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Chiropractic Information

A Brief History of Chiropractic

The first recorded chiropractic adjustment was performed on September 18, 1895, by Dr. Daniel David Palmer, a Canadian-born teacher and healer. Dr. Palmer was, at the time, studying the cause and effect of disease. His patient was Harvey Lillard, a janitor working in the same building as Dr. Palmer in Davenport, Iowa. Mr. Lillard, who had complained of hearing problems for over 17 years, allowed Dr. Palmer to examine his spine. Dr. Palmer discovered a "lump" on Mr. Lillard's back and suspected that a vertebra might be out of place, which he then repositioned the vertebra with a gentle thrust. After several such treatments, much of Mr. Lillard's hearing was restored.

Since Dr. Palmer's first chiropractic adjustment, the art and science of chiropractic has progressed significantly. Today, advanced diagnostic procedures, sophisticated equipment, scientific research, and the growing acceptance among other health care professionals makes chiropractic a popular health care choice.

Are you in need of chiropractic care due to chronic neck and back pain? Contact Manhattan Chiropractic Clinic to receive a diagnosis and a treatment plan to reduce the overall pain.

Chiropractic Philosophy

The chiropractic perspective on health and disease emphasizes two fundamental concepts:

1) The structure and condition of the body influences how the body functions and its ability to heal itself.

2) The mind-body relationship is instrumental in maintaining health and in the healing processes.

Although chiropractic shares much with other health professions, its emphasis and application of philosophy distinguishes it from modern medicine. Chiropractic philosophy gravitates toward a holistic ("total person") approach to healing which combines elements of the mind, body and spirit and maintains that health depends on obedience to natural laws, and that deviation from such laws can result in illness.

Widespread Use of Chiropractic Care

The increasing interest in alternative forms of care has caught the attention of several health associations and government agencies. A 1993 study in the New England Journal of Medicine reported that "The estimated number of visits made in 1990 to providers of unconventional therapy was greater than the number of visits to all primary care medical nationwide," and chiropractic was among the most frequently used non-medical therapies.

A follow-up report published in the Journal of the American Medical Association in 1998 found that the use of non-medical treatments had increased significantly since the 1990 survey, with "overall prevalence of use increased by 25%, total visits by an estimated 47%, and expenditures on services provided by practitioners of alternative therapies by an estimated 45%." Of the survey respondents, one in nine (11%) had used chiropractic care within the previous year.

Chiropractic is an increasingly popular branch of health care that focuses on the nervous system and its role in coordinating all of the body's functions. When this communication is disrupted, the result is pain, decreased range of motion, stiffness, tingling, numbness, illness, and even disease.

As the third largest doctoral-level health care profession after medicine and dentistry, chiropractic training allows the doctor to diagnose and treat conditions without having to use drugs or surgery. A doctor of chiropractic (DC) provides a conservative hands-on approach for the treatment of disorders affecting the muscular, skeletal, and neurological systems.

Spinal Misalignments

Vertebral misalignments are displacements of the spinal bones (vertebrae) that can cause stress to your spinal cord and nervous system. Misalignments may be caused by poor sleeping habits, poor posture, strenuous exercise, injuries, auto accidents, sports, slips or falls, and in some cases, the birthing process itself.

Chiropractic adjustments are very helpful in correcting misalignments and restoring optimal health.

Are you in need of a spinal adjustment? Contact the Manhattan Chiropractic Clinic today to schedule a consultation.