Chiropractic
Chiropractic philosophy
Chiropractic focuses on the integrity of the spine and its surrounding tissues as a means to enhance normal human function and health.
There are two basic philosophies of chiropractic:
- The body naturally seeks the proper balance among all its systems, which are meant to work together.
- Proper structure is necessary for proper function. If a structure is impaired by injury or stress, its function can be adversely affected.
For example, when the spine is not positioned normally, it can irritate the nerves exiting the spine. And when spinal nerves are irritated, they don't function normally and can affect the function of the tissues they interact with. This "end-organ" effect is the central interest in chiropractic care. The relief of localized discomfort at the point of irritation is also an objective of care.
Innate intelligence
An important concept in the early years of chiropractic was innate intelligence—the idea that the body has an inborn ability to self-regulate and maintain health.
D.D. Palmer, the founder of chiropractic, maintained that innate intelligence flowed through the body’s nervous system, which influences all other systems of the body. Palmer believed the flow of innate intelligence through the nervous system could be hindered or impinged by distortions in the spinal column, so the original premise of chiropractic was to align the spinal column to ensure proper function of spinal nerves.
Biopsychosocial model of pain
Contemporary chiropractic views pain as a complex phenomenon that is influenced by biological, psychological, and social factors.
- Biological factors: Biological factors include the physical mechanisms responsible for the condition (such as a herniated disc, a broken bone, or a strained muscle).
- Psychological factors: Psychological factors include mechanisms such as fear, anxiety, and depression, which have important relationships with pain and other health conditions.
- Social factors: Social factors include the influences of others in relationship to pain and disease, including the interactions and expectations of friends, family, and work, as well as cultural influences on the meaning and appropriate responses to pain.
Chiropractic care involves a close examination of all three factors and their influence on an individual’s experience of pain.
A healing relationship
Positive patient-provider relationships are likely a vital reason for the success of chiropractic treatment. The combination of a simple explanation (e.g. dysfunction in the mobility and muscular control of the spine), combined with a hands on approach, and time spent with the patient, can provide comfort and reassurance for many patients.
This in turn can have a positive impact on psychological factors (for example, reducing fear and anxiety).
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