The word 'chiropractic' literally means 'done by the hand' or 'manipulation'. Spinal manipulation was practised by Hippocrates in the 5th Century BC. Chiropractic as we know it today was developed in 1895 by a Canadian, Daniel D Palmer. The chiropractic belief is based on his findings that 95% of all health problems could be prevented or treated using spinal adjustment, and 5% by adjustments of other joints. It is proposed that misaligned vertebrae, or subluxations, caused interference and interrupted the proper flow of information from the spine to an internal organ. As a result, the human body would experience disharmony which would result in loss of health.
Chiropractic therapy is based on the scientific fact that your body is a self-regulating, self-healing organism. These important functions are controlled by the brain, spinal cord, and all the nerves of the body. If there is a misalignment the result is pain and or discomfort with disrupted information pathways. Once this misalignment is fixed, the body will heal itself within reason.
It is generally accepted that chiropractors can help sore backs but it is only about 20% of what chiropractic can do for a patient. There is a multitude of other conditions that chiropractors relieve. These include: asthma; muscle, joint and postural problems; gastrointestinal disorders; fatigue; vision problems; tinnitus; vertigo; sinus problems; allergies; croup; skin conditions; kidney conditions; irritable bowel; menstrual problems among others.
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