Chiropractic Definition
Chiropractic is a health care discipline which emphasizes the
inherent recuperative power of the body to heal itself without
the use of drugs or surgery. The practice of chiropractic
focuses on the relationship between structure (primarily the
spine) and function ( as coordinated by the nervous system) and
how that relationship affects the preservation and restoration
of health. In addition, Doctors of Chiropractic recognize the
value and responsibility of working in cooperation with other
health care practitioners when in the best interest of the
patient.
In the State of Connecticut, the practice of chiropractic
means the practice of that branch of the healing arts consisting
of the science of adjustment, manipulation and treatment of the
human body in which vertebral subluxations and other
malpositioned articulations and structures that may interfere
with the normal generation, transmission and expression of nerve
impulse between the brain, organs and tissue cells of the body,
which may be a cause of disease, are adjusted, manipulated or
treated.
The terms "chiropractic," "doctor of chiropractic,"
"chiropractor," and "chiropractic physician" are synonymous, and
mean a practitioner of chiropractic.
Chiropractic Practice And Procedures
Your chiropractic doctor will examine, diagnose and treat
your condition. Your doctor uses standard examination procedures
to diagnose your condition. After a thorough examination and
appropriate testing, a treatment plan is recommended.
Doctors of chiropractic use the same time-honored methods of
consultation, case history, physical examination, laboratory
analysis, and the latest technical diagnostic equipment,
including X-ray, MRI, and CT scan examination. In addition, a
careful structural examination with emphasis on the spine, is
conducted. Naturally, if your condition does not fall under the
scope of chiropractic treatment, your chiropractor will refer
you to the appropriate medical professional. Along with this
principle of referring to other practitioners, it is expected
that other practitioners of the healing arts are knowledgeable
on chiropractic practice and would readily refer patients for
chiropractic care.
Your chiropractic physician will explain your condition to
you and outline a course of treatment, often including a
combination of office visits, spinal and/or extremity joint
adjustments or manipulation, nutritional counseling, exercise
therapy, guidance of activities of daily living, and proactive
mental support designed specifically to expedite your effective
recovery.
The Subluxation
Chiropractic is concerned with the preservation and
restoration of health, and focuses particular attention on the
subluxation. A subluxation is a complex of functional and/or
structural and/or pathological particular changes that
compromise neural integrity and may influence organ system
function and general health. A subluxation is evaluated,
diagnosed, and managed through the use of chiropractic
procedures based on the best available rational and empirical
evidence. |