Chiropractic care
Chiropractic Care
Chiropractic care (pronunciation: /ˈkaɪrəˌpræktɪk/) is a health care profession that focuses on disorders of the musculoskeletal system and the nervous system, and the effects of these disorders on general health.
Etymology
The term "chiropractic" comes from the Greek words cheir (hand) and praxis (practice) to describe treatment done by hand or hands-on treatment.
Overview
Chiropractic care is most often used to treat neuromusculoskeletal complaints, including but not limited to back pain, neck pain, pain in the joints of the arms or legs, and headaches. Doctors of Chiropractic – often referred to as chiropractors or chiropractic physicians – practice a drug-free, hands-on approach to health care that includes patient examination, diagnosis, and treatment.
Techniques
Chiropractors have broad diagnostic skills and are also trained to recommend therapeutic and rehabilitative exercises, as well as to provide nutritional, dietary, and lifestyle counseling. The most common therapeutic procedure performed by doctors of chiropractic is known as “spinal manipulation,” also called “chiropractic adjustment.”
Related Terms
- Spinal adjustment: A technique where chiropractors apply a controlled, sudden force to a spinal joint.
- Subluxation: A term used in the chiropractic field to describe what happens when one of the vertebrae in your spine moves out of position.
- Manipulative therapy: A type of physical treatment primarily used by physical therapists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, chiropractors, massage therapists, athletic trainers, osteopaths, and osteopathic physicians.
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