Chiropractic is a complementary and alternative health care profession with the purpose of diagnosing and treating mechanical disorders of the spine and musculoskeletal system with the intention of affecting the nervous system and improving health. It is based on the premise that a spinal joint dysfunction can interfere with the nervous system and result in many different conditions of diminished health. Some chiropractors use the term vertebral subluxation to describe what they treat. Others have dropped this concept and concentrate mostly on the musculoskeletal components of spinal injury and rehabilitation of the spine.

Chiropractic treatments vary depending on the patient's condition and the type of approach taken by the particular chiropractor. They often include spinal adjustments, although other interventions are used as well. In contrast, the term subluxation as used in conventional medicine is usually associated with specific conditions which are a direct consequence of injury to joints or associated nerves. It should be noted, however, that not all chiropractic institutions subscribe to the vertebral subluxation theory; notably schools in Canada,Denmark and the United Kingdom have rejected the subluxation model in favour of an evidence-based framework.

Today there are four main groups of chiropractors: "traditional straights", "objective straights", "mixers", and "reform". All groups, except reform, treat patients using a subluxation-based system. Differences are based on the philosophy for adjusting, claims made about the effects of those adjustments, and various additional treatments provided along with the adjustment.

Explanation

Manipulation of the spine is the main technique in today's chiropractic adjustment, or treatment. Though its use has been documented from the time of the ancient Egyptians,spinal manipulation in an attempt to correct the theoretical vertebral subluxation is solely a chiropractic endeavor. Chiropractic's contribution to the field of manipulative therapies is the concept of applying a precise adjustment to a specific affected vertebra, as opposed to the generalized maneuvers of the early osteopaths. While some chiropractors adhere strictly to the use of only spinal manipulation in their adjustment, others include a broad range of methods directed at correcting the subluxation and/or just relieving musculoskeletal pain.

Some chiropractors specialize in treating specific musculoskeletal problems or sports injuries, or they may combine chiropractic with manipulation of the extremities, physiotherapy, nutrition, or exercises to increase spinal strength or improve overall health. Some also use other complementary and alternative methods as a part of a holistic treatment approach. However, chiropractors do not prescribe drugs; they believe this to be the province of conventional medicine, and that their role is to pursue drug-free alternative treatments. Depending on the country or state in which the Chiropractic school is located, some train in minor surgery. When indicated, the doctor of chiropractic consults with, co-manages, or refers to other health care providers.

Recommended Book To Read

Introduction to Chiropractic
by Louis Sportelli

This book is well written in easy-to-understand language. Not only does the book provide a clear explanation of chiropractic, it explains how the body functions and gives pointers on maintaining good health. I highly recommend it to anybody who wants to understand why their body might be complaining and want to help themselves gain good health and well being. I also recommend it to all health care providers. As one who suffers from osteoarthritis, I find the suggested exercises extremely helpful. I refer to it as "my handy little instruction book" and refer to it often. It would be an excellent gift for everybody you love.