 Definition
Chiropractic is a health profession concerned with the diagnosis, treatment and
prevention of disorders of the musculoskeletal system, and the effects of these disorders
on the nervous system and general health. There is an emphasis on manual treatments,
including spinal manipulation.
Practice
 The chiropractic profession emphasizes the natural power of the
body to heal itself, and therefore chiropractic excludes the use of drugs
or surgery. Subsequently, patients requiring these interventions are referred for medical care.
Chiropractors use natural or non-invasive treatment approaches including manual
treatments, physical therapy modalities, exercise programs, nutritional advice, orthotics,
lifestyle modification and patient education.
Origin
Chiropractic was founded in Davenport, IA, in 1895 by Daniel David Palmer
whose primary focus was spinal adjustment, or manipulation. A patient of Palmer, Rev.
Samuel Reed, suggested the name of the profession, which is derived from the Greek praxis
and cheir, meaning practice by hand. In 1897, Palmer founded the
Palmer School of Chiropractic in Davenport; it remains one of the major chiropractic
colleges in the U.S.
Conflict
The inherent conflict between chiropractic and medicine has evolved
throughout the history of the profession. Reasons for the conflict include, but are not
limited to, the following:
- Educational standards. Between 1910 and 1950, medicine in the U.S.
consolidated its standards and position in society, supported by government and private
funding. In contrast, chiropractic education remained a tuition-driven private enterprise.
- Competition. Chiropractors claimed to have an alternative and superior
fundamental approach to health as opposed to their medical counterparts, who merely
treated symptoms.
- Form of treatment. Spinal manipulation as adopted by the chiropractic
profession has never been a part of medical education. Manipulation in eyes of physicians
was considered dangerous and ineffective. Presently, however, medicine has recognized
spinal manipulation as a possible first line treatment for back pain.
 Brief Chronology
- 1895: Palmer begins practicing chiropractic in Davenport, IA
- 1897: Palmer School of Chiropractic opens
- 1905: Minnesota as the first state to license the practice of chiropractic
- 1933: U.S. Council of State Chiropractic Examining Boards is established with a
mandate to provide unified standards for licensure
- 1944: Foundation for Chiropractic Education and Research is established and is
the foremost agency for funding of postgraduate scholarship and research
- 1974: U.S. Council on Chiropractic Education is recognized by the federal
government as the accrediting agency for schools of chiropractic
- 1987: Judgment in Wilk vs. American Medical Association rendered opening
the way for cooperation between medical and chiropractic doctors in education, research
and practice in the U.S.
- 1996: U.S. begins official funding support for chiropractic research
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