Chiropractic
Chiropractic is a healthcare discipline that emphasizes the inherent recuperative power of the body to heal itself without the use of drugs or surgery. The practice of chiropractic focuses on the relationship between structure (primarily the spine) and function (as coordinated by the nervous system) and how that relationship affects the preservation and restoration of health. Chiropractic care is used more often to treat neuro-musculoskeletal complaints, including, but not limited to back pain, neck pain, TMJ dysfunction, headaches, pain in the joints of the arms and legs, athletic injuries and more. Chiropractors are also well versed in rehabilitative processes to help the muscles of the body get back to optimal performance and functioning.
Doctors of Chiropractic undergo rigorous training and education under the health sciences, similar to that of medical doctors. In some areas, such as anatomy, physiology, rehabilitation, nutrition, and public health, they receive more intensive education than their MD counterparts. As part of their professional training, Chiropractors 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.
Did you know?
Chiropractic care has been around for more than 100 years.
80% of Americans will suffer from back pain at some point in their lives.
In the western world 85% of people will be disabled by back pain at some point in their lives. (Spine 12(3):264-268.)
Nealry 30% of the U.S. population aged 18 and older have used chiropractic care (The Gallup Organization - 1991.)
WCB studies indicate a 45-55% saving in overall costs when treatments are provided by a chiropractors instead of a medical doctors. (California, 1972 - Wisconsin, 1978 - Florida,1988 - Utah,1991 - State of Victoria, Australia, 1992)
9 out of 10 chiropractic users feel their treatment is effective. (The Gallup Organization - 1991.)
"Chiropractic patients were 3 times more satisfied with their care than patients of family practice physicians." (Western Journal of Medicine - 1989.)
Today there are approximately 50,000 chiropractors in the United States, 10,000 in Japan, 5,000 in Canada, 2,500 in Australia, 1,000 in the U.K. and 100-500 in each of Belgium, Denmark, France, Italy, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, New Zealand, South Africa, and The Netherlands.