The word chiropractic comes from a combination of the Greek words kheiro and praktikos meaning ‘done by hand’.
Chiropractic is a healthcare discipline firmly grounded in science. Although mainly focusing on the relationship between the skeletal and nervous systems, it is concerned with the care of the entire body. Chiropractors use a range of methods to diagnose the state of your health, including a thorough chiropractic, neurological and orthopaedic assessment that may include the use of x-rays. Particular attention is paid to the neuro-musculo-skeletal system (nerves, muscles, bones and joints) and treatment consists of joint and soft tissue manipulation, and manual adjustments. After medicine and dentistry, chiropractic is the third largest healthcare profession in the world with over 60,000 chiropractors worldwide. Like dentistry, chiropractic emphasises the role of preventative care, helping to ensure that minor problems do not become major ones.
How does chiropractic work?
Chiropractic recognises that your body has a powerful ability to deal with and heal various knocks, bumps and injuries, as well as to detoxify and destroy the day-to-day poisons and bugs that you encounter all the time. This healing ability is organised and co-ordinated by your nervous system: the brain and spinal cord, together with all the nerves that connect the spinal cord to every single cell in your body.
Sacro Occipital Technique
There are many techniques that chiropractors can use to address MSK conditions. The main one used here at the Weston Chiropractic Centre is Sacro-Occiptal Technique (SOT). A fundamental objective of SOT is to balance the co-ordinated movements in the spinal column and the pelvis. SOT employs wedge shaped blocks positioned under your pelvis when you are lying on your back or front. The blocks allow the body to adjust to its correct alignment and balance. There are many combinations of the block positions that may be used, determined by tests that precede each adjustment. Your chiropractor will use various tests and observations together with specific signs and indicators to determine the type of adjustment needed.
How are Chiropractors trained?
The Chiropractic qualification is a full time four to five year university Masters degree. Following this, every year each Chiropractor has to meet the demands of the Continuing Professional Development in order to maintain their skills and knowledge and continue their registration with the governing body the General Chiropractic Council.
The regulation of Chiropractic
The Chiropractic Act received Royal Assent in 1994 which enabled the establishment of a General Chiropractic Council, and a General Register of Chiropractors has been established to maintain patient safety. Just as a Doctor of Medicine or Dentist has to be registered, so do Chiropractors. It is illegal to practice as a chiropractor whilst not listed on the General Register of Chiropractors.