The Chiropractic Profession Essay Example

be considered as separate practices. They both supported straight chiropractic, which believes that medical diagnosis does not affect chiropractic treatment. On the other hand, mixer chiropractics combine principles from both chiropractic and medical perspectives (American Chiropractic Association, 2008; Cuellar, 2006).

In 1910, Bartlett Joshua Palmer noticed that most chiropractors were mixer rather than straight chiropractors. To address this problem, Palmer introduced the use of x-rays for diagnosis in chiropractic treatment. This new approach significantly increased the popularity of the Palmer School (Leach, 2004). By the 1930s, chiropractic had become America's most commonly practiced alternative medicine (American Chiropractic Association, 2008).

Chiropractic education requirements and regulations are similar to those of other healthcare professions. The curriculum consists of three main areas of study: basic science, clinical science, and a clinical internship. To become a chiropractor, individuals must first finish at least four years of undergraduate coursework in the pre-medical field. This coursework should cover topics like psychology, histology, physics, and biology.

Chiropractic college accepts students who will undergo an extra 4 to 5 years of schooling. During this time, they will focus on clinical training. Their education will include classes in orthopedics, neurology, radiology, and nutrition. Additionally, they will study specific forms of chiropractic therapy and techniques. To improve their skills even further, they must also complete a one-year internship that emphasizes patient care. As a result, the total duration of chiropractic education is at least 4,200 hours.

The completion of an accredited chiropractic program requires a total of 4,200 hours, including 555 hours dedicated to techniques. To qualify for the desired practice, passing both the national board exam and any state-required exam is obligatory. The examination is prepared and administered

by the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners (American Chiropractic Association, 2008). Similar to medical physicians in the United States, chiropractic has undergone regulation and licensing as a response to an increase in fraud, abuse, and quackery within the field (Cuellar, 2006).

In the United States, there are regulatory chiropractic boards (Leach, 2004) that oversee the industry. To prevent fraud within the chiropractic system, it is essential to ask pertinent questions regarding each procedure's purpose and nature, as well as the specific conditions being treated. It is also recommended to thoroughly examine your bill to ensure accurate billing by the chiropractor.

If any of your peers have received the same services from the same chiropractor, it is possible to compare your bill with theirs in order to identify potential fraudulent activity. Additionally, if individuals are traveling long distances when there is a chiropractor nearby, this could be an indication of potential scams. Therefore, it is crucial for everyone to stay vigilant and watch out for any suspicious behavior (Kaptchuk, 2000).

Spinal manipulation, also referred to as spinal adjustment or chiropractic adjustment, is the main technique used in chiropractic treatment. It involves manipulating the three-joint complex, which are synovial joints located within the spinal column. This manipulation involves moving the three-joint complex beyond its normal range of motion without causing any dislocation or harm.

This movement, known as a thrust, is performed to enhance the joint's range of motion. Spinal Manipulative Therapy involves utilizing various manual techniques to influence the spine. Chiropractors typically combine multiple techniques, including the Diversified technique for full spine manipulation. Additionally, the Activator technique involves implementing a spring-like tool for spinal adjustments. Lastly, the Gonstead technique considers

the spine as a unified entity and recognizes that one misalignment may impact other areas of the spine.

Applied Kinesiology and the Cox/flexion-distraction method are two different techniques used in chiropractic treatment. Applied Kinesiology involves the use of muscle testing for medical diagnosis, while the Cox/flexion-distraction method utilizes adjustable tables for spine adjustment (Leach, 2004). Chiropractic treatment encompasses various styles and beliefs among practitioners.

There are two primary categories of chiropractors: straight chiropractors and mixer chiropractors. Straight chiropractors follow the philosophical principles established by Daniel David Palmer, the founder of chiropractic. They believe that the medical diagnosis of patients is not significant in relation to chiropractic treatment. Their focus lies on attributing misaligned spinal vertebrae as the root cause for numerous illnesses, while also preferring to separate themselves from conventional healthcare practices. On the contrary, mixer chiropractors integrate both chiropractic and medical perspectives into their approach.

Chiropractors employ diverse medical diagnostic techniques and treatment methods, including acupuncture, massage therapy, heat packs, ice packs, and herbal remedies. The majority of chiropractors practice mixer chiropractic (Cuellar, 2006). Individuals seek chiropractic care for various reasons, with the primary one being alleviation of low back pain. Additionally, chiropractic is frequently utilized to address whiplash injuries, neck pain, migraine headaches, and tension headaches.

Despite chiropractic treatment being utilized for a range of uncommon conditions such as asthma, ADHD, dizziness, vision issues, carpal tunnel syndrome, menstrual cramps, scoliosis, and pelvic pain during pregnancy (Leach, 2004), there is insufficient scientific evidence to validate its efficacy. The cost of chiropractic visits may differ across offices but typically falls within the $40 to $50 per visit range. Fortunately, many health insurance plans now include coverage for chiropractic services

which has increased accessibility and affordability for the majority of American workers.

The American Chiropractic Association (ACA) collaborates with insurance companies to address chiropractic insurance matters. The salary of chiropractors typically falls within the range of $67,641 to $101,492 and can be influenced by factors like location, experience, and achievements. Furthermore, there is a notable growth in the chiropractic industry due to the increasing demand for public healthcare.

According to the American Chiropractic Association (2008), the increasing popularity of chiropractors is due to a change in attitudes towards modern and alternative medical practices. Many people turn to chiropractic treatment, particularly for relieving low back pain caused by various factors involving the bones, muscles, joints, and ligaments of the back.

There are various causes of back pain, such as accidents, sports injuries, obesity, stress, poor posture, and diseases in organs (Kaptchuk, 2000). The Agency for Health Care Policy and Research under the United States Department of Health and Human Services conducted a thorough study on treatments for low back problems. According to their findings, spinal manipulation is the sole effective, safe, and drug-free approach to address lower back pain (American Chiropractic Association, 2008).

Research has examined thirty-six clinical trials that investigated spinal manipulation compared to other treatments. Out of these trials, twelve focused on patients with low back pain. Among the twelve trials, eight demonstrated positive improvements in back pain while four found no significant difference (Koes, 1996). These findings suggest that chiropractic treatment is effective for most individuals experiencing low back pain. Personally, I view chiropractic treatment as a favorable approach to managing back pain. Furthermore, even though it may not be effective for everyone, it remains an affordable

and safe option.

Based on my research, there are no adverse effects associated with back pain. If other approaches to treating back pain have been ineffective, individuals should consider chiropractic therapy. Neck Pain primarily affects the seven vertebrae at the skull's base. The cervical spine bears the weight of the head and enables a wide range of head movements. Nevertheless, this flexibility also raises the risk of neck injuries.

According to the American Chiropractic Association (2008), various factors such as accidents, poor posture, obesity, and aging can contribute to neck pain. In a study published in the British Medical Journal, 183 patients with neck pain were divided into groups receiving spinal manipulation, physiotherapy, or general practitioner care. The results showed that spinal manipulation resulted in the quickest recovery time and was also more cost-effective than other treatments (American Chiropractic Association, 2008). Furthermore, UCLA professors conducted a study to examine any negative reactions related to chiropractic care for neck pain.

According to a study by Hurwitz (2005), about 30% of the 280 patients who received chiropractic care experienced adverse effects. These effects included increased neck pain or stiffness and headaches. The research suggests that treating neck pain with chiropractic care can result in negative symptoms. Furthermore, tension-type headaches are common and affect more than one third of the population.

Symptoms of tension headaches include tightening and pressing sensations in the forehead, on the sides, or at the back of the head. The duration of these headaches varies from thirty minutes to one week. Tension headaches can be differentiated from migraines by the lack of nausea and vomiting, which may occur in migraines but not tension headaches (Bove, 1998). A study

was performed on a group of individuals who met the criteria for tension headaches established by the International Headache Society. This group comprised 49 women and 26 men.

The study included participants aged 20 to 59, who were divided into two groups. One group received spinal manipulation treatment while the other group received a placebo treatment for comparison purposes. The study lasted for four weeks, with each participant undergoing eight treatments. At the end of the first two-week period, there were no noticeable differences in outcomes between those who had undergone spinal manipulation and the control group.

A study conducted by Bove in 1998 found that participants who underwent spinal manipulation experienced a reduction in the duration of tension headaches after 7 weeks. However, there was no change observed in the intensity of the headaches. Additionally, another study evaluated the effectiveness of spinal manipulation for treating migraines, which are intense headaches often accompanied by nausea and vomiting. Migraines typically occur on one side of the head and can last anywhere from 4 to 72 hours.

The trial spanned 6 months and comprised pre-treatment, treatment, and post-treatment stages, with each stage lasting for 2 months. The trial consisted of 32 participants aged between 23 and 60 years who experienced at least one migraine per month.

During the two-month period, the participants received spinal manipulation treatment from a chiropractor. This resulted in notable enhancements in both the frequency and duration of their migraines. It is important to mention that although one participant experienced worsened migraines after the treatment, no other adverse effects were observed.

The effectiveness of spinal manipulation in the treatment of migraines was validated by a 1997 study conducted by

Tuchin. However, it is crucial to note that this study did not have a control group for comparison. Therefore, additional research is necessary which involves one group receiving spinal manipulation and another receiving a placebo treatment. In conclusion, the contributions of Daniel David Palmer and Bartlett Joshua Palmer have been instrumental in establishing chiropractic as a respected profession in the United States.

Chiropractic has continued to uphold its fundamental practice of spinal manipulation, which remains consistent over time. Nonetheless, it also integrates other methods alongside spinal manipulation and has demonstrated effectiveness in addressing various ailments such as back pain, neck pain, and headaches.

Although chiropractic has been shown to benefit many people, the decision between chiropractic and conventional medicine ultimately comes down to personal preference. Research suggests that spinal manipulation can be helpful for specific conditions like low back pain, neck pain, and migraines; however, it may not have a significant impact on tension-type headaches. Additionally, chiropractic treatment is both cost-effective and worth considering for problems such as low back pain and neck pain. Studies have found no negative effects of using chiropractic treatment for these issues, except for the possibility that it may not be effective. It's important to acknowledge that visiting a chiropractor carries some potential risks, although they are minimal compared to the potential risks associated with traditional medicine.

However, it is advisable to be cautious and vigilant about any indications of deception or fraudulent practices, as they are more prevalent in the field of chiropractic when compared to other sectors of healthcare. References: American Chiropractic Association. (n. d.). Patients.

Bove, Geoffrey. (1998). Retrieved October 24, 2008, from http://www.amerchiro.org/

The article "Spinal manipulation in the treatment

of episodic tension-type headache" is published in The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), and can be found in the Academic Search Premier database. Norma G. Cuellar also discusses this topic in her book "Conversations in Complementary and Alternative Medicine".

Jones and Bartlett Publishers. Hurwitz, Eric L. (2005). An Internal Journal for the Study of the Spine. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc. Kaptchuk, Ted.

(2000). Origins, controversies, and contributions. Arch Intern Med, 158, 2215-2224. Retrieved November 9, 2008, from Academic Search Premier database. Koes, Bart W. (1996).

The book titled "Spinal Manipulation for Low Back Pain" by Robert A. Leach (2004), published by Lippincott-Raven Publishers, discusses the chiropractic theories.

Lippincott Williams and Wilkins. Tuchin, Peter J. (1997). The effectiveness of chiropractic spinal manipulative therapy for migraine treatment.

Chiropractic and Osteopathy, 6, 41-47. Retrieved November 10, 2008, from Academic Search Premier database.