Educational requirements for doctors of chiropractic are among the most stringent of any of the health
care professions.
The typical applicant at a chiropractic college has already acquired nearly four years of pre-medical
undergraduate college education, including courses in biology, inorganic and organic chemistry, physics,
psychology and related lab work. Once accepted into an accredited chiropractic college, the requirements
become even more demanding — four to five academic years of professional study are the standard.
Because of the hands-on nature of chiropractic, and the intricate adjusting techniques, a significant
portion of time is spent in clinical training.
Doctors of chiropractic — who are licensed to practice in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and in
many nations around the world — undergo a rigorous education in the healing sciences, similar to that of
medical doctors. In some areas, such as anatomy, physiology, and rehabilitation, they receive more
intensive education than most medical doctors of physical therapists.
Like other primary health care doctors, chiropractic students spend a significant portion of their curriculum
studying clinical subjects related to evaluating and caring for patients. Typically, as part of their
professional training, they must complete a minimum of a one-year clinical-based program dealing with
actual patient care. In total, the curriculum includes a minimum of 4,200 hours of classroom, laboratory
and clinical experience. The course of study is approved by an accrediting agency which is fully
recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. This has been the case for more than 25 years.
Before they are allowed to practice, doctors of chiropractic must pass national board examinations and
become state-licensed. Chiropractic colleges also offer post-graduate continuing education programs in
specialty fields ranging from sports injuries and occupational health to orthopedics and neurology. These
programs allow chiropractors to specialize in a healthcare discipline or meet state re-licensure
requirements.
This extensive education prepares doctors of chiropractic to diagnose health care problems, treat the
problems when they are within their scope of practice and refer patients to other health care practitioners
when appropriate.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
References
Meeker W, Haldeman H. Chiropractic: A Profession at the Crossroads of Mainstream and Alternative Medicine. Annals of Internal Medicine 2002, Vol 136, No 3.
American Physical Therapy Association. 2005-2006 Fact Sheet, Physical Therapist Education Programs. January 2007.
studying clinical subjects related to evaluating and caring for patients. Typically, as part of their
professional training, they must complete a minimum of a one-year clinical-based program dealing with
actual patient care. In total, the curriculum includes a minimum of 4,200 hours of classroom, laboratory
and clinical experience. The course of study is approved by an accrediting agency which is fully
recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. This has been the case for more than 25 years.
Before they are allowed to practice, doctors of chiropractic must pass national board examinations and
become state-licensed. Chiropractic colleges also offer post-graduate continuing education programs in
specialty fields ranging from sports injuries and occupational health to orthopedics and neurology. These
programs allow chiropractors to specialize in a healthcare discipline or meet state re-licensure
requirements.
This extensive education prepares doctors of chiropractic to diagnose health care problems, treat the
problems when they are within their scope of practice and refer patients to other health care practitioners
when appropriate.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
References
Meeker W, Haldeman H. Chiropractic: A Profession at the Crossroads of Mainstream and Alternative Medicine. Annals of Internal Medicine 2002, Vol 136, No 3.
American Physical Therapy Association. 2005-2006 Fact Sheet, Physical Therapist Education Programs. January 2007.
History of Chiropractic Care
The roots of chiropractic care can be traced all the way back to the beginning of recorded time. Writings
from China and Greece written in 2700 B.C. and 1500 B.C. mention spinal manipulation and the
maneuvering of the lower extremities to ease low back pain. Hippocrates, the Greek physician, who lived
from 460 to 357 B.C., also published texts detailing the importance of chiropractic care. In one of his
writings he declares, "Get knowledge of the spine, for this is the requisite for many diseases".
In the United States, the practice of spinal manipulation began gaining momentum in the late nineteenth
century. In 1895, Daniel David Palmer founded the Chiropractic profession in Davenport, Iowa. Palmer
was well read in medical journals of his time and had great knowledge of the developments that were
occurring throughout the world regarding anatomy and physiology. In 1897, Daniel David Palmer went on
to begin the Palmer School of Chiropractic, which has continued to be one of the most prominent
chiropractic colleges in the nation.
Throughout the twentieth century, doctors of chiropractic gained legal recognition in all fifty states. A
continuing recognition and respect for the chiropractic profession in the United States has led to growing
support for chiropractic care all over the world. The research that has emerged from " around the world"
has yielded incredibly influential results, which have changed, shaped and molded perceptions of
chiropractic care. The report, Chiropractic in New Zealand published in 1979 strongly supported the
efficacy of chiropractic care and elicited medical cooperation in conjunction with chiropractic care. The
1993 Manga study published in Canada investigated the cost effectiveness of chiropractic care. The
results of this study concluded that chiropractic care would save hundreds of millions of dollars annually
with regard to work disability payments and direct health care costs.
Doctors of chiropractic have become pioneers in the field of non-invasive care promoting science-based
approaches to a variety of ailments. A continuing dedication to chiropractic research could lead to even
more discoveries in preventing and combating maladies in future years.
The roots of chiropractic care can be traced all the way back to the beginning of recorded time. Writings
from China and Greece written in 2700 B.C. and 1500 B.C. mention spinal manipulation and the
maneuvering of the lower extremities to ease low back pain. Hippocrates, the Greek physician, who lived
from 460 to 357 B.C., also published texts detailing the importance of chiropractic care. In one of his
writings he declares, "Get knowledge of the spine, for this is the requisite for many diseases".
In the United States, the practice of spinal manipulation began gaining momentum in the late nineteenth
century. In 1895, Daniel David Palmer founded the Chiropractic profession in Davenport, Iowa. Palmer
was well read in medical journals of his time and had great knowledge of the developments that were
occurring throughout the world regarding anatomy and physiology. In 1897, Daniel David Palmer went on
to begin the Palmer School of Chiropractic, which has continued to be one of the most prominent
chiropractic colleges in the nation.
Throughout the twentieth century, doctors of chiropractic gained legal recognition in all fifty states. A
continuing recognition and respect for the chiropractic profession in the United States has led to growing
support for chiropractic care all over the world. The research that has emerged from " around the world"
has yielded incredibly influential results, which have changed, shaped and molded perceptions of
chiropractic care. The report, Chiropractic in New Zealand published in 1979 strongly supported the
efficacy of chiropractic care and elicited medical cooperation in conjunction with chiropractic care. The
1993 Manga study published in Canada investigated the cost effectiveness of chiropractic care. The
results of this study concluded that chiropractic care would save hundreds of millions of dollars annually
with regard to work disability payments and direct health care costs.
Doctors of chiropractic have become pioneers in the field of non-invasive care promoting science-based
approaches to a variety of ailments. A continuing dedication to chiropractic research could lead to even
more discoveries in preventing and combating maladies in future years.
| Active Health Chiropractic PLLC Dr. John Hamilton 2323 S. Troy Street , 3-107 Aurora, Colorado 80014 303.766.2357 |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| Active Health Chiropractic PLLC Dr. John Hamilton 2323 S. Troy Street , 3-107 Aurora, Colorado 80014 303.766.2357 |