A Brief History of Chiropractic
The first recorded chiropractic adjustment was performed on September 18, 1895, by Dr. Daniel David Palmer, a Canadian-born teacher and healer. At the time Dr. Palmer was studying the cause and effect of disease. His patient, Mr. Harvey Lillard, had complained of hearing problems for over 17 years. He allowed Dr. Palmer to examine his spine. Dr. Palmer discovered a lump on Mr. Lillard's back and suspected that a vertebra might be out of place. He repositioned the vertebra with a gentle thrust. After several such treatments, much of Mr. Lillard's hearing was restored. Since Dr. Palmer's first chiropractic adjustment, the art and science of chiropractic has progressed significantly. Today, advanced diagnostic procedures, sophisticated equipment, scientific research, and acceptance among other health care professionals makes chiropractic a popular health care choice.
Chiropractic Philosophy:
The chiropractic perspective on health and disease emphasizes two fundamental concepts:
1) The structure and condition of the body influences how the body functions and heals it.
2) The mind-body relationship is instrumental in maintaining health and the healing processes. Although chiropractic shares much with other health professions, its emphasis and application of philosophy distinguishes it from modern medicine. Chiropractic philosophy gravitates toward a holistic - total person - approach to healing which combines elements of the mind, body and spirit and maintains that "health depends on obedience to natural laws, and that deviation from such laws can result in illness".
Subluxations and You
Vertebral subluxations are displacements of the spinal bones (vertebrae) that can cause stress to your spinal cord and nervous system. Subluxations may be caused by poor sleeping habits, poor posture, strenuous exercise, injuries, auto accidents, sports, slips or falls, and in some cases, the birthing process itself. Chiropractic adjustments are very helpful in correcting subluxations and restoring optimal health.
Widespread Use of Chiropractic Care
The increasing interest in alternative forms of care caught the attention of several health associations and government agencies. A 1993 study in the New England Journal of Medicine reported that "The estimated number of visits made in 1990 to providers of unconventional therapy was greater than the number of visits to all primary care medical nationwide," and "chiropractic was among the most frequently used non-medical therapies”. A follow up report published in the Journal of the American Medical Association in 1998 found that the use of non-medical treatments had increased significantly since the 1990 survey, with "overall prevalence of use increased by 25%, total visits by an estimated 47%, and expenditures on services provided by practitioners of alternative therapies by an estimated 45%." Of the survey respondents, one in nine (11%) had used chiropractic care within the previous year.
*Disclaimer: the C.C.S.P. (Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician) designation certificate is not currently recognized by the Florida Board of Chiropractic Medicine, it is however recognized nationally and internationally by: The U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC), International Olympic Committee, and the American Chiropractic Association (ACA).