Chiropractors are often known for spinal adjustments and the popping noise many people’s bodies make when their musculoskeletal system clicks back into alignment. That noise is the sound of pockets of gas being released by the joints as they fall back into place. However, the science of chiropractic treatment dates back to the earliest days of civilization and can be found in texts from ancient Chinese and Greek cultures. Today, chiropractic care is the third-largest health profession, with only medicine and dentistry outranking the practice. 

A Brief History

As more and more patients look for alternatives to traditional medicine, the chiropractic field is rapidly expanding. With 77,000 chiropractors nationwide, this time-honored tradition offers hope for relief from pain. According to the American Chiropractic Association (ACA), increasing numbers of people are turning to chiropractic care for help with conditions like whiplash, muscle strains, and neck and low back pain.

Chiropractic care has been around millennia, but more modern medical treatments have overshadowed it in the past century. However, writings dating back to 2700 B.C. have been found in Greece and China that mention chiropractic care. Later, Hippocrates, the famous Greek physician, said:

“Know the spine, for this is the requisite for many diseases.”

Chiropractic care emerged in the United States, pioneered by an Iowa doctor named Daniel David Palmer in the late 1800s. Palmer founded the Palmer School of Chiropractic, which is still in operation today.

During chiropractic school, students spend four to five years training, including at least 4,200 hours in labs, classrooms, and clinics. Before practicing, they must pass a national board test and any state-level tests that may be required. Each state also has its licensing requirements. According to the ACA, the depth and breadth of training allow chiropractors to act as primary care providers.

People are beginning to realize that harmful drugs are not always the answer and that a healthy skeleton and lifestyle are essential to wellness. This has led to growing momentum for more natural, holistic, and effective treatments.

How Chiropractors Work

Chiropractors focus on the health and alignment of the musculoskeletal system. Many pains result when something in this system of muscles, joints, bones, tendons, and ligaments falls out of place.

Chiropractic care is based on the notion that a person’s overall health is linked to spinal alignment. The spine not only houses the central nervous system but also affects how a person processes pain.

According to chiropractors, all body parts—muscles, ligaments, and bones—are interconnected. A misalignment in one area can influence something similar or pain in other body parts. Through spinal adjustments and manipulations, chiropractic care helps patients ensure their bodies are in optimal alignment, which allows for the free flow of muscles and bones. Without restriction in the musculoskeletal system, most patients experience a reduction in pain without even ingesting prescription medication!

More and more patients have become aware of the dangers of opioid drugs recently, and there is renewed interest in treating back pain, such as chiropractic care and acupuncture.

Conclusion

Looking for an alternative way to deal with body pain? Schedule a visit with a chiropractor in Atlanta, GA, at Kindspine! We’re the metro’s premier practice focusing on upper cervical care for your optimal healing and wellness. Book your schedule now!