It involves correcting biomechanical deficiencies in the joints of the body, especially in the spine, to return the body to normal homeostasis. In addition, many doctors of chiropractic use adjunctive therapy to accelerate the body's natural healing process--such as ultrasound, hot/cold packs, electrical stimulation, traction, corrective exercise, etc.

Chiropractic is concerned with the relationship between structure, primarily the spine, and function, primarily the nervous system, of the human body because that relationship may affect restoration and preservation of health.

Qualifications for Practicing Chiropractic:

1. Complete required general college-level studies.
2. Obtain a Doctor of Chiropractic degree and complete clinical externship through an accredited four-year chiropractic college program.
3. Pass required National Board or other exams.
4. Meet individual state requirements for licensure.

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The chiropractic adjustment is a skilled and specific form of manipulation.

Spinal manipulation, 94% of which is provided by a doctor of chiropractic, is a treatment modality which is designed to restore normal function to a musculoskeletal joint causing disability and/or pain. It consists of providing a specific maneuver to the affected joint (articulation) to achieve this end. Its purpose is to mobilize the joint, thereby returning it to its normal function and allowing other parts of the musculoskeletal system -- which often compensate to the improper functioning joint(s) -- to return to their normal relationships and function as well.

Some of the beneficial effects of spinal manipulation and the restoration of normal motion, function and biomechanics which follow such treatment include:

• Relief of pain
  
• Reduction in joint swelling
  
• Relaxation of tight muscles
  
• Restoration and maintenance of ligament and muscle flexibility
  
• Restoration of normal muscle tone and coordination
  
• Restoration and maintenance of normal joint sensation and proprioception
  
• Improved alignment of new connective tissue
  
• Prevention of scar tissue shortening and chronic stiffness
  
• Promotion of quicker, more effective healing
  
• Reduction in the risk of reinjury and degeneration

(Slosberg, M. Validating Chiropractic: Documenting the Scientific Basis of Clinical Practice [Seminar], Chicago, 1993.)

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In essence, flexion/distraction reduces lumbar disc bulging and protrusion by allowing the bulging aspect of the disc to reduce and recede into the disc body.

This technique was developed in the late 1960's, by Dr. James Cox, a Fort Wayne, Indiana Chiropractor. To date, it is the most effective non-force technique in use to affect the biomechanics of the disc and the vertebral motor and to stabilize the lumbar spine.

I have utilized this technique to nullify the need for surgery numerous times throughout my 20+ years of practice.

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RAND Study on Low-Back Pain

A four-phase study conducted in the early 1990s by RAND, one of America's most prestigious centers for research in public policy, science and technology, explored many indications of low-back pain.

In the RAND study, an expert panel of researchers, including medical doctors and chiropractors found that

-- chiropractors deliver a substantial amount of health care to the U.S. population
-- spinal manipulation is of benefit to some patients with acute low-back pain.

The RAND reports marked the first time that representatives of the medical community went on record stating that spinal manipulation is an appropriate treatment for certain low-back pain conditions.

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The New Zealand Commission Report

A particularly significant study of chiropractic was conducted between 1978-1980 by the New Zealand Commission of Inquiry. In its 377-page report to the House of Representatives, the Commission called its study "probably the most comprehensive and detailed independent examination of chiropractic ever undertaken in any country."

The Commission entered the inquiry with "the general impression ... shared by many in the community that chiropractic was an unscientific cult, not to be compared with orthodox medical or paramedical services." By the end of the inquiry, the commission reported itself "irresistibly and with complete unanimity drawn to the conclusion that modern chiropractic care is a soundly-based and valuable branch of health care in a specialized area..."

Conclusions of the Commission's report were based on investigations in New Zealand, the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia, and stated:

-- Spinal manual therapy in the hands of a registered chiropractor is safe.

-- Spinal manual therapy can be effective in relieving musculo-skeletal symptoms such as back pain, and other symptoms known to respond to such therapy as migraine.

-- Chiropractors are the only health practitioners who are necessarily equipped by their education and training to carry out spinal manual therapy.

-- In the public interest and in the interests of patients, there must be no impediment to full professional cooperation between chiropractors and medical practitioners.

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1990 British Medical Journal Report

A study conducted by T. Meade, M.D., reported in the June 2, 1990, British Medical Journal concluded that, after two years of patient monitoring, "...for patients with low-back pain in whom manipulation is not contraindicated, chiropractic almost certainly confers worthwhile, long-term benefit in comparison with hospital outpatient management."

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1992 America Health Policy Report

A 1992 review of data from over 2,000,000 users of chiropractic care in the U.S., as reported in the Journal of American Health Policy, stated that "chiropractic users tend to have substantially lower total health care costs," and "chiropractic care reduces the use of both physician and hospital care."

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1985 University of Saskatchewan Study

A 1985 study of 283 patients "who had not responded to previous conservative or operative treatment" and who were initially classified as totally disabled was undertaken by the University of Saskatchewan. They reported that "81% .... became symptom free or achieved a state of mild intermittent pain with no work restrictions" after daily spinal manipulations were administered.

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1993 Manga Report

Chiropractic is the treatment of choice for low back pain, according to the Manga Report, a 1993 study commissioned by the Ministry of Health in Ontario, Canada. Carried out by leading, independent health economists at the University of Ottawa under the leadership of Pran Manga, Ph.D., the Manga study reviewed all of the international evidence on the management of low-back pain. The Manga Report provides compelling support for the efficacy, safety, scientific validity, and cost-effectiveness of chiropractic for low-back pain. Additionally, it found that higher patient satisfaction levels were associated with chiropractic than with medical alternatives.

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1998 Manga Report

Dr. Manga's second report (February 1998) on the cost effectiveness of chiropractic care in Ontario, is a special report written for the Ontario Chiropractic Association (OCA) in its continuing dialog with the Ministry of Health of Ontario, which is considering major health care reform. The report concludes that chiropractors are highly cost effective providers of care for neuromusculoskeletal conditions. Thus, greater chiropractic coverage under public health insurance plans can improve health outcomes, significantly reduce health care costs, and achieve more equitable access to health care services.

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Chiropractic Resources on the Web

• American Back Society
• American Chiropractic Association
• American Chiropractic Association -- Political Action Committee
• The American Chiropractor
• Canadian Chiropractic Association
• The Chiropatient
• Chiropractic in Japan ( in English or Japanese)
• Chiropractic Journal of Australia
• Chiropractic OnLine Today
• Chiropractic Research Journal
• Chiropractic Resource Organization
• ChiroWeb (Official Website of Dynamic Chiropractic)
• Chiro-Web (Chiropractic Resources on the Web)
• Federation of Chiropractic Licensing Boards
• Foundation for Chiropractic Education and Research (FCER)
• International Chiropractors Association
• International Chiropractic Pediatric Association 
• International Federation of Sports Chiropractic (in English and French)
• Journal of Manipulative & Physiological Therapeutics
• Pennsylvania Chiropractic Association (PCA)
• Spinal Manipulation Research Group
• Spine Universe (An educational site dedicated to all areas of back care.)
• World Chiropractic Alliance 
• World Federation of Chiropractic

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Chiropractic Colleges

• Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College
• Cleveland College - KC & LA
• Life University - GA
• Life West College - CA
• Logan College of Chiropractic
• Los Angeles College of Chiropractic
• National College of Chiropractic
• New York Chiropractic College
• Northwestern College of Chiropractic
• Palmer College of Chiropractic
• Palmer College of Chiropractic - West
• Parker College of Chiropractic
• Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology School of Chiropractic and Osteopathy
• Sherman College of Straight Chiropractic
• University of Bridgeport College of Chiropractic
• Western States Chiropractic College

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