“Chiropractic is a health care profession concerned with the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disorders of the neuromusculoskeletal system and the effects of these disorders on general health. There is an emphasis on manual techniques, including joint adjustment with a particular focus on joint subluxation /dysfunction.” – The World Federation of Chiropractic.
Well, that just about covers it….
However, there is an underlying tenet that there is a relationship between structure, particularly of the spine, and function, especially the parts coordinated by the nervous system.
Additionally, there is an emphasis on education and patient control of their care which has been shown to be an important factor in the success of chiropractic management and the high levels of patient satisfaction.
We are seen by thousands of patients every day. 60% of these patients are complaining of back pain, 20% of other musculoskeletal pain and 10% with headaches of one sort or another. The research now shows, without doubt, that chiropractic is effective in ntreati9ng these conditions and several important multidisciplinary panels have shown it to be appropriate for first-line management of patients with low-back pain – anyone who suggests otherwise is a Luddite.
My current favourite is the report in Spine from the 2000-2010 Task Force on Neck Pain and its Associated Disorders where mobilization and manipulation are recommended as safe, effective and appropriate approaches for most patients with disabling neck pain.
And I’m sure there is more to come.
