Published: 2009-11-01 17:52:51
Author: Jan Robbins | Examiner.com | October 16, 2009
Regular chiropractic care can be helpful in maintaining optimum health as we age.
Manipulation of the spine can be traced back to the Greeks. Hippocrates advised, "Get knowledge of the spine, for this is the requisite for many diseases."
In modern times, the origins of chiropractic care in the US began with D.D. Palmer. In the late 19th century, Palmer discovered that spinal adjustments could correct vertebrae misalignments, or subluxations, thereby eliminating the nerve interference causing patient health complaints.
D.D. Palmer’s son, B.J. Palmer, took over his father’s work and is credited with developing chiropractic into a clearly defined and unique health care system.
Today, doctors of chiropractic (DC) must complete four to five years at an accredited chiropractic college, after obtaining an undergraduate degree with an emphasis in the sciences. Chiropractors are licensed after passing national board examinations, and are then covered under insurance.
Chiropractors fall into two distinct camps: the “straights” and the “mixers.” The “straights” believe that all health issues can be addressed by spinal manipulation alone. The “mixers” use spinal manipulation along with other health care modalities such as massage, nutritional counseling, and stress management; the “mixers” also believe that people should avail themselves of other preventive medicine modalities.
Amelia Mazgaloff, DC and Lisa Medel, DC of Chiro-Health in San Francisco subscribe to the “mixers” philosophy of chiropractic. When you visit Chiro-Health, you will be offered a free consultation and preliminary physical examination. If you decide to see either one of the doctors for acute or continuing wellness care, you will be given an individualized treatment plan. This treatment plan will be continuously revised as your relationship with chiropractic care continues.