After medicine and dentistry, chiropractic is the world’s third largest health care system. The word chiropractic finds its etiology from the Greek words cheiro (hand) and prakrikos (done by hand). The chiropractor manipulates the backbone with his hand to bring back into alignment the vertebrae that are partially misaligned or misplaced. This restores the normal flow of neurohormonal secretions in the spinal cord and the attached nerves, so that the body recovers from pain and the diseases causing that pain.

Chiropractors manipulate the bones and muscles of the body, usually by hand. This applies more to the spinal column or the backbone which is adjusted to rehabilitate the normal functioning of the nervous system.

As an art, chiropractic is very old. Manipulative massage was practised over 2,000 years ago. Ancient Greeks manoeuvred legs for relief of low back problems. Many tribes in North America like the Sioux and Creek and the Aztecs, Mayans, and Toltecs of Central America used manipulative practices. However, in the context as it is understood today, the whole system was formulated by Daniel David Palmer in 1895. He established the Palmer School of Chiropractic at Davenport, USA, in 1903.

How Chiropractic Works

Chiropractic looks for partially misaligned and dysfunctional vertebrae (subluxations) and other joints off-centre that may be impinging upon normal neurological functioning. Through chiropractic manipulation, these maladjustments are removed so that the flow of neurohormonal secretions is restored and the body recovers from pain and the diseases causing that pain. Pain is the body’s signal of distress or dysfunction. Caught early enough, it can be treated with chiropractic adjustment that may help to put the body’s own healing mechanisms back on track.

Chiropractic lays stress on the concept of ’susceptible-host’ an individual’s predisposition to disease. Heredity, environmental pathogens (bacteria and other disease-causing substances), nutritional habits, misaligned vertebrae, physical and mental stress factors, and learned responses to stress all contribute to disease. Chiropractors look for muscular and skeletal trauma from falls and accidents, strains and sprains. They note postural and occupational distortion that may induce abnormal joint function or muscle tonus (partial contraction).

Chiropractic treatment is said to work on three levels:

1. Mechanical/Anatomical. It restores movement by improving anatomical relationships and functions through a variety of spinal manipulation and joint mobilisation techniques.
2. Neurological/Reflexive. It tackles specific soft and hard tissue (joint, muscles, and fascial) by manipulations that change nerve signalling patterns, and therefore, physiological functioning.
3. Mental/Emotional Role. It exercises healing aspects of human control with its hands-on methodology, and its effect on the mind and motivation of a patient.
Chiropractic is best used for pain and disorders before the body has deteriorated into a pathological or diseased state.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Diagnostic techniques involve the use of X-rays of the bones, blood, urine, neurological, and orthopaedic tests.
Chiropractic treatment involves pushing, pulling, and leveraging muscle against bone, and bone against bone. The more traditional practitioners limit their therapy to adjusting the spine. The more liberal ones add complementary or auxiliary treatments, such as nutritional supplements, relaxation techniques, and diet counselling.

Precautions and Prospects

Chiropractic is not good for all kinds of pain and discomfort. The initial examination must determine that the pain, such as low back pain, is not due to an internal organ disease or derangement. Also, in the hands of a less than skilled practitioner, clients can sustain minor strains and sprains or worse.
Chiropractic is very useful for those who experience low back pain, slipped discs, and sports injuries. Clients are treated for bad posture, sprained muscles and ligaments, and accident-related injuries. Chiropractic has also helped rheumatic and arthritic conditions of neuromuscular or vascular origin, affecting both the spine and limbs.

Chiropractors treat neuritis, lumbago, sciatica, neuralgia, and knee, hip, and muscular pains. Some chiropractors also excel in treating dysfunctions with psychosomatic origins, such as migraines and other headaches, neurosis, and conditions arising due to stress. They are also said to be able to correct visceral dysfunctions affected by irritation of the autonomic nervous system.