HISTORY OF CHIROPRACTIC
Modern chiropractic was discovered in Davenport, Iowa in 1895 when Dr. D.D. Palmer performed the first chiropractic “spinal adjustment” on his deaf janitor, Harvey Lillard. Lillard’s hearing returned and Palmer thought he had discovered a cure for deafness. But as patients with digestive troubles, sciatica, menstrual troubles, migraines, back pain, and many other conditions responded to his “hand treatments” (as he first called them), Palmer realized that he had discovered something more far-reaching indeed. Palmer was aware of his place in history. He realized that his discovery was not new, as he wrote: “I am not the first person to replace subluxated vertebrae, for this art has been practiced for thousands of years.”
WHAT IS CHIROPRACTIC?
Chiropractic is a system of health care that releases a serious stress from your body: the vertebral subluxation complex or VSC (sometimes just called a “subluxation”). A Subluxation is an often painless, tiny spinal misalignment that can affect your nerves, muscles, internal organs, spinal discs, bones, brain function, posture, and overall health.
A doctor of chiropractic is specially trained to analyze and diagnose your body for subluxations. Using special chiropractic spinal “adjustment” techniques, a chiropractor safely, gently, and painlessly corrects them, ridding your body of this problematic condition. What can chiropractic do for you?
WHO SHOULD GO TO A CHIROPRACTOR?
It often depends on who you ask. For example, if you asked a person who was relieved of migraines she’d say, “Anyone with migraines should see a chiropractor”. “Anyone with menstrual problems should go,” says a woman who suffered from menstrual cramps. Someone saved from back or disc surgery would say chiropractic is for people with spine, back, or neck problems. But those are limited views because there are case histories of people recovering from nearly every known disease and condition under chiropractic care: ear infections, fatigue, digestive problems, colds, and hundreds of other conditions.
But why? It is because chiropractic has a unique approach to health. Doctors of chiropractic do not treat migraines, or menstrual cramps, or backaches, or any other disease. The goal of the doctor of chiropractic is to awaken your own natural healing ability by correcting the vertebral subluxation complex, a serious blockage to your health and energy. Correcting the vertebral subluxation complex promotes natural healing, vitality, strength, and health.
FAQ about Chiropractic
Q: Why should I go to a chiropractor?
A: Because having a healthy spinal column makes good common sense. If you’re sick, you should go to strengthen your natural healing ability. If you’re feeling fine, you should remember that painless subluxations can undermine your health. You and your family should get your spines checked periodically to make sure you’re living free from hidden spinal nerve stress so you’re functioning at your fullest. Why wait for disease to happen before you begin to improve your health?
Q: Should I go to a chiropractor if I’m suffering from a disease?
A: Absolutely! Chiropractic care will help turn on your body’s natural healer and improve your self-healing ability. You’ll be better able to fight whatever disease or condition you’re suffering from.
Q: Can I go if I’m under medical care?
A: Yes. You always need a healthy spine no matter what other type of care you’re receiving. You can have your spinal column checked for vertebral subluxations by a doctor of chiropractic and still visit a doctor of homeopathy, naturopathy, osteopathy, or medicine. MD’s, physical therapists, and other healers cannot tell if you’re suffering from spinal nerve stress (vertebral subluxations) and are not trained in correcting them.
Q: Is it true that chiropractors can hurt their patients, especially after adjusting a patient’s neck?
A: Although there is a risk for anyone that is treated, the odds of a direct injury from an adjustment is quite rare. Current statistics show that there is one injury for every 1 million adjustments across the U.S. In fact, you are more likely to get in a car accident and getting injured than you are to get injured in a chiropractic office. You are many times more likely to have an adverse reaction from prescription medication and/or surgery than having an adjustment.