Alternative Medicine Essay, Research Paper

Chiropractic is the third largest doctoral-level health profession in the United

States, after medicine and dentistry. This form of health care is on the rise

and there are more than forty thousand chiropractors in practice in all fifty

states, the District of Columbia, and many other nations. Chiropractic is a form

of alternative medicine commonly used and accepted today. Chiropractic is

specifically defined as a therapeutic system of curing ailments and manipulation

of various body parts, particularly the spinal column. Although chiropractors

have had a hard time establishing a worthy reputation, times have changed and

studies are proving the benefits of chiropractic. In order for people to receive

natural, holistic, efficient, and cost-effective treatment, people should seek

doctors of chiropractic. (Thesis: "In order for?") Chiropractic was

first started by David Daniel Palmer in 1895. Palmer began his practices in

magnetic healing in response to his "never-ending thirst for

knowledge" in 1887 (Chiropractic OnLine Today). When he moved to Davenport,

Iowa, Palmer began chiropractic with his first adjustment on a janitor on

September 18, 1895. The janitor had been deaf for seventeen years after hearing

a pop in his back one day. Palmer concluded that one of his vertebrae was out of

place and so he "thrusted the vertebrae back into place" and the

man?s hearing automatically improved (Chiropractic OnLine Today). This was the

birth of the chiropractic theory, which means "to do by hand." Palmer

believed that "decreased nerve flow may be the cause of disease, and that

misplaced spinal vertebrae may cause pressure on the nerves" (Chiropractic

OnLine Today). In conclusion, he theorized, if the spinal column was accurately

positioned, the body would be healthy. Palmer began a chiropractic school,

Palmer Infirmary and Chiropractic Institute, in 1907. His son, Bartlett Joshua,

was one of the first fifteen graduated. Later in his life, Bartlett also had a

large impact on the chiropractic field when his dad ran into some legal

problems. Palmer?s son took over the school and helped chiropractic to gain

prominence in the medical field. Following its founding, chiropractic went

downhill and then in the 1940?s began to grow again. In July 1995, the first

Historical Centennial Celebration took place in Washington, DC with thousands of

professional in the field attending. (Background) Chiropractic is holistic and

concerned with a patient?s overall well-being. Chiropractic treatment

considers the whole person and "gives special treatment to the

physiological and biochemical aspects including structural, spinal,

musculoskeletal, neurological, vascular, nutritional, emotional, and

environmental relationships"(American Chiropractic Association). Many

people initially think of consulting a chiropractor for back pain only, but

there are many other components of chiropractic treatment and has the ability to

help many illnesses and problems. Because the spine is like the trunk of the

body, it can have impact on all areas of the human structure. The many moveable

parts of the spine make it a complex system. In addition to the twenty-four

vertebrae, there are joints between each vertebra. In such a system, "in

order to maintain balance, each one these joints must be moving entirely and

properly" (Bayuk). If just one component is out of line, the imbalance

disturbs the nervous system, called subluxation. Chiropractic helps the body

keep control of itself through manipulation of the spinal column. While the

spine helps control the muscles of the body, it also includes the body?s

ability to breathe properly, keep the heart beating, and other vital functions.

The spine column has many nerves that control the blood flow through blood

vessels, proper digestion, and the immune system. Just because chiropractors

focus on the spinal column, does not limit their field of treatment. In

actuality, this very fact is what allows chiropractic to help such a broad range

of problems and conditions. For example, a 1991 study at National College of

Chiropractic renders very promising news for women suffering from tortuous

menstruation. This FCER-funded study found that "women who received

chiropractic spinal manipulation reported significant reduction in back pain and

menstrual distress"(Joseph, Chiropractic Works). Along with menstruation,

headaches, allergies, asthma, stomach disorders, spastic colon, and arm, hand,

and leg pain are treatable by chiropractors. (Evidence #1) Chiropractic, in

addition to holistic, is efficient and cost-effective. Until recently,

chiropractic was ignored by most others, but new studies are confirming claims

of efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Now chiropractic is receiving much more

