Chiropractic%20The%20Future%20of%20Healthcare

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Chiropractic The Future of Healthcare

• Nicole K. Andrade
• B.A. Biology, Hartwick College 1996
• 7th Trimester Student
• New York Chiropractic College

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• The doctor of the future will give no medicine,
  but will interest his patients in the care of the
  human frame, in diet, and in the cause and
  prevention of disease. - Thomas A. Edison

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CHIROPRACTIC

• Is a natural, drug free form of healthcare
• Chiropractic doctors find and correct nervous
  system interference
• NS interference is a major obstacle to the bodys
  natural homeostatic mechanisms

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Homeostatic Balance

• The body has the innate ability to adapt to its
  environment appropriately and function optimally

Mechanical Chemical
Psychological
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Imbalance or Dis-ease

• The body is overwhelmed by some external stress
  that it cannot adapt to efficiently
• Leads to imbalance, dis-ease and subluxation
• Cycle will propagate

Mechanical
Chemical
Psychological
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Important Definitions in Chiropractic

• The Nervous System
• The Subluxation
• The Adjustment

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The Nervous System

• The nervous system controls and coordinates
  every cell, tissue and organ in the body. -
  Grays Anatomy
• Center of thought, memory, learning, attention
  and consciousness

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The Nervous System

• Controls
• muscle tension and contraction
• blood vessel diameter
• organ and glandular function
• spatial/proprioceptive relationships with
  environment
• pain, touch, temperature and vibration
• hearing, taste and smell

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End Organ Nerve Supply

• All organs and glands in the body are controlled
  by the Nervous System
• It makes sense that if the NS is sending or
  receiving mixed signals, then normal function is
  lost

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The Nervous System

• Disturbances in the nervous system may cause or
  aggravate disease processes in various parts or
  functions of the body
• Disturbances of the nervous system may be caused
  by derangements of the musculoskeletal system
• Manifest as subluxations

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SUBLUXATIONS

• Minor deviations from normal joint alignment
  and/or joint mechanics of the spinal vertebrae or
  other skeletal bones
• Lead to abnormal biomechanical and biochemical
  stress on the body
• Can disrupt the nervous system

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SUBLUXATIONS

• Caused by any stress that the bodys innate
  ability for healing cannot compensate for
• Mechanical/Structural Stress
• Chemical Stress
• Psychological/Emotional Stress

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Imbalance or Dis-ease
Mechanical
Chemical
Psychological
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SUBLUXATIONS

• If left uncorrected subluxations lead to
• Kinesiopathology
• Neuropathology
• Histopathology
• Myopathology
• and eventually Pathophysiology

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SUBLUXATIONS

• Pain is the last thing to appear and the first
  thing to resolve
• Subluxations can be asymtomatic or can cause
  acute pain and/or end organ dysfunction due to
  nervous system interference

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THE ADJUSTMENT

• A specific manual thrust delivered by the
  chiropractor which restores normal bony alignment
  and motion
• Results in normalization of the surrounding
  tissues, nerves and end organs
• Normalization leads to increased tissue and organ
  resistance to aforementioned stresses

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THE ADJUSTMENT

• Type of adjustment varies with patient
• Infant
• Pediatric
• Athlete
• Elderly

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THE ADJUSTMENT

• Type of adjustment varies with condition
• Spasm
• Acute vs. Chronic Disc Herniation
• Osteoporosis
• Metastasis
• Vascular Disorders

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THE ADJUSTMENT

• The type of adjustment varies with technique
• Diversified
• Flexion/Distraction
• Thompson
• Activator
• Logan
• etc.

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THE ADJUSTMENT

• Although many different techniques are used they
  all have a common goal To restore
  normal motion and normalize the nervous system to
  allow the body to function optimally

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STAGES OF CARE
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Relief Care Goals

• Natural pain management
• Acute (recent)
• Chronic (long standing)
• Stop further damage

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Corrective/Rehabilitative Care Goals

• Restore range of motion
• Remain pain free
• Continued healing and return to normal function

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Maintenance/Wellness Care Goals

• Improve strength and performance
• Efficient adaptation to stress
• Improved organ system function
• Increased patient responsibility for balance,
  exercise and nutrition leads to wellness and
  health
• Optimal function, not just the absence of
  symptoms or disease!

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Literature supports efficacy of Chiropractic for

• Low Back Pain
• Herniated Discs
• Whiplash
• Headache
• Sciatica and other nerve entrapment syndromes

• Frozen Shoulder
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
• TMJ Disorders
• Sports Injuries and Performance

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Some conditions commonly influenced in
Chiropractic patients

• Pediatrics
• Otitis Media
• Colic
• Enuresis
• ADD
• Asthma, Scoliosis
• Obstetrics
• Pregnancy discomfort
• Breech presentations

• Adult
• Sexual Dysfunction
• Hormonal Imbalance
• Hypertension
• Cognition
• Diabetes
• Immune Function (AIDS, Cancer)

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Other points of consideration

• Chiropractors are Portal of Entry Physicians
• Primary Care in Many States
• Extensive History and Physical Examination

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Co-Treatment and Referral

• When given the chance, conservative Chiropractic
  care can often prevent surgical and
  pharmacological intervention
• Co-treatment and referral is warranted in cases
  which do not show objective improvement, or are
  out of scope of practice

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Not Adjustments Only!

• In many offices
• Postural Analysis
• Physiotherapy Modalities
• Exercise and Nutrition Counseling
• Home instruction
• Home Exercises
• Ergonomic Changes
• Activity Modification

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Chiropractic Education

• 5 years or 3 1/3 continuous
• Comparable pre-requisites to Allopathic
• State and National Licensing Examinations
• Additional Diplomates