One of the most specialized branches of the healing arts, chiropractic care is used to treat problems such as: lower back pain, stress-related headaches, and neck pain. It is also effective in controlling pain associated with arthritis.
The chiropractor's tool is the spinal adjustment. It is not a massage. The adjustments reset the alignment of the spine to restore normal nerve function. The method dates back to ancient Greece and Hypocrites, the Father of Medicine.
Background
Established in 1895, the first
chiropractic license in the US was issued in 1913. Today, every state and
territory licenses chiropractic, as do all provinces in Canada, and many
countries worldwide. Doctors of Chiropractic are recognized as primary care
doctors in all 50 states giving more than 200 million treatments each year in
the US Workers Compensation programs often call upon chiropractic health care to
treat injured employees, as do most insurance companies. All American citizens
are entitled to chiropractic care under the Medicare programs.
Professional Training
It takes at least seven
years of college to earn a Doctor of Chiropractic degree. The chiropractic
student is required to study human anatomy, spinal anatomy, neuro anatomy,
chemistry, diagnosis and x-ray. Like medical doctors, the DC must obtain a
basic science background in a college or university and then attend a four-year
accredited College of Chiropractic. The focus of the education is in
maintaining health with a specialty in spinal care.