notice. While research is convincing the community of the effectiveness of cost

and capability of treatment of the chiropractic method, thousands of people,

worldwide, are finding restored mobility and alleviation from pain in their

doctor of chiropractic. Results of a Florida study indicated chiropractic

patients experienced shorter periods of total disability, and their cost of care

was less in comparison to patients of medical doctors. Another Utah study

reported that chiropractic care was "ten times less expensive than standard

medical care in compensation pay-outs" ( Joseph, Chiropractic Works). In

addition, a report in the Western Journal of Medicine found that "patients

of chiropractors were three times more satisfied with their care than patients

of family practice physicians" ( Joseph, Chiropractic Works). Health care

options are becoming more diverse and it is evident that chiropractic will be a

choice for many. (Evidence #2) Another benefit of chiropractic is that it is

natural. This is one of the primary characteristics that distinguishes

chiropractic doctors from medical doctors. Chiropractic does not use drugs or

surgery. The body heals and maintains itself. It is the chiropractor’s job to

make sure that the body is in balance and capable of doing its job on its own.

Chiropractic uses a form of treatment called vertebral adjustment or spinal

manipulation. An adjustment is a procedure in which a chiropractor skillfully

applies pressure to a region of the spine that is out of alignment. It is often

done by hand and helps lessen pain and inflammation. Chiropractors also perform

soft tissue manipulation through muscle massages and ultrasound stimulation,

physical examinations, X rays, counseling on lifestyle and nutrition, and

counseling on exercises for building flexibility, strength, and overall

well-being. However, chiropractors refer patients to another health care

provider if the patient?s condition or disease would be better treated through

other medical approaches. In most cases, chiropractors do not treat conditions

of cancer, internal injuries, lacerations and cuts, fractures of bones and

chronic ailments such as diabetes. Patients with these prognoses are referred to

a medical doctor by the chiropractor. (Evidence #3) "Is a chiropractor

really a doctor? Absolutely!" (Joseph, Chiropractic Myth Busters). For a

long time, millions of Americans rejected chiropractic treatment because they

were thought to be quacks by many medical doctors. But, now that studies are

supporting chiropractic treatment, people are beginning to comprehend that these

doctors, just like medical doctors, take a strict course of study to receive a

degree of Doctor of Chiropractic. After students completing high school, at

least two years of college and four to five years of chiropractic college must

be completed. Students take basic science courses as well as clinical science

courses. In addition to school, a clinical internship is required. Upon

graduation, a chiropractor is not permitted to practice just yet. First he or

she must pass a licensing exam administered by the state or the National Board

of Chiropractic Examiners, or both. Most boards rely on a three-part examination

to test basic sciences, clinical sciences, and clinical competency. A fourth

part has newly been introduced to evaluate practical skills. Chiropractors are

licensed in all fifty states and the District of Columbia. There is no reason

one should be concerned or stressed about the credentials of a chiropractor. To

verify a doctor?s professional credentials, one can call the state?s

Chiropractic Board of Examiners to validate if a particular chiropractor is

licensed and up to date with continuing education conditions. A concerned

patient can also ask if there is any record of disciplinary actions. The

prerequisites to become a chiropractic doctor prepare the doctors well and are

extremely difficult. It takes a well educated, hard worker, and disciplined

individual to accomplish such intense requirements. Students graduated and in

practice are sufficiently trained to treat the body in a natural, holistic,

efficient, and cost-effective manner. (Refutation and concluding statement)

American Chiropractic Association. 1999. *http://amerchiro.org/about_chiro/benefits.htm*.

Bayuk, Andrew, D.C. "What is Chiropractic?" 1989. *http://pages.prodigy.com/chiropractic/whatis.htm*.

Chiropractic OnLine Today. "Chiropractic Centennial Celebration."

2000. *http://www.chiro-online.com/*. Joseph, Louis, D.C. "Chiropractic

Works." November 1999. *http://www.hands-on-healing.com/chirowrk.htm*.

Joseph, Louis, D.C. "Chiropractic Myth Busters." November 1999.

*http://www.hands-on-healing.com/chirmyth.htm*.