Chiropractic:  “Cheir” means hand and Praktikos means practical in Greek language.  These two words together mean “done by hand.”  It is the third largest independent health care system (after medicine and dentistry).  It is the most used form of an alternative therapy.

 Chiropractic was founded in 1895 by Daniel David Palmer, a self-educated American healer.  At the same time, he founded his Chiropractic school.  In 1906, a change in the profession occurred due to a personal conflict within the staff and their beliefs about the nature of disease.  As a result, a new school with a different format was founded by one of the Palmer’s faculty (Howard).  This new school was based on scientific educational curriculum.  This difference in opinion and preparation still exist today.

 Those schools which follow Palmer’s path are called “straight” chiropractors.  Those schools which follow Howard’s model are called “Mixer” chiropractors.  This difference is similar with the Naturopathy field such as:  Naturopathic Physicians  Traditional Naturopathic Doctor

 Chiropractors are  licensed in all the states in USA.  can be primary care providers  able to do diagnosis  able to do treatment  Perform manipulation of the spine (this is the only procedure they can do)  not able to do surgery  not able to write a prescription

 Relies heavily on hands-on procedures to determine both structural and functional malfunction in the body.  Attention is paid to spinal musculoskeletal, neurological, vascular, nutritional, and emotional relationships.

 Most states have some kind of mandated health insurance coverage for treatment done by chiropractic.  The coverage for the number of visit per year might be different.

 Manipulation of the spine: Repositioning of the vertebrae for treatment of variety of dysfunctions.  Example: Repositioning of the 7 th cervical vertebrae for hand weakness and numbness was done by Dr. Galen (Greek physician 130 AD).