Chiropractic is a healthcare approach that diagnoses and treats issues based on the belief that the nervous system regulates all bodily functions, and that illnesses arise when normal nerve function is disrupted. This practice involves manipulating and adjusting body structures, like the spine, to alleviate nerve pressure caused by misaligned vertebrae. Chiropractors assert that such misalignments and nerve compression can lead to issues both locally and elsewhere in the body. Chiropractic care has shown effectiveness in treating muscle spasms in the back and neck, tension headaches, and certain types of leg pain, though its efficacy for other conditions is debated.The modern practice of chiropractic was established by Daniel David Palmer, who performed the first chiropractic adjustment in 1895. The term "chiropractic" comes from the Greek words "chir-," meaning hand, and "prassein," meaning to do, reflecting the hands-on nature of the treatment. This term emerged in 1898 when Palmer founded the Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa.Chiropractors differ in their treatment approaches. The International Chiropractors Association focuses solely on spinal manipulation, whereas the American Chiropractors Association supports a comprehensive approach that includes spinal adjustments along with other treatments like physical therapy, psychological counseling, and dietary advice. The American Medical Association (AMA) once criticized chiropractic for its "unscientific" methods, but after legislative changes in 1972 that included chiropractic under the Medicare Act, the AMA softened its stance in 1978. To qualify as a Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.), one must complete at least two years of college followed by four years at a chiropractic school.
