chiropractor is a health care professional focused on the diagnosis and treatment neuromuscular disorders, with an emphasis on treatment through manual adjustment and/or manipulation of the spine.
Most chiropractors seek to reduce pain and improve the functionality of patients as well as to educate them on how they can account for their own health via exercise, ergonomics and other therapies to treat back pain.
Chiropractic is generally categorized as alternative medicine or complementary medicine.
Chiropractors focus on the intimate relationship between the nervous system and spine, and hold true the following beliefs:
Chiropractors use a specific type of manipulation called an adjustment to improve many health problems that are related to the skeleton and muscular system. Spinal conditions such as lower back or neck pain, conditions of areas such as the knees and shoulders, as well as other health problems such as headaches and period pain, may all be helped by chiropractic treatment.
The basic principle of chiropractic is that changes to the normal structure and function of the skeleton and its supporting structures, such as the muscles, can produce effects not just in those areas, but in other areas of the body and health in general. While the focus has been on the spine, chiropractors view all of the joints, surrounding muscles and nerves as potential sources of problems. Traditionally, chiropractors have focused on the nervous system to explain these effects, but more recently the focus has included other mechanisms, such as the effect of changes to the ‘kinematic chain’, where the function of one mechanical link in the body may have an effect on another link in the ‘chain’.
According to chiropractors, the skeleton and muscles should not be viewed as separate from other parts of the body. The body is a whole, and all its parts interact. A misaligned or poorly moving area may produce local pain, but this may also have an effect elsewhere. For example, a problem with your lower spine may cause your upper spine to compensate and you may experience symptoms in the upper section, such as a headache. This is an example of an effect on the kinematic chain. The chain can also produce effects down the body, where a lower back problem may cause you to walk incorrectly and perhaps develop ankle or knee pain. Nerves that travel from the spine to another part of the body may be irritated at the spine, but produce symptoms elsewhere, such as pain in the leg or numbness in the toes (sciatica).
Spinal manipulation has been used as a healing technique for thousands of years, but the modern version was developed in the late nineteenth century. Chiropractic is recognised as a genuine healthcare approach, and published research studies have found that it can be effective for people with a range of spinal and other problems.
Research supports the use of chiropractic for a range of disorders, including:
The experience of some chiropractors and some studies also show that chiropractic management may help other conditions. However, more research is needed in this area.
Your chiropractor will evaluate your health by asking about your condition and completing a thorough physical examination. This may involve watching how you stand and move, feeling your spine, head and pelvis, and requesting x-rays. You may be adjusted while standing, sitting, lying down or in combination – it depends on your symptoms and the judgement of your chiropractor. You can sometimes hear a clicking sound as the spinal joints are adjusted, but this is usually painless. There are a number of different methods of adjustments that use various degrees of hand pressure and specialised equipment, including:
If you have specific health conditions or other issues, the chiropractor will take them into account when deciding on your treatment. These assessments help the chiropractor to evaluate any special needs you may have and to ensure your safety and comfort during treatment. These issues may include
Chiropractors are primary contact practitioners, which means they are trained to recognise when their treatment is appropriate and when a person needed to be referred to another healthcare practitioner.
Chiropractic can be an effective treatment for back pain, headache and injury.
The chiropractor is trained to recognise when you will and will not benefit from their ca
Chiropractors are required to adhere to strict and extensive educational requirements and standards to become registered health professionals in Australia.
Australian chiropractors are five year university trained, and are government registered and government regulated health professionals.
To become a registered chiropractor in Australia you must have studied an accredited 5-year chiropractic program conducted at a University within Australia, or have completed an accredited program overseas that satisfies the requirements set by the Australian Chiropractic Regulating authority.
Currently there are four universities in Australia that have chiropractic degree programs.
The RMIT University in Melbourne, Victoria offers a Bachelor of Health Science (Chiropractic) – 3 year undergraduate program followed by a Master of Clinical Chiropractic – 2 year postgraduate program.
The Macquarie University in Sydney, New South Wales has a 3 year Bachelor of Chiropractic Science which provides the basis for entry into a 2 year Master of Chiropractic.
The Murdoch University in Perth, Western Australia offers a Bachelor of Applied Science (in Chiropractic) / Bachelor of Chiropractic. This is offered as a double degree. Successful completion of the whole program of study is required for professional registration as a chiropractor.
The Central Queensland University (Mackay, Brisbane and Sydney) which offers a 3 year Bachelor of Science (Chiropractic) and a 2 year Master of Chiropractic Science.
Successful completion of the whole program of study is required for professional registration as a chiropractor. The Chiropractors’ Association of Australia maintains an open line of communication with the four educational institutions running chiropractic degree programs.
Members of the profession and the Association’s chief executive attend course advisory committee meetings and regular discussions are held between the universities’ academic staff and the CAA National Board.
A chiropractor’s education never ends. After entering practice, all chiropractors must complete continuing professional development courses and seminars to upgrade and improve their skills and to stay current on the latest scientific research.
Chiropractors are five year university trained, government regulated and government registered healthcare professionals. Australian Government has established a chiropractic regulating authority to ensure increased public safety for the Australian population. These bodies are responsible for maintaining the highest standards for all practitioners.
For more information about registration requirements for an Australian Chiropractor, visit the Chiropractic Board of Australia website.
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