Chiropractic Care

Natural Health Doctor Says “Chiropractic is a Safe and Effective Treatment”

As a natural heath provider, writer, and lecturer in Jacksonville Beach, Fl. for 20 years, I have had the pleasure of speaking to and treating thousands of patients. In this time, I’ve found that most people are still confused about Chiropractic. So here’s a quick, straightforward look at the Chiropractic profession that I published a few years ago as a health writer for a newspaper here in Florida.

Chiropractic brings relief to tens of millions of people suffering from the aches and pains of arthritis, migraine headaches, stress, sports injuries, and many other conditions, including ear conditions, car accidents, and sciatica.

The American Medical association was initially successful in its campaign against chiropractic. But on August 27th, 1988, chiropractic was vindicated when the AMA was found guilty of lying to the public about chiropractic. Something most people are unaware of.

The AMA was forced to pay millions in restitution and print in the Journal of the American Medical Association that it had changed its policy of preventing medical professionals and doctors of chiropractic from working together for the benefit of the patient.

Chiropractic is both a science and an art. The science of chiropractic is the evaluation, diagnosis, and decision-making involved in the treatment of a patient’s health problems. This is based on current research and knowledge as it relates to the diagnosis and treatment of disease. The art of chiropractic is the specific adjustment techniques used by a skilled professional.

Joint manipulation itself is not a new concept. The first recorded manipulation was more than 5000 years ago in China. Ironically, Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, performed manipulation of the spine and taught these beneficial techniques to his students. The term “chiropractic” comes from ancient history and simply means “done by hand”.

On September 11, 1895, Daniel David Palmer performed the first recorded chiropractic adjustment in the United States. In 1898, Palmer started the first chiropractic school. Today there are over 17 chiropractic colleges in America, and many more across the world.

Like medical school, attaining a doctorate in chiropractic medicine requires a minimum of six years of college study. Studies are rigorous and include a minimum of a 2-year internship. Chiropractic and medical training is very similar, but because of chiropractic’s focus on the body’s nervous system, musculoskeletal system, and alternative approaches to health care, doctors of chiropractic require more training in gross anatomy, neurology, orthopedics, x-ray, rehabilitation, physiotherapy, and nutrition, as opposed to pharmacology and minor surgery.

A growing body of research supports chiropractic treatment. Prestigious groups and universities, such as the Rand Corporation, the Department of Health and Human Services, worker’s compensation, and Duke University show that chiropractic treatment is beneficial and many times better than traditional treatments for certain conditions. Costs are low when compared to treatments that rely on drugs and surgery.

Federal programs such as Medicare, Medicaid, and virtually every major insurance carrier and state worker’s compensation plans cover chiropractic treatment. All 50 states have statutes recognizing the practice of chiropractic as an independent health service. Board certified and licensed chiropractors are entitled by law to use the title of physician or Doctor of Chiropractic Medicine.

When it comes to safety, chiropractic has one of the best track records of any profession. Studies have shown the risks of serious injury to be less than one in a million to 1 in ten million. With over 30 million people treating with chiropractors each year, chiropractic has become the world’s second largest health care profession. Chiropractors are considered specialists and in my opinion, do not treat chronic diseases such as cancer or life threatening trauma, but rather educate people in the prevention of disease.

More and more chiropractors and medical doctors are enjoying good relationships and often work together. In the future, I envision all health care professions, as well as politicians and special interest groups, working together to improve the quality of health for all Americans, as well as improve the quality of care for all of those who suffer.

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As natural health care provider and chiropractic physician in Jacksonville Beach Fl, I see my job as educating, coaching, and nurturing my patients to better health and wellness.