“The power that made the body, heals the body”-Anonymous

1. “The power that made the body, heals the body”-Anonymous Chiro-Care: The Practice that Makes Sense Presented by CJ Pickering Live Your Best Life

2. Agenda • What is chiropractic? • The history of chiropractic medicine. • The theory behind the medicine of chiropractic care. • Research on the use of chiropractic medicine. • How chiropractic medicine is applied. • Education required.

3. What is Chiropractic? • Chiropractic is a system of healthcare. • It is based on maintaining proper neurophysiological balance within the body (Center for Spirituality and Healing, 2012). • One of the foundational principles is the respect of homeostasis and the belief that the body can self-regulate.

4. Importance of… • Optimizes health through manipulation of the spine and articular frame work of the body. • Non-invasive techniques, which yield tremendous health benefits for the patients. • Treats the body as a whole, cohesive unit, as opposed to separate parts. • Focuses on attaining highest level of health for the patient.

5. A Total Approach to Healthcare • Like Allopathic Medicine, chiropractic is considered to be a complete system of healthcare (CSH, 2012). • It is not an isolated modality of treatment. The word “chiropractic” means “done by hand”.

6. Complementary and Alternative • According to the Center for Spirituality and Healing, chiropractic medicine is both complementary and alternative; however, the roots are definitively based in alternative medicine (2012). • The alternative side to chiropractic care involves harnessing the power of the patient’s inner intellect to guide them to health.

7. The History of Chiropractic • Since its humble beginnings in the late 19th century, chiropractic care has been under attack. • The first 95 years of chiropractic care faced much scrutiny from other members of the healthcare community. Daniel David Palmer Bartlett Joshua Palmer

8. Chiropractic HistoryContinued • D. D. Palmer had an advanced understanding of the nervous system and its relationship to other systems in the body. • He also discovered the importance of sustaining homeostasis for health. • In his early writings, D. D. Palmer conceptualized “innate intelligence” with “the structure on function” in his original theory (CSH, 2012).

9. Vitalism • According to the Center for Spirituality and Healing, vitalism is a philosophical model that believes the principles governing life are different from the principles governing inanimate matter (2012).

10. Innate Intelligence • Innate intelligence is an internal force that guides us in such a way to sustain health. • Chiropractors must abide by this law in order to facilitate an environment that is inducive to maintain homeostasis.

11. Structure and Function • Proper structure of the body is imperative for proper function to occur. • If one or more elements of the body are misaligned, then it will throw off the other structures; thereby, inhibiting healthy function.

12. Nervous System Influence • According to the Center for Spirituality and Healing, the nervous system is the primary regulator of bodily functions (2012). • The nervous system has great influence over all systems and organs of the body.

13. Nerve and Organ Dysfunction • Intervertebral Subluxation -common condition, results from trauma, postural stress, cognitive abnormalities, disc degeneration • Nerve Compression -intervertebral subluxations can compress nerves and affect their normal transmission • Intersegmental Fixation -vertebral units are in normal position; however, they have a limited range of motion

14. Nerve and Organ DysfunctionContinued • Spinal Cord Compression -a severe condition, which results from spondylosis or a serious injury that the spinal region has sustained. • Nerve Function Hypotheses -two common hypotheses are Axioplasmic Aberration and Somatoautonomic Reflex. Nerve Cells

15. Research on Chiropractic Use • Throughout the history of chiropractic care research has been conducted despite a lack of funding. • Many companies did not want to provide the necessary resources because of the nature of chiropractic medicine.

16. Research Continued • Most clinical studies have focused on the safety and efficacy of spinal treatments. • Designing a proper study to measure the effects of the treatment have been problematic because of how the care is delivered.

17. Evidence • Research has shown that spinal manipulation is a much more effective treatment for people who suffer from chronic headaches than medication (Bronfort et al., 2004) • Another study that was conducted showed that chiropractic treatments significantly improved patients who were suffering from mechanical neck disorders (Gross et al., 2002).

18. Evidence Continued • A clinical study determined that chiropractic care, which included manipulative therapy and low-load exercise considerably, reduced the pain of patients who complained of chronic headaches and upper back pain (Jull et al., 2002). • Researchers concluded that patients who received spinal manipulation for managing chronic spinal pain and discomfort experienced more pain relief compared to those that just took medication (Giles & Muller, 2003) .

19. Preventative Effects of Chiropractic Care • Increased energy • Enhanced vitality • Effective pain relief • Increased flexibility and durability • Aids in the overall prevention of illness and injury • Creates balance within the body

20. What to Expect from a Visit • A visit at a chiropractic’s office is similar to a visit at any other healthcare provider’s office. • Intake forms • Physical examination • Possibly x-rays • Assessment tests • Treatment plan

21. Education • All chiropractors must be licensed from an accredited institution and pass a four-part, national board examination. • Individual states have their own additional requirements, which are overseen by a state board of chiropractic examiners.

22. In Summary • Chiropractic care strives to encourage health by harnessing a patient’s own innate intelligence. • Chiropractors employ manipulative therapies to the body’s structures to improve function and health. • The goal of chiropractic care is to maintain homeostasis. • Proper structure is necessary for proper function. • The nervous system is the chief regulator of all bodily functions and plays an integral role in maintaining homeostasis.

23. References • Aure, O., Nilsen, J., & Vasseljen, O. (2003). Manual therapy and exercise therapy in patients with chronic low back pain. Retrieved from http://journals.lww.com/spinejournal/pages/default.aspx • Bronfort G, Nilsson N, Haas M, Evans R, Goldsmith CH, Assendelft WJ, Bouter LM. (2004). Non-invasive physical treatments for chronic/recurrent headache. The Cochrane Database of Systemic Reviews. • Center for Spirituality and Healing. (2012). Chiropractic. Retrieved from http://www.csh.umn.edu/Integrativehealingpractices/chiro/intro/in01.html • Gilles, L., Muller, R. (2003). Chronic spinal pain. Retrieved from http://journals.lww.com/spinejournal/Abstract/2003/07150/Chronic_Spinal_Pain__A_Randomized_Clinical_Trial3.aspx • Gross, A.R., Hoving, J., Haines, T.A., Goldsmith, C.H., Kay, T., Aker, P., Bronfort, G. (2002). Manipulation and mobilization for mechanical neck disorders. The Cochrane Database of Systemic Reviews. • Jull, G., Trott, P., Potter, H., Zito, G., Niere, K., Shirley, D., Emberson, J., Marschner, I., Richardson, C. (2002). A randomized controlled trial of exercise and manipulative therapy for cervicogenic headache. • National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. (2012). An introduction to chiropractic. Retrieved from http://nccam.nih.gov/health/chiropractic/introduction.htm • Taking Charge of Your Health. (2011). Chiropractic. Retrieved from http://www.takingcharge.csh.umn.edu/explore-healing-practices/chiropractic