There are many misconceptions about chiropractic care. One of the most common is that it is not a science, but in reality, chiropractors use scientific methods to diagnose and treat patients. Indeed, people tend to harbor varying notions and ideas regarding the concept of science in the chiropractic field. This blog post will discuss some of the ways in which chiropractic treatment is scientific.
In 1970, the United States Congress passed appropriations in support of health care research to classify chiropractic care as scientific. The House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations found that “the therapeutic value of spinal manipulation is established.” It further went on to say that it has been accepted by people for over hundreds of years and used in all areas of the world.
Twenty years later, Dr. Franklin L Adams wrote an article for the American Chiropractic Association (ACA). He observed that spinal manipulation had been widely used and found to be effective in treating back and neck pain and other neuromuscular conditions because it works on a mechanical basis, thus adhering to basic principles of the principle of science. He postulated that spinal manipulation or “mobilization” is a much better term for the procedure because it implies the controlled use of manual therapy techniques towards affected areas to enhance normal neuromuscular function.
The ACA asserts that chiropractic is an independent, primary health care profession focused on patient wellbeing. The International Chiropractic Association (ICA) explains that chiropractic diagnoses and treatments are based on the belief that the body has an innate ability to heal itself, which can be aided by a number of different treatment procedures, including manual soft tissue therapies, physiotherapeutic modalities, lifestyle recommendations for rehabilitation, nutritional support and homeopathic remedies. This form of treatment is supported by research that shows that most people who receive chiropractic care experience significant improvements in their symptoms and quality of life and an increased sense of wellbeing.
In 2010, the University Hospitals Case Medical Centre published a study to determine if doctors from various medical specialties were able to agree on a set of guidelines to diagnose and treat patients. More than 100 physicians from 21 different specialties were recruited for the study, which aimed to explore how many areas could be generally agreed upon and what was chosen as the best treatment option in light of certain medical conditions.
The results showed that there was much consensus among doctors regarding the diagnosis of various conditions, with about 9 out of 10 agreeing on certain skin diseases and trauma cases. As for treatment options, the study indicated that the highest percentage agreement was in chiropractic care, which had almost 94 percent of doctors agreeing on its effectiveness.
Even the American Medical Association (AMA) has gone on record to say that chiropractic care is a science-based on generally accepted principles of anatomy and physiology. They also recognize the effectiveness of chiropractic treatment in treating neuromuscular problems through manual manipulation or instrumentation. In addition, the AMA acknowledges that they continue to support further research on chiropractic care. It has been observed that medical doctors who provide their patients with chiropractic services can improve the healthcare they receive and also increase health promotion and disease prevention among these individuals. As such, all health professionals need to understand exactly how chiropractors provide safe and effective care that contributes to their patient’s overall health and wellness.
Chiropractic has been more widely accepted as a recognized professional practice in North America than anywhere else in the world; however, this form of treatment is not exclusively limited to this continent as it can also be found throughout Europe and several other countries such as Australia, Korea, and Japan. Chiropractic care is becoming increasingly popular among people worldwide as it provides a natural, non-invasive treatment option that does not rely on medication and surgery.
Although many people tend to think of chiropractors as back specialists, this form of treatment can be used to treat a wide variety of conditions. The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified chiropractic care as a type of manual therapy used to treat neuromuscular problems; however, this method is also effective in treating various other conditions such as sports injuries and issues that arise during pregnancy.
It is important to note that chiropractic care is not the same thing as spinal manipulation. Chiropractors can offer safe, natural treatment of their patients at any stage of life due to the application of hands-on care techniques that address the neuromuscular system. For example, this form of treatment is effective when treating newborn infants through seniors.
In general, it is a widely recognized fact that most doctors from different medical disciplines acknowledge the existence and efficacy of chiropractic care; however, many people tend to think that this form of treatment is only used to treat patients with lower back pain and related neuromuscular disorders. As such, the health benefits of chiropractic care are often overlooked by people from all walks of life; however, everyone needs to learn more about this natural healthcare alternative to take advantage of all the benefits that chiropractic care provides. In this case, it is important for all to consider chiropractic care as a science. Call us today at 205-637-1363.