International Chiropractic Pediatric AssociationWhat is Chiropractic?
How does Chiropractic Work?
Your nervous system is so vital that key parts are protected by bone. The skull protects your brain. From the brain, the nerve impulses travel down the spinal cord (the information 'super highway' of your nervous system). Your spinal cord is protected by the 24 moving bones of your spine, called vertebrae. Nerves branch out between the vertebrae and travel to all areas of the body. A person cannot take a step without the brain telling the body to move.
Like a circuit breaker, when the vertebrae become misaligned or unable to move properly, it irritates and puts pressure on the nerves. This is called a "vertebral subluxation." The message from the brain is slowed down and the life energy carried by the nerve is unable to reach the organs and tissues at 100% of its potential. A chiropractor aligns the vertebrae through gentle adjustments to the spine, relieving the pressure on the nerves and allowing 100% of the nerve energy to reach the tissues it serves.
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Chiropractic is based on the absolute science that every function in the human body is directed and coordinated by the nervous system.
It is through this science that we know without a doubt that the body is a self-healing and self-regulating organism that knows how to heal itself from inside; the same way it knew how to grow from 2 cells into organs, glands, muscles, joints, eyes, ears and eventually into YOU! The body heals itself through the communication of the nervous system to the tissues in your body and guiding the correcting of any problems with the building of new tissue. It will do this as long as there is no interference in the nerve flow to the tissues in question. A Doctor of Chiropractic's primary goal is to help the body tap into this amazing, internal healing wisdom by removing interferences to this nervous system called subluxations.
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What is a Subluxation?
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An area in the nervous system where less light ("lux") or less nerve flow is able to be expressed. It is also a misalignment in the spine, which causes nerve interference. After a subluxation has existed for a period of time, symptoms will occur. The symptoms of subluxations differ greatly as the nerves in the spine go to different areas of the body. And only approximately 10% of the nerve function relates to pain and sensation! (See Somatic and Autonomic Nerve Chart above for more information) In some cases, the person may experience pain, numbness, or tingling. In other cases, the symptoms may go unnoticed except that the person has poor posture, is more susceptible to colds, tires more quickly, or starts having problems with an internal organ. Remember, the energy, which travels down the spinal cord and through the nerves, serves every area of the body. Therefore, any area of the body can be affected by a subluxation (see Vertebral Subluxation and Nerve Chart diagram below). Studies have shown that it only takes approximately the weight of a dime (10mmHg) nerve root and dorsal root ganglion's ability to function normally. 1
Uncorrected subluxations may result in and also accelerate existing spinal degeneration/decay, formerly called osteoarthritis (see below).
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How does Subluxation Occur?
Often the first subluxation occurs at birth. Think of that fragile spine being twisted and turned as the doctor pulls the infant through the birth canal. Studies have show that some doctors can use up to 80lbs of pressure on the baby's neck assisting childbirth - can you imagine how much trauma that can cause? Forceps, vacuum extraction, learning to walk, riding bikes, climbing trees, etc. are often other causes of subluxations. Adolescents who participate in sports may also experience problems. As adults, there may be auto accidents, work injuries, poor posture, or stress that affect the spine. Many of the activities of daily life can cause subluxations. The way we run, walk, sit and sleep are always affected by gravity, and the spine bears the most of this and can become subluxated if it has a excessive stress put on it. Subluxations, like viruses, can happen at anytime. Certain foods, drugs and other chemical substances may also react with your body and create subluxations. Dehydration is also a key cause of spinal dysfunction. Stress and other emotional triggers and chills can also affect the functioning of your spine through the physical tension they cause. Many subluxations however are caused in childhood and show up as problems later in life. Like the early stages of tooth decay, heart disease or cancer, vertebral subluxations can adversely affect your health, even if you don't have obvious symptoms.
Remember: You have a HEALTH problem, NOT just a back problem!
How Long will it take to Heal?
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Basic, Relief or Initial Intensive Care
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Intermediate, Corrective or Reconstructive Care
Continuing adjustments on a slightly less frequent basis to return the function of your spine to as near as possible to normal. This is the level of care that usually produces the major changes in the function of your spine and nervous system as chronic or underlying subluxations are corrected. Generally, the longer your spine has been working incorrectly, the longer it will take to change. This stage will enable you to make more supportive changes regarding every aspect of your lifestyle.
Advanced or Wellness Care
The lives of most people include ample opportunities to create subluxations. Wellness care involves regular spinal checks and adjustments to continue the improvement in the function of your spine and correct subluxations as you create them. Generally people in this level of care experience greater energy levels, improved ability to concentrate, they become sick less often, they are more able to adapt to stresses and they are overall more healthy and happy; functioning at a higher level.
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What Training do Doctors of Chiropractic Have?
Potential chiropractic students must have a minimum of 3 years of university prior to applying to Chiropractic College.
Accredited chiropractic Colleges are usually four (4) or five (5) year degree programs, with studies concentrated on Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Radiology, Clinical and Diagnostic Sciences, Chiropractic Philosophy, and Chiropractic Sciences. The Doctor of Chiropractic program also includes approximately 2000 hours supervised clinical experience.
The purpose of the chiropractic curriculum is to provide students with a thorough understanding of the structure and function of the human body in health and disease. The curriculum must also be designed and implemented in a manner that will provide appropriate opportunities for the student to become proficient in the cognitive, affective and psychomotor skills necessary for the competent practice of chiropractic.
All Doctors of Chiropractic must first pass rigorous national cognitive and clinical skills examinations as well as provincial regulation examinations prior to becoming licensed to practice in British Columbia.
| Minimum Classroom Hours Comparison Between Medical Students and Chiropractic Students: | |||
| Medical | Chiropractic | ||
| 508 | Anatomy | 540 | |
| 326 | Physiology | 240 | |
| 401 | Pathology | 360 | |
| 325 | Chemistry | 165 | |
| 114 | Microbiology | 120 | |
| 324 | Diagnosis | 324 | |
| 112 | Neurology | 320 | |
| 148 | X-ray | 360 | |
| 144 | Psychology | 60 | |
| 148 | Obstetrics | 60 | |
| 156 | Orthopaedics | 210 | |
| TOTAL HOURS | |||
| 2,706 | 3,065 | ||
| Other Required Subjects: | |||
Medical: Pharmacology, Immunology, General Surgery, etc. |
Chiropractic: Spinal Adjustment, Manipulation, Philosophy, Pharmacology, Advanced Radiology |
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| GRAND TOTAL HOURS | |||
| 4,248 | 4,485 | ||
What to Expect From Your Chiropractor:
1. A history of your presenting complaint and an overview of your general health.
2. An examination including relevant orthopaedic, neurological, chiropractic tests and an x-ray (or referral for one) as clinically indicated.
3. A diagnosis (what's wrong).
4. A prognosis (a likely outcome with or without treatment).
5. A treatment plan including monitoring to ensure you reach your agreed upon goals.
1. Muhs G, Alderson S. “The Effects of Mild Compression on Spinal Nerve Roots With Implications for Models of Vertebral Subluxation and the Clinical Effects of Chiropractic Adjustment: A Review of the Literature.” Journal of Vertebral Subluxation Research. (2001, September).