The Background and Development of Chiropractic: The Basis for the Academics of Chiropractic Practitioners

The history of chiropractic care can be traced a very far back. As far back as 2700 B.C. and 1500 B.C., Chinese and Greek literature mentioned spinal manipulation as a pain reduction method and treatment of the lower extremities. The role of chiropractic care was discussed by the likes of Hippocrates, an esteemed Ancient Greek physician. His words were, Get knowledge of the spine, for this is the requisite for many diseases.?

In the later part of 19th century, spinal adjustment (also known as manipulation) picked up steam in the United States. Chiropractic as a profession was first introduced to an Iowan town by Daniel David Palmer in 1895. With a detailed knowledge of physiology and anatomy, Mr. Palmer established the Palmer School of Chiropractic. This school is still well regarded as one of the most solid educational institutions of chiropractic care.

The 20th century saw the legal recognition of chiropractic practice all over the United States. The acknowledgment of chiropractic care in the United States has helped it gain increasing support and recognition in the world at large. Worldwide contributions, such as clinical findings and research studies, have done a lot for the reputation of chiropractic care.

The benefits of chiropractic care were effectively discussed in a report titled Chiropractic in New Zealand (1979), which supported medical physicians and chiropractic collaboration. A Canadian study called Manga (1983), showed the cost benefits of chiropractic care.

Over the years, chiropractic care has spearheaded the practice of non-invasive care in favor of preventative, science-backed treatment approaches to a wide variety of conditions. The treatment of conditions will likely receive more input from chiropractic care as efforts in research continue.

Educational Background for a Chiropractor: Chiropractic schooling consists of four to five years of training and education at an accredited chiropractic institution. The students enrolled in these programs have to finish 4,200 hours of classroom, lab, and clinical practice. The Council of Chiropractic Education also stipulates that students obtain at least 90 hours of undergraduate, science-related coursework. Students must also pass the national board exam and take any statewide test; these effectively confer the ability to practice as a chiropractic doctor.

Covering health topics and the clinical sciences, the chiropractic curriculum gives the student the means to fully grasp the body's structure and functioning. Training in biochemistry, anatomy, physiology, differential diagnosis, radiology, and therapeutic methods are all required. This, in turn, enables the chiropractor to both diagnose and treat patients.

The Council of Chiropractic Education has determined that chiropractors are primary care providers. The designation of ?doctor? is indeed appropriate to refer to chiropractors, and they are viewed as physicians by Medicare, and in most American states. According to the American Chiropractic Association, the term chiropractic physician is appropriate; they endorse the use of it in its Policies on Public Health.

Employing a holistic and natural approach to treatment, chiropractic doctors acknowledge the human body's ability to heal on its own. As such, it foregoes the use of medication and reliance on surgeries. The chiropractic focus on biomechanics, the spinal structure and function as well as its effect on the neurological and musculoskeletal system, allows it to focus on these systems' optimum functioning as a way to promote health.

As supporters of wellness care and public health, chiropractors employ preventative approaches and conservative treatment. Chiropractors regularly treat a wide scope of conditions of a neuromusculoskeletal nature, such as joint pain, neck pain, and low-back pain. Evidence has shown that chiropractors possess the expertise to treat non-neuromusculoskeletal conditions like allergies, asthma, and digestive disorders, for example. Osteoarthritis, tendonitis, sprains and strains (to name a few) are also treated with chiropractic care.

Over time, doctors of chiropractic have learned of effective means to maintain and restore health. At the same time, chiropractic care is not stagnant and continues to expand its treatment approaches and procedures.