Chiropractor - Doctor of Chiropractic Medicine Profession (DC)
Information:
HISTORY OF THE PROFESSION
Chiropractic (derived from the Greek, meaning "done by hand") care dates back to the 1890s. The discipline was developed by Daniel David Palmer, a self-taught healer in Davenport, Iowa. Palmer's objective was to find a cure for disease and illness that did not use drugs, because he viewed drugs as harmful. Palmer studied the structure of the spine and the ancient art of manipulation. In 1895, Palmer treated a local janitor who complained of deafness after performing heavy labor in a stooped position. Upon examination, Palmer noted a lump on the janitor's back which he attributed to a displaced vertebra. Shortly after Palmer's manipulation of the janitor's back, his hearing was restored. Later Palmer claimed to successfully treat a man's heart condition using spinal manipulation. Based upon his success with these two cases, Palmer concluded that most disease is the result of spinal misalignment.
As more people began to seek Palmer's care, he refined his theory to state that many ailments were caused by the vertebrae impinging on the spinal nerves. Palmer called such interference with normal nerve transmission "subluxations." He stated that after manipulations or adjustments to correct the proper vertebral alignment, normal brain and nerve transmission are restored and the body is able to resume its innate ability to recover from illness. Palmer's son, Bartlett Joshua Palmer, continued in his father's footsteps as a trained chiropractic practitioner. He went on to reorganize and expand the chiropractic school his father had started in Davenport, Iowa.
Over the years, practitioners of chiropractic medicine have evolved into two categories: the "straight" chiropractors, who adhere strictly to Palmer's philosophy of only locating and eliminating subluxations; and the "mixer" chiropractors, who combine spinal adjustments with other adjunct therapies such as hot or cold treatments, nutrition counseling, and exercise recommendations. Today, the majority of practicing providers fall into the "mixer" category and frequently use new technologies in science to locate and eliminate subluxations.
SCOPE OF PRACTICE
Chiropractors take a medical history in much the same manner as other health care providers. They then perform an examination focused on detecting muscle strength versus weakness, the range of motion of the complete spine, any structural abnormalities, and the posture assumed by the patient in a variety of positions. X-rays are typically taken to identify "vertebral misalignments" and areas of spinal stress.
The chiropractor's principal method of treatment is through adjustments (spinal manipulations). Two common techniques used are the recoil thrust and the rotational thrust. The recoil thrust requires the patient to lie face down on a special table that moves slightly downward as thrusts are made by the practitioner to accomplish adjustments. The rotational thrust requires the patient to lie with the upper body twisted counter to the pelvis. The chiropractor then applies short, fast thrusts to the spine.
As mentioned under "History of the Profession," most chiropractors today use a variety of treatment methods in addition to adjustments.
PRACTICE SETTINGS
The majority of chiropractors are found in private practice settings or chiropractic clinics.
REGULATION OF THE PROFESSION
Similar to many other professionals, chiropractors are regulated at two different levels. Licensure is a process that takes place at the state level in accordance with specific state laws. Although there is currently no certification of chiropractors, national board examinations are conducted by the Federation of Licensing Boards of Chiropractors, thereby creating some national standards for chiropractic care.
Licensure: The licensure of chiropractors may differ significantly from state to state. Currently the majority of states require successful completion of the National Chiropractic Board examination prior to licensure. Some states also require passing a practical examination in addition to the written board exam. Some states will not license chiropractors who adhere only to the Palmer method, because they require graduation from a chiropractic school accredited by the Council of Chiropractic Education (CCE). This council will not accredit schools that teach and promote only the "straight" philosophies of chiropractic medicine.
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