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Chiropractor
From CreationWiki, the encyclopedia of creation science
A Chiropractor is a health care professional that focuses on disorders of the musculoskeletal and the nervous system, also called Doctors of chiropractic or chiropractic physicians. They practice a medication-free approach to health care which includes patient examination, diagnosis and hands-on treatment. Chiropractors have very broad diagnostic skills and have been educated to recommend therapeutic and rehabilitative exercises, along with nutritional, dietary, and lifestyle counseling.[1]
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Common Procedures
Chiropractic care is used most often for, but not limited to, back pain, neck pain, pain of the joints of the arms and legs and head aches. Tissue injury can be caused by a traumatic event such as improper lifting of a heavy object, or through repetitive stresses, such as sitting with poor spinal posture for long periods of time. In all physical stresses the injured tissues undergo physical and chemical changes that can cause symptoms such as inflammation, pain, and diminished function. Adjustment of these joints can restore mobility, alleviating pain and muscle tension, and also allows the tissue to be in a better position to heal. Chiropractic adjustments normally do not cause discomfort. Some patients may experience however, mild soreness or aching following treatment, which will usually resolve after 12-48 hours. When other medical aspects are involved with pain, a chiropractor may be used to support or improve medical treatment by relieving musculoskeletal symptoms associated with the.[1]
Chiropractors may assess patients by a clinical examination, laboratory testing, diagnostic imaging or other methods to determine proper treatment or if it is appropriate to give chiropractic treatment. Chiropractors will often refer patients to appropriate forms of health care when chiropractic care is not the correct option, or if chiropractic treatment should be coupled with medical treatments or other healthcare forms. One of the most commonly used therapeutic procedures used by chiropractors is “spinal manipulation” or “chiropractic adjustment”. In this practice, a controlled force is applied onto restricted joints and can help restore joint mobility.[1]
Chiropractic is based of the belief that incorrect spinal joint alignments can disturb the nervous system, lowering resistance to disease and other conditions that weaken health. Some chiropractors may use methods including heat, water, light, massage, ultrasound, electric currents, and acupuncture. Chiropractic physicians may also supplement supports such as straps, tape, braces, or shoe supports. Chiropractors will never prescribe drugs or perform surgery. However, certain Chiropractors are specialists in sports injuries, neurology, orthopedics, pediatrics, nutrition, internal disorders, or diagnostic imaging.[1]
History
Chiropractic care can be traced back to the beginning of recorded time. Greek and Chinese writings from 2700B.C. and 1500 B.C. mention spinal manipulation and directing of the lower body to alleviate lower back pain. The Greek physician, Hippocrates, who lived from 460-375 B.C., also published manuscripts dealing with the significance of chiropractic care. Hippocrates even noted the importance of the spine, declaring it was vital for many diseases. In the late nineteenth century, the practice of spinal manipulation became more popular in the United States. Then Daniel David Palmer, in 1895, founded the Chiropractic profession in Davenport, Iowa. Palmer was well educated by the medical journals of his time and had great knowledge of the new discoveries being made throughout the world related to anatomy and physiology. Palmer then went on to begin the Palmer School of Chiropractic in 1897 which is still considered one of the most prominent chiropractic colleges in the nation. As the twentieth century progressed, doctor of chiropractic gained legality in all fifty states of America. This continual acceptance in America led to support for chiropractic care internationally. In 1979 a report by Chiropractic in New Zealand strongly corroborated the effectiveness of the chiropractic field’s methods and it’s pairing with medicinal attention. The 1993 Manga Study, published in Canada investigated the cost effectiveness of chiropractic care and concluded that hundreds of millions of dollars would be annually saved when using chiropractic care to replace traditional medical care when appropriate.[2]
Education
Chiropractic colleges require four academic years of professional residential study as a minimum, including clinical experience under severe supervision, followed by a minimum of two years of college work with a curriculum focused on biological and basic sciences along with clinical disciplines. The latter two years of education call attention to practical or clinical studies dealing with the chiropractic sciences and diagnosis and treatment of disease coupled with about half of the time in college clinics. Chiropractors can only practice in states where they are licensed. Some states allow Chiropractors to have multiple state licenses with only one examination. Most state licensing boards require four-year chiropractic college course completion followed by at least two years of undergraduate education, although several also require a bachelor’s degree before training or licensing. All state boards will recognize academic training and institutions controlled by the Council on Chiropractic Education. Most state boards recognize all or part of the four-part test overseen by the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners. State examination may also supplement the National Board tests, depending on State requirements. To maintain a licensure, almost all States require completion of a number of hours of continuing education each year. Continuing education programs are offered through accredited chiropractic programs and institutions, and chiropractic associations. The Federation of Chiropractic Licensing is a non-profit organization founded in 1926 as the professional association for the governments regulatory boards that were in charge of chiropractic licensure. This site is inexpensible for new and licensed chiropractic physicians. It contains a list of phone numbers, fax numbers and contacts for Chiropractic Regulatory Agencies in Australia, Canada, the United States and its territories. The educational and testing requirements for each state or providence are also available but are to be used as a general guide, as the information is subject to change. It is very strongly advocated that anyone interested in becoming licensed in any particular state contact the Board office or the correct board's secretary to insure possession the correct information before beginning education in any school. Also, special councils within some chiropractic associations may offer programs to attain clinical specialty certifications called "diplomates". These may be in areas such as orthopedics, neurology, sports injuries, occupational and industrial health, nutrition, diagnostic imaging, thermography, and internal disorders. Sixteen United States chiropractic programs and institutions are connected to the Council on Chiropractic Education. All sixteen require applicants to have at least sixty semester hours of undergraduate study leading towards a bachelor’s degree. This includes courses in English, social sciences or humanities, organic and inorganic chemistry, biology, physics and psychology. Many applicants have already acquired a bachelor’s degree. Several chiropractic colleges, along with bachelor’s degrees, offer pre-chiropractic study. Normally during the first 2 years of study in chiropractic programs, classroom and laboratory work in basic science subjects such as anatomy, physiology, public health, microbiology, pathology, and biochemistry are emphasized. The last 2 years, however, focus on courses such as chiropractic adjustments, and provide clinical experience in physical and laboratory diagnosis, neurology, orthopedics, geriatrics, and nutrition. Chiropractic institutions and programs will award the degree of Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.) after graduation or completion.[3]
Salaries
A chiropractor’s salary can vary greatly depending on where the physician practices, how long they will practice, how they will practice, how many hours they’re going to work each day, how many years they intend to work, if they own a business or work for someone else, etc… Chiropractic professional (D.C.) can make a wide range of money. Some may make small amounts of money, and some may make up to $20,000 a week and above. The average salary of a chiropractor, annually, is around $70,000 to $80,000. Some offices may get as little as sixty visits a week and some even more than 3000, but this greatly depends on how many chiropractors are available in the office and the time the office is open. The average chiropractor works thirty to thirty-nine hours per week.[4]
However the Chiropractor must also consider the expenses of a business. If you hire, there must be administrative salaries and if you rent, that is an expense. Utilities, insurance, taxes, telephones, auto expenses, if there is a company car, supplies, advertising, and possible interest on bills must all be paid. There is also the occasional educational expense, legal or professional fees (such as a business or tax attorney), business entertaining (open houses, etc…) travel, new equipment, software, charitable contributions, etc.[4]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 What is Chiropractic? by the American Chiropractic Association
- ↑ History of Chiropractic Care by the American Chiropractic Association
- ↑ Chiropractic Education: A Chiropractors Education by Dr. Gary Farr
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Choosing a Prime Chiropractic Location by Planet Chiropractic
