CHIROPRACTIC MEDICINE

Definition and Descriptions

• Chiropractic focuses on the spine as integrally involved in maintaining health providing dominance to the
nervous system as the primary coordinator for function, and thus health, in the body.
• The approach of chiropractic is the maintenance of optimal neurophysiological balance in the body, which
is accomplished by correcting structural or biomechanical abnormalities or disrelationships.
• Primary method for accomplishing this balance is spinal manipulation, known as the CHIROPRACTIC
ADJUSTMENT.
FOUNDER AND KEY FIGURES OF CHIROPRACTIC MEDICINE
• Daniel David Palmer (1845–1913) is the founder of the profession. He founded the first chiropractic
school in 1898.
• Bartlett Joshua Palmer (1882–1961) was the son of Daniel Palmer. Bartlett promoted the profession
and helped keep its flame alive during years of trial and tribulations.
• Joseph Janse (1909–1985) He helped found the Council on Chiropractic Education, the National Board
of Chiropractic Examiners, the Federation of Chiropractic Licensing Boards, scientific councils, and the
residency program in chiropractic radiology.
PRINCIPAL CONCEPTS
• There are four general areas that chiropractic philosophy and practice emphasize:
1. Nervous system: In the human being, the nervous system is highly evolved and developed and
influences all other body systems. It therefore plays important roles in health and disease.
2. Vis medicatrix naturae: Human body has an innate ability to heal itself and seeks to maintain
that health via homeostatic mechanisms.
3. Effect of subluxation or joint dysfunction: Subluxation or joint dysfunction may interfere with
the ability of the neuromuscular system to act in an optimal fashion, and may therefore lead or
contribute to the presence of disease.
4. Diagnosing and treating subluxation. One primary goal of chiropractic diagnosis and treatment
is to identify, via appropriate medical and chiropractic procedures, subluxations and dysfunctions
and to correct or eliminate them. This will then optimize the healing process in the human body.
• National College of Chiropractic, in its “Profile of the Practice of Chiropractic” summarizes modern
chiropractic practice and the principles on which that practice is based as follows:
o Recognition of factors which impact upon human physiology, such as biomechanical
dysfunction, genetics, trauma, hygiene, microorganisms, nutritional status, exercise, motion,
posture, environment, stress, emotion and human relationships.
 o Primary care of patients based upon diagnostic evaluation, including patient history, physical
examination, clinical laboratory data, diagnostic imaging, and other special diagnostic measures,
as well as those procedures which are unique to the chiropractic evaluation of human spinal and
structural balance and integrity.
o The application of a diversity of spinal and other adjustments and manipulations for the
treatment, correction, and prevention of neurologic, skeletal or soft-tissue dysfunction and the
production of beneficial neurologic effects.
o The use of other conservative means including, nutritional counseling, physiologic therapeutics,
meridian therapy/acupuncture, trigger point therapy, life-style counseling, emotional support and
stress management.
PATIENT ASSESSMENT PROCEDURES:
Standard diagnostic approach as that of the medical or osteopathic physician, but adds a number of
special procedures unique to the chiropractic profession as described.
I. HISTORY-TAKING AND PHYSICAL DIAGNOSIS: History (anamnesis) and a standard
physical examination,
II. OTHER DIAGNOSTIC METHODS:SPINAL EXAMINATION:
 Bergmann has coined the term PARTS to help define the diagnostic criteria for
identifying spinal dysfunction
PARTS: Diagnostic Criteria for Identifying Spinal Dysfunction

 PALPATION:
→ Static palpation: Bony or soft tissue structures of the body in a fixed position (e.g., palpation of the
location of the spinous process).
 → Motion palpation: Developed by the Henri Gillet, assesses the presence or absence of joint play,
assess the dynamic motion of the vertebrae and extravertebral joints.
DISEASE CLASSIFICATION AND TAXONOMY
• The key concept undergirding the chiropractic profession is that of Subluxation.
• Defined as “a motion segment in which alignment, movement integrity, and/or physiologic function
are altered although contact between joint surfaces remains intact”.
• Chiropractors use standard medical diagnostic and disease classifications, but differ in the manner in
which they assess involvement of the human nervous system in disease processes.
TREATMENT OPTIONS:
• Basic therapeutic tool used by a chiropractic physician is the chiropractic adjustment, ie High-
Velocity Short-Amplitude Thrust, which is applied to the articulations of the body, particularly to
those located in the spine.
• Also use a host of other interventions, including physiotherapeutic tools and devices, exercise,
nutrition, and orthotics.
• Many other schools exist, each with a specified body of technique such as
1. Activator technique, 6. Thompson terminal point
2. Diversified technique, technique,
3. Cox flexion/extension 7. Logan basic technique, and
technique, 8. Upper cervical technique.
4. Sacro-Occipital technique,
5. Gonstead technique,
MAJOR INDICATIONS
CHIROPRACTIC AS A PRIMARY APPROACH:
• Low back pain is one of major indication with abundant research evidence.
• Neuromusculoskeletal conditions such as strains, sprains, disk disease or herniation, tendinitis,
bursitis, headache, spondylolisthesis, whiplash injury, osteoarthritis, myofascial pain, disorders of
the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine and pelvis, and so forth. These referred to as Type M
disorders.
CONTRAINDICATIONS:
1. Not recommended in managing Infectious Tumor,
disease and Type O conditions.
2. Aneurysm, Vertebral artery narrowing, Fracture.etc
3. Bone infection,