Chiropractic is the study of the musculoskeletal system, focusing on the spine and spinal column, with the intent of healing the body’s ailments and not just your system for movement. Chiropractors are people who know this art. It is a study rooted both in the ancient knowledge of medicinal and healing practices of past humankind but also in the fantastic new wave of methodical scientific knowledge, whether we do good or ill with it, coming today. Generally speaking, chiropractor is a venerable title in the world so far, even today and probably onwards to a length. They are masters of marketing, back and hip pain, and curing a host of obscure diseases that several people can’t pronounce. Beyond that, many describe their experience with this breed as, “pleasant, good,” or some nice thing like that. Nevertheless, a chiropractor’s main objective is to look like a doctor, so humor their good intentions when visiting one. If you want the abridged version, stop reading and cut straight to THE FINAL WORD… summary at the bottom of the article. If you want all the nitty-gritty, bees-knees details, continue.
WHAT CAN A CHIROPRACTOR DO FOR ME?
A wise question indeed. Essentially, if you have sore muscles or joints frequently, see a chiropractor. If you happen to be involved in a lot of intense physical labor, job related or otherwise, a chiropractor would be a sound investment in your health, happiness, and financial security. If you’re getting older and the ole bag of skin ain’t moving like it used to, a chiropractor can help bring vitality back into them bones. As a matter of fact, it has been found in at least one quantitative study that insurance companies can save money by having their clients see a chiropractor for back pain instead of a medical doctor. This reflects two points: one, that your insurance provider should cover your visits (especially if you show them this study); and two, the reason they stand to save so much is probably at least partially due to the grand effectiveness of chiropractors in their craft. There are some potential negative turnouts from visiting a chiropractor that you should be aware of.
Through visiting an unqualified and inexperienced chiropractor, some people have experienced increased joint pain and even paralysis. Statistically, the percentage chance of you having a bad chiropractic visit is incredibly low, and within that small percentage of bad experiences is a number of repeat offenders or patients with other complicating factors, making the ultimate number of bad chiropractors even lower. Use your own judgment and the guidance of this article and others to see how much your chiropractor knows and if their practice is legitimate. Ask them about other clients’ experiences, search them on Google, and inquire about what techniques they use specifically to make sure you are comfortable with and agree to their methods. Keep in mind that a young or inexperienced chiropractor is not necessarily a bad choice, just as a previously talented and heavily experienced chiropractor is not always a good choice. Look for someone who is confident, calm, and welcoming but not too eager.
SCHOOLS OF CHIROPRACTIC
Chiropractors are trained under two basic schools of thought and in several different talents, such as marketing, massage technology, and spinal manipulation. They are generally required to have somewhere between three (3) years (or 90 credit hours) of collegiate schooling or a bachelor’s degree before entering chiropractic schooling. Once there, they receive two (2) year to three (3) years of training in detection of vertebral subluxation, massage, marketing, musculoskeletal anatomy, and other aspects depending upon which methodologies the chiropractic school teaches and accepts as legitimate.
The original school of thought whose origins are accredited to D. D. Palmer involves the use of the ancient techniques of oriental and Hindu practice including, for example, a belief in the etheric body composed of tantien, chakra, energy channels, and the rather fantastic, basic idea that the human body represents all the cosmos from the Earth, to all beings on the surface of Earth, and outward into the sun, moon, stars, and universe as a whole. Yet, the practices used by this first school are generally much more down to Earth. They may involve acupuncture, acupressure (generally, using a thumb or finger instead of a needle), hot bulbs or rocks, certain herbal remedies, trance-like meditation, and massage as a whole. On the more mythical end, they may use a hands-off body heating and healing technique. These chiropractors are very dully and popularly dubbed “straights” since they came first.
The second school involves the use of great machines and measurement devices alongside pharmaceuticals. These “mixers” embrace the practice and rigid, empirical study of modern medicine, though they also may dispute the title of ‘Most Enlightened Chiropractic School’ since they often incorporate certain massage methods straights may also use. The basic idea behind their school of thought is that if the core of the body’s structure, the backbone if you will, is weak, then necessarily this weakness puts heavier strain on the other parts of the body which, in turn, will also become weakened. Supporting the spine’s health will lead to an all around stronger and more vibrant musculoskeletal system, but it will also lead to a sharper mind and healthier organs due to more proper alignment of the spinal column and a speedier flow of cerebrospinal fluid throughout the body without blockages along the way. It is important to note that they commonly reject the idea of vertebral subluxation altogether.
WHAT WOULD MY CHIROPRACTOR DO?
If I were a chiropractor, I’d utilize every bit of knowledge I could gain on supporting people’s musculoskeletal system health and bodily harmony to turn people from hobbling hunch-backs to glorious flag poles after consulting them first about every technique I intended to use to maximize their comfort level and understanding of my concrete will to get them out of my clinic and dancing in the streets, but I’m just an article. Good chiropractors would ask me where my pain was located and work to immediately sooth that pain while working out the kinks in my frame, that may or may not be near the throbbing area, which are causing the harm. Good chiropractors would also ask me about how I moved, how I lifted heavy things, how much physical activity I perform in a day, how I run, how I walk, how I sit, or a number of other questions related to postures and body alignment.
These ideal chiropractors would then teach me how to alter this in order to provide the greatest bodily harmony in movement. Good chiropractors would also recommend more visits to them or a related health professional if I needed additional attention. Good chiropractors may recommend a periodic visit to make sure latent problems or past corrections aren’t turning sour. Good chiropractors would advise me on massage and workout equipment that I should invest in, and tell me about the most comfortable and relaxing lounge chairs and beds for me on the market. As a measure of good manners and a pleasant demeanor, good chiropractors may also greet me (or have someone to greet me) and say as we parted ways, “I hope you feel better!” or, “Have a great day!” or, “One day, you’ll become president of the galaxy!” or something like that.
THE FINAL WORD…
This guide believes that if you have pain, disability, and/or disease related to the musculoskeletal system, get a chiropractor. Chiropractors are proven to be more effective than regular doctors in their specific medical niche at a lower cost with less visits. It’s like choosing between an all-around athlete and an Olympic sprinter to teach you how to run. Under a risk versus gain assessment (risk assessment is quite a biased terminology, isn’t it?), your life stands to improve in health and comfort for a reasonable cost and time commitment. If you have other ailments, see a regular doctor or other specific medical personnel, but who knows? Maybe what you need most in life is just a stronger backbone.
