CHIROPRACTORS
The word chiropractic comes from the ancient Greek "cheiro" meaning hand and "praktikos" meaning manipulation.
Manipulation of the spine has been practised since the 5th century B.C.
In 1895 chiropractic was developed by Daniel D Palmer.
He tested his theories on a person who had been deaf for 17 years.
This resulted in a return of the persons hearing.
Sad to say Palmer was jailed for practising medicine without a license but his son carried on his methods.
The practise spread to Europe, Australia and New Zealand.
In Australia it gained official recognition in 1978 which led to the worlds forst government funded course.
Chiropractic sees the body as a natural healthy system with the key to the body being the spine.
Distortion to the spine affects other parts of the body.
Chiropractors claim that treatment may ease muscle tension resulting from stress or problems in internal organs.
A large amount of scientific research now exists to support the efficacy of chiropractic for lower back pain.
Treatment will focus on joint manipulation.
A treatment with a chiropractor may last from 30 to 60 minutes for the first session and then 15 to 20 minutes for follow up sessions.
The practitioner will begin by taking a detailed medical history.
You may be asked about your lifestyle and your work.
The chiropractor will also observe your posture and gait.
You will be maneuvered into different positions so the chiropractor can examine the functioning of your spinal column, joints and muscles.
You will be asked to stand, sit or lie on a chiropractic table.
The chiropractor will use precise and controlled techniques.
A rubber tipped instrument known as an Activator is sometimes used to activate the spine.
Using a technique called Motion Palpation the chiropractor moves his hands to discover which joints are stiff or locked.
The practitioner will check how the pelvis moves in relation to the sacrum.
Unlocking a joint using chiropractic adjustment is usually painless and can bring immediate relief.