What Is Chiropractic?

Chiropractic employs neither drugs nor surgery. Instead it concerns itself with the relationship between structure (primarily the spine) and function (as coordinated by the nervous system) of the human body and how that relationship affects the restoration and preservation of health.

"Get knowledge of the spine, for this is the requisite for many disease."

- Hippocrates, 460-377 B.C.

There are two fundamental axioms or premises on which the Profession is based :-

1. that the body is a self regulating, self healing organism
   
2. that the nervous system is the “Master Controller” of all cells, tissues and structure with in the body

Accepting these two facts, it then stands to reason that if we interfere with nervous system function in any way, we ultimately must alter the body’s ability to self-regulate and heal.

As the brain and spinal cord are housed in the bony framework of the skull and spinal column, chiropractic is based on the functional relationship that exists between these structures.

In 1895 DD Palmer, the founder of the Chiropractic Profession, through clinical observation, conjectured that:-

• “Subluxations” - misalignments in the complex structures of the spine that interfere with the normal transmission of mental impulses - establish a state of “ DIS- ease” or imbalance within the body.
• It was the role of the Chiropractor to identify “Subluxations” where present and to reduce their negative effects by applying a site and vector specific chiropractic adjustment thus restoring “ease”.
• The removal of nerve interference was essential for the preservation and restoration of health.

Today the chiropractor, following five rigorous academic years of study, is trained to know the structures and functions of the human body and to recognise the interrelationship of all parts. Chiropractic education centers on the concept of health, not disease. Chiropractors provide a highly appealing primary health care approach because they do not perform surgery or prescribe medicine. Chiropractic is sought increasingly as the public's awareness of their responsibility for health maintenance grows. If, however, a Doctor of Chiropractic determines the patient requires attention from another branch of the healthcare professions, that recommendation or referral is encouraged.
 
Chiropractic is fast becoming the care of choice, as the majority of people today look for an alternative to conventional "sickness care" models and are interested in exploring a profession that promotes "lifetime wellness" rather than short-term disease management.