What is Chiropractic?
Chiropractic is a primary health-care profession, so you do not need to be referred by your doctor. A chiropractor is trained to diagnose your problem and will refer you to another health-care practitioner if necessary. Chiropractors treat problems with joints, bones and muscles and the effects they have on the nervous system.
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___Whilst chiropractors are best known for the management of back and neck
pain, they are also trained to treat a wide range of problems affecting
other joints and soft tissues of the musculoskeletal system. Working on all the joints of the body, concentrating particularly on the spine, they use
their hands to make gentle, specific adjustments (the
chiropractic word for manipulation) to improve the efficiency of the
nervous system.
Chiropractic does not involve the use of drugs or surgery
_The
effectiveness of chiropractic treatment is supported by research as
well as by various UK government and medical organisations. Chiropractic
may be available to patients under the umbrella of the NHS, but this
will depend on the situation within a specific NHS Primary Care Trust.
Otherwise patients see chiropractors in a private capacity either
through self-referral or as a result of a referral from their GP, other
doctor or health professional. BCA chiropractors also treat people who
are seeking treatment through private health insurers.
The History of Chiropractic
_Written
records from the ancient Greek and Chinese civilizations, dating back
several thousand years, refer to spinal manipulation. The
inception of modern chiropractic can be traced back to 1895 when
Canadian Daniel David Palmer performed the first chiropractic adjustment
and went on to found The Palmer School of Chiropractic in Davenport,
Iowa in 1897.
The 20th century saw the growth and development of the profession worldwide, gaining recognition and respect for the place it has taken in the primary care environment. Influential research has underpinned the development of the profession and has come both from both within and outside of the chiropractic research communities.
Chiropractic is unique in that the profession is organised internationally and there are international standards for education.
The 20th century saw the growth and development of the profession worldwide, gaining recognition and respect for the place it has taken in the primary care environment. Influential research has underpinned the development of the profession and has come both from both within and outside of the chiropractic research communities.
Chiropractic is unique in that the profession is organised internationally and there are international standards for education.
Regulation of Chiropractic
_In
common with medical practitioners and dentists, all chiropractors are
registered by law under the Chiropractors Act 1994 and the title
‘Chiropractor’ is protected under this legislation. The
profession is statutorily regulated through the General Chiropractic
Council (GCC) and it is illegal to practise as a chiropractor without
being registered with the GCC.
All British Chiropractic Association members are registered with the General Chiropractic Council.
_Llangefni Chiropractic Clinic, Anglesey, North Wales, UK
