Chiropractic

Dr. Christopher Good, DC, MA(Ed), CCSPProfessor, New York Chiropractic College

How many people here have been to a Chiropractor?

The First Chiropractic Patient

September 18, 1895

This profession has come a long way…

What Is Chiropractor ???

• A doctor who specializes in treating nerve, muscle and joint problems...

• Using primarily manual therapy and other natural methods...

• To restore and maintain health.

What is Health?

Optimal functionNot merely absence of sign or symptomsHow do you know?What controls the function of the body?

The Nervous System...

Controls and coordinates

all systems of the body

Did you know…Food 6 weeksWater 6 daysOxygen 6 minutesNervous System 6 msec

What changes nervous system function?

What changes nervous system function?

• Chemical Factors drugs poor nutrition

• Psychological Factors stress

• Mechanical Factors Trauma Compression or Irritation

Compression or Irritation by ...

• Muscles • Bones -->Subluxation

Joint restriction Bone malposition Joint degeneration --> see the X-ray view box

• These can irritate the nervous system, especially subluxation

What causes subluxation?

Let’s look at the spine…

How do you treat Subluxation?

Go to the Chiropractor, of course!

Going to the Chiropractor...

…And Get to the Cause of the Problem!

The Case History

The Examination

Orthopedic Testing

The Examination

Neurological Testing

The Examination

Palpation

Joint Palpation

The Examination

X-ray films

The Examination

X-ray films

Review of Findings

Chiropractic Treatment Methods

Manual TherapiesAdjustmentsManipulationsMobilizations to joints and soft tissue structuresMuscle and ligament therapy

Chiropractic Treatment Methods

Other Physical TreatmentsHeat, IceElectro-therapies, Ultrasound

Chiropractic Treatment Methods

Exercise and RehabilitationPatient Education

Postural/nutritional adviceLifestyle strategies

Chiropractic Treatment Methods

The Good News…

• No Drugs• No Surgery

Why people go to the chiropractor…

• 43 % Low back pain• 33% Neck pain• 15% Headache• 11% Extremity conditions• 9% Other neuromusculoskeletal• 4% Visceral conditions

GI, Asthma, Hypertension, other-ACA 2000

Survey

People use Chiropractic for different reasons…

The Profession…

• According to the ACA 2000 survey… 86% Male 70% solo practitioners work 43 hours/week 115 patient visits/week Income

Gross $220,000 Net $81,500

Chiropractic Education

You could probably be a Chiropractic Physician if:

You were intelligent You liked people You enjoy studying the sciences, especially biology

and anatomy You were good with your hands

There are:

16 Chiropractic colleges located

throughout the United States

25 Chiropractic colleges located in

various countries around the world

Admission RequirementsAdmission Requirements

Prerequisite Courses RequiredBachelors Degree Recommended

General Biology with Labs (6 Semester Hours)

General Chemistry with Labs (6 Semester Hours)

Organic Chemistry with Labs (6 Semester Hours)

General Physics with Labs (6 Semester Hours)

Did you know that…….

Chiropractic College is Similar to Medical College

Chiropractic students study more anatomy, physiology, diagnosis and neurology

Sports MedicineOrthopedicsNutrition

During and after graduation there can be specialized study

Many Thanks…Any Questions?