Chiropractic
Chiropractors go to school to learn the art of Chiropractics; it is the science of returning a person to wholeness through the inner doctor within the patient. It is the art of communicating with the "Innate Intelligence" who resides within each of us, the life force which resides in all living things in the universe. Some may refer to this living presence as many things; if you are a spiritual person this being would be God within you. The Innate Intelligence within us only wants what is good for us, especially our health. Because life is the presence of health and well being, this life force is not present in dead tissue. A Chiropractor knows that it is the Innate Intelligence who does all healing and that he/she can only assist in this process with His* help.
* His- relating to the Innate Intelligence or Universal Intelligence
A Chiropractor does not try to treat disease or physical conditions as a Medical Doctor would. The M.D. treats a patients disease with chemicals and surgery, the Chiropractor is not trained in the same way ; the D.C. practices a non-drug related (non-allopathic) form of health care. The Chiropractor sees the nervous system as having a essential role in health (wholeness) and disease. The spine mediates the relationship between the nervous system and the body. Many medical branches believe this theory as well, osteopathy, European medicine and physiotherapy. One look at a quote from Hippocrates will tell you that this is not a new revelation-- "Look well to the spine for the cause of disease."
The art of Chiropractics is not only looked upon as an art, but as a science and as a philosophy. The chiropractic student is required to take Chiropractic Philosophy, for a minimum of two years. The Chiropractors see themselves as the primary healthcare provider in many countries of the world. This profession used to be looked upon as an alternative to regular medical care by an M.D. but has now taken on the more contemporary term of being "complimentary care". The Chiropractic lifestyle is one of healthy eating, exercise and keeping your body in total alignment by using your inner being, the inner intelligence within to help keep things in line with body, mind and soul. The model used by the Chiropractic community using the spine as an important source for healing the body, has also played an important role in the Osteopathic community. Some scientific studies have proven that spinal manipulation has been acknowledged as a crucial and successful way of dealing with spinal pain and other back disorders.
The precepts at the heart of a Chiropractors practice are not to harm the patient in any way. Through a thorough evaluation of both a case history and physical examination, a accurate diagnosis can be reached. An examination of any X-Rays will help reach a decision in the diagnosis also. Some times a patient's care may depend on the care of their primary care physician because of a deeper medical condition that exists. When this is the case your Chiropractor will be glad to refer you to a medical doctor if you do not have a primary care physician.
When chiropractic care is needed, the next step will be to diagnose the condition of the pelvic and spinal areas. Chiropractors have perfected a system of analysis which will assist the doctor in making a more precise diagnosis in each individual case. It thoroughly covers a wide array of problems that can plague the musculoskeletal regions of the body. The Chiropractor is always concerned about the relationship between the spine, the nervous system and the overall health of the person he or she is treating. The chiropractor will give the spine some extra attention to be sure it is in proper alignment and that movement is painless. To quote Thomas Alva Edison-- "The doctor of the future will give no medicine, but will interest his patients in the care of the human body, in diet, and in the cause and prevention of disease." This line of thought came through in the writings of many people, another one of which is; Ralph Waldo Trine--""The true physician will be a teacher; his work will be to keep people well, instead of attempting to make them well after sickness and disease comes on; and still beyond this there will come a time when each will be his own physician."