Chiropractic Part 1: The Philosophy and Background of Chiropractic

In my personal opinion, Chiropractic Care is the number one thing to consider when dealing with any chronic issues. There are two other main factors to consider- mainly nutritional and spiritual, but from a purely physical standpoint, Chiropractic is at the top of the list. Chiropractic care is the one thing I’ve encountered over and over again in my research that gets to the root of the problem, and addresses the underlying causes of any issues and symptoms. In fact, Chiropractic was the only thing that has been able to help me. Even if Chiropractic itself doesn’t eliminate the problem, getting consistent Chiropractic Care can definitely help accelerate any other treatments you decide to try.

The Philosophy

Chiropractic is based on the core principle and philosophy that the body has an innate ability to heal itself when given the proper conditions. Issues and pain arise when there is an imbalance somewhere in the body, which interferes with the body’s natural ability to correct whatever is ailing you. Chiropractors don’t see themselves as treating anything, and as a result, will not go chasing individual symptoms which might be typical of conventional medicine or other therapies. Chiropractors simply see themselves as removing such interference or blockages, which subsequently allows the body to do what it does best. This in turn allows your body to heal in a natural, holistic way.

Each Chiropractor is Unique

Chiropractic can simply be defined as “a system of complementary medicine based on the diagnosis and manipulative treatment of misalignments of the joints, especially those of the spinal column, which are held to cause other disorders by affecting the nerves, muscles, and organs.” While virtually all chiropractors share this view that removing interference restore function, this is generally where the similarities end.

There are many different Schools of Chiropractic thought, each with their own philosophies on how issues should be addressed. They each have their own chiropractic techniques, complete with their own methodology and different ways of assessing a person. Some using instruments and tools to aid in the process while others don’t. Some using X-rays, while others manually palpate, or feel for misalignments.

The biggest takeaway is that Chiropractic is not a one size fits all. There are many different types of chiropractors, and even chiropractors within the same school of thought and using the same technique will assess and treat a patient differently based on their experiences and different things they’ve learned along the way. Take into consideration that each Chiropractor also has their own level of skill, and there are many different variables to Chiropractic Care. The bottom line is to realize that if one isn’t working for you, there are other options that might suit you better.

Part of a Comprehensive Approach

While Chiropractic on its own can produce marvelous results, I want to emphasize that is that much more powerful when it is supported by other health and lifestyle habits that promote health. In fact, many Chiropractors believe that Chiropractic Care is only one part of true wellness. It is important to practice good nutritional habits, mental and emotional habits, and spiritual maintenance. Chiropractic definitely helps bridge the mind body gap, but they also need to each be practiced individually for true wellness to take place.

It is also very important to realize that taking care of yourself through exercise and posture are vital to maintaining any progress gained from Chiropractic. While you can still gain the full benefits of Chiropractic Care without doing the work you should be doing, you will need to continually see a chiropractor frequently in order to maintain the benefits you are achieving. Working on yourself through exercise can help you get away from relying on a Chiropractor as much. A good Chiropractor understands this and will implement an exercise plan or give pointers that will allow you stand on your own two feet longer and longer. When deciding on a Chiropractor, it is very important to see if exercise is a part of the treatment program. If not, it may be wiser to find one where one is.

This is the first part of a multipart series on Chiropractic, and I will go into Chiropractic in further detail in future posts. Stay tuned!