Chiropractic Philosophy
The chiropractic perspective on health and disease emphasizes two fundamental concepts:
1) the structure and condition of the body influences how the body functions and its ability to heal itself; and
2) the mind-body relationship is instrumental in maintaining health and in the healing processes.
Although chiropractic shares much with other health professions, its emphasis and application of philosophy distinguishes it from modern medicine. Chiropractic philosophy gravitates toward a holistic ("total person") approach to healing which combines elements of the mind, body and spirit and maintains that health depends on obedience to natural laws, and that deviation from such laws can result in illness.
Chiropractic Philosophy includes:
• emphasis on patient recuperative abilities rather than surgery.
• recognition that dynamics exist between lifestyle, environment and health.
• understanding the cause of illness in order to eliminate it, rather than simply treat symptoms.
• recognition of the centrality of the nervous system and its intimate relationship with the capacities of the human body.
• balancing benefits versus risks of clinical interventions.
• recognition of the primary importance of monitoring progress closely through appropriate diagnostic procedures.
• a patient-centered, hands-on approach focused on influencing function through structure.
• focus on early intervention emphasizing timely diagnosis and treatment of conditions that are wholly functional and reversible.
Chiropractic philosophy blends an effective combination of conviction, critical thinking, open-mindedness, and appreciation of the natural order of things. Chiropractic focuses on the establishment and maintenance of a relationship between patients and their environment which is most conducive to functional well-being.
Chiropractic education
How well educated is todays Doctor of Chiropractic ?
Have you ever wondered how much education your Doctor of Chiropractic is required to have compared to a medical doctor? Look at these basic educational requirements for graduates of both chiropractic colleges and medical schools. Each has his own specialties, but the hours are about the same.
Basic Science Comparisons
Chiropractic Medical
Class Hours Subject Class Hours
(Minimum) (Minimum)
520 Anatomy 508
420 Physiology 326
271 Pathology 335
300 Chemistry 325
114 Bacteriology 130
370 Diagnosis 374
320 Neurology 112
217 X-ray 148
65 Psychiatry 144
65 Obstetrics & Gyno. 198
225 Orthopedics 156
2,887 _____________ Total Hours ______________ 2,756
Other required subjects for the
Doctor of Chiropractic:
adjusting techniques, principles of health and other
similar basic subjects related to his specialty.
Other required subjects for the
Doctor of Medicine:
pharmacology, immunology, general surgery,
and other similar basic subjects
related to his specialty.
Grand total class hours Including Other Basic Subjects
Doctor of Chiropractic: 4,485 Doctor of Medicine: 4,248
The early, formative years of chiropractic
education, like those of medicine, may have left
much to be desired. But this is true of nearly every
science in its infancy.
Today's Doctors of Chiropractic must complete at
least six years of highly specialized college training
in order to graduate and earn licensure.
Chiropractors must meet stringent educational
requirements, including approximately 600 hours of
externship, which qualify them for licensure in all
states and Canadian provinces.
They must pass a basic science examination (the
same that is given to medical graduates) as well as a
rigid chiropractic board examination. And in most
states continuing educational seminars must also
be completed for annual license renewal.
If you are in need of relief from any of a wide range of
ailments, pain, or suffering, don't overlook the
Doctor of Chiropractic. He or she has worked and
studied many long hours to gain the necessary
knowledge to help you feel well again. Give your
chiropractor, and yourself, the chance you both
deserve!
If you know others who are uninformed about
chiropractors' education, why not share this
information with them!
REMEMBER, THEY, TOO, MAY BENEFIT FROM TODAY'S SCIENTIFIC
CHIROPRACTIC CARE!
Physicians' Training
In Western medicine the focus is on curing disease once it has been established. Disease is considered a normal albeit unfortunate part of life. While the majority of physicians are
taught little about nutrition as a preventative measure, many practicing doctors are beginning to question the old assumptions and are exploring the vast potential for preventing disease through diet and other simple means.
Number of US medical schools: "125 "
Number of medical schools with a required course in nutrition:'' 30 ''
Average training in nutrition received during 4 years of medical school by US physicians only 2.5 hours.
Chiropractic acclaimed worldwide
Chiropractic is recognized and acclaimed around the world. Here are some of the positive views being affirmed.
Germany
"Chiropractic is scientifically well founded, Is one of the most effective neurotherapeutic measures known, and belongs in the very center of medicine." (Team of medical physicians, In Hippokrates.)
England
"Seventeen percent of my patients require manipulation and It is a tragic fact that the average physician learns of manipulation after his patient has been helped by someone outside the medical profession." (Ronald
Barbor, M.D., in address to Toronto Academy of Medicine.)
Switzerland
"The attitude of clinical medicine toward chiropractic has radically changed. In the mid-1930's, it was denounced. Today, however, many medical doctors are in favor of chiropractic and consider it to be an excellent therapeutic measure from certain diseases having their origin in changes within the spinal column." (H. DeBrunner, M.D., testified before a government commission.)
Australia
"There can be no disease which does not disturb the nerve cells concerned. If the cause of the disturbance of these conducting nerves can be ascertained or removed, the patient will be cured. If not, treatment merely diverts from the truth." (RJ. Berry, M.D., Dean of the faculty of medicine. University of Melbourne, in his
book. Brain and Mind.)
Canada
"The addition of chiropractic maneuvers to general management permits treatment of the cause rather than effect." (RA. Leeman, M.D., in the Canadian Medical Association Journal.)
Scotland
"Spinal manipulation is a method of treatment which has been long neglected by the medical profession. In spite of the efforts of men...to demonstrate its value, there is still much prejudice against it and Ignorance regarding the rational understanding of the treatment and methods for carrying it out." (T. McW. Mlllar, in The Clinical Journal.)
Russia
"[In] many pathological processes...the nervous component remains from beginning to end the factor that determines their general state." (Dr. AD. Speransky, director of the department of patho-physiology of the All Union Institute of Experimental Medicine in Leningrad, in one of his books.)
United Kingdom
"It Is regrettable that patients suffering from slight congestive spinal lesion should be advised to seek relief in a popular pain killer. No wonder that the manipulator who can, in a short time, often relieve intolerable backache receives warm appreciation." (L. Capper- Medicine.)
Denmark
"Manipulative treatment, which previously
in this country was given exclusively by chiropractors, has in latter years been taken up by some physicians, among others, the writer, who has found that this therapy is of significant value. It must be emphasized that it requires great clinical experience and great technical skill to perform these manipulations. If the physiotherapists want to use manipulative treatment, they ought to get an education just as thorough as that of chiropractors." (Dr. Boje, senior physician at Rigs- hospital, Copenhagen, in publication of the Danish Medical Association.)
France
"The 600 cases that we have observed over a period of four years have taught us super abundantly that vertebro-therapy...often...constitutes the only means of curing, and that in a manner which is at times spectacular... the manipulations extolled by the chiropractors are multiple and varied, and do not concern back pains only." (Charles M. Rocher, M.D., in
Bordeaux ChirurgicaL)
Argentina
"Chiropractic is a useful therapeutic method worthy of being introduced into the patrimony of medicine. We regard it as very fitting...to create a school of chiropractors, with the object of making known to physicians the existence of this therapeutic method and its accomplishments...and with the highly social objective of bringing the benefits of chirotherapy to even the humblest classes." (Ministry of Public Health and Welfare.)
Germany
"Since the introduction of chiropractic methods in our polyclinic...it must undoubtedly be recognized that the percentage of success is great. No physical or psychic damage was done to the patients not successfully treated. Those not handled successfully were almost exclusively those who did not come regularly for treatment. This method is worth being brought to the attention of the widest possible medical circles." (Dr. AA. Hochfeld.)
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