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| As the new millenium approaches, the preceding 10 years have been an exciting period for those us involved in the realm of natural heath care. In no other decade has there been a greater public awareness or utilization of so-called ?alternative health care?. It?s efficacy, acceptance and effectiveness is progressing at an alarming rate. In the forefront of this change there has always been the chiropractic profession. |
| WHAT IS CHIROPRACTIC? |
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| The Greek word, chiropractic, literally means ?done by hand?. Although a facsimile of what chiropractors do has existed for hundreds of years, it wasn?t until 1895 that a Canadian, Daniel D. Palmer, the founder of chiropractic, coined the word chiropractic and laid the ground work for the philosophy and science of chiropractic as we know it today. Chiropractic is a natural, holistic approach to health care that recognizes the body?s innate ability to heal itself. This fundamental ability is intimately dependent on the health of the nervous system. As such, this is the main focus of chiropractic. In order to achieve the desired effects, chiropractors primarily target the spine because it is the protective highway by which the central nervous system communicates with the rest of the body. |
| CHIROPRACTIC HEALTH CARE |
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Chiropractors believe in whole body wellness. Since your nervous system determines how well you feel physically, mentally and emotionally, many problems you are experiencing may be related to a problem with your spine and nervous system. Any interference with these systems will hamper your well being and full expression of life. These interruptions are often expressed as symptoms ? the most obvious being pain and discomfort. Chiropractic care works to insure your nervous system is functioning at its best, which, in turn, allows the body to better heal itself.
Chiropractors call these areas of spinal malfunction vertebral subluxation complexes (VSC). The causes of a VSC are many and varied. There are three basic categories:
1. Physical (Poor posture, injury, overuse, etc.)
2. Emotional (Stresses, fatigue, depression, etc.)
3.Chemical (Environmental, pollution, drugs, etc.)
The signs and symptoms of a VSC can range from severe disabling pain, to numbness and weakness, to headaches to a subtle malfunction of bodily functions - just to name a few. Rather than the traditional approach of medicine, where drugs and surgery are often used to treat symptoms, chiropractic attempts to determine and correct the underlying causes of the symptoms ? not just mask them.
A holistic or wellness approach to health care focuses on the wellbeing of the entire patient. Chiropractic?s role is to allow the body to heal itself to the best of its ability. |
| CHIROPRACTIC FACTS |
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Chiropractic is now the 3rd largest primary health profession after medicine and dentistry.
Chiropractors are one of five professions legally allowed the use of ?doctor? and thus obligated to make diagnoses.
No referral is necessary to visit a chiropractor and the cost is partly covered by most provincial health plans and most private insurance.
It is established in over 60 countries worldwide.
There are 4500 Chiropractors in Canada and 50 000 in North America.
Chiropractic is one of the safest forms of health care.
It is one of the most scientifically studied and validated methods of health care.
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