Chiropractic

This is an entirely manipulative art based on a particular approach to the spinal column and pelvis in relation to the nervous system and its influence on organic function. The chiropractor believes disease appears in the body because of interference in the nervous system at its main connective centre, the spine. Pressure, strain or tension upon the spinal cord caused by segments of the vertebral column being out of place, however slightly, affect nerve transmission and expression. Minor derangements through an accident or faulty posture can cause nerve inflammation and hinder nerve passage through the small openings of the joints. This results in an unhealthy state of the parts of the body controlled by the nerves in question. The aim of the chiropractor is to find the exact spot of joint and nerve trouble - usually with the help of X-rays - and by skilful manipulative adjustments to properly realign the joint or the spin.
The nerves are then once more able to function freely, normal transmission is restored and the body's own resources restore healthy function.

   Chiropractic is much more than treatment of a 'slipped disc'. It is the link between bone position and nerve channels that is its vital element. Activities of the tissue, organs and limbs are co-ordinated and regulated by nerve response. Mechanical pressure or irritation of a nerve causes inflammation and, say chiropractors, causes waste and disease of tissues served by that nerve. 

   It takes only a minor spinal displacement - or subluxation as it is called - to irritate a nerve. Pressure can be caused not only by bone but by muscular contractions and toxins which aggravate sensory nerves.

   Chiropractic was founded by Daniel David Palmer in North America at the end of the 19th century. It was an accidental discovery. He had heard his janitor explaining how he had lost his hearing many years previously after bending over and feeling something 'go' in his back. On examination, Palmer found a vertebra out of place. He adjusted it gradually by manipulation and the janitor recovered his hearing. This remarkable recovery was dismissed as a scientific impossibility, but Palmer decided to pursue the principle behind it. He experimented and developed the technique he named Chiropractic.   

   Neither drugs nor surgery are used, X-rays are closely studied to find out the extent of the deviations of bone structure. A physical examination of great precision is given to locate lesions. To help endorse findings, chiropractors often use a machine which detects small differences of temperature along the spinal column - on the assumption that it is the inflammation set up by the lesions that registers temperatures.

   Practitioners are the first to acknowledge that the success of their treatment often depends on rapport with the patient, and they achieve the best results when their hands take over, and the 'feel' of the patient unconsciously directs manipulation.

   There is no fundamental difference between chiropractic and osteopathy. Chiropractors follow Palmer's rule that it is the obstruction of nerve forces that causes illness, while osteopaths assert it is a blocking in the artery that is the contributory factor. Nerves and blood are interlinked and both can be freed to heal through spinal manipulation. The chiropractor uses thrusts or direct techniques that demand precision, high speed and minimum force.

   Chiropractors believe that disease is essentially functional - it becomes organic only if the life force is not put back into healing action in time. Apart from headaches, back complaints, disc syndromes and postural defects, chiropractic also helps acne, arthritic complaints, bursitis, mysitis, neuralgia, hypertension, constipation and conditions of the urinary tract. The idea of having spinal manipulation for such diverse ailments may seem odd, but if it is a free flow of nerve power from the spine which enables organs to function it becomes comprehensive and logical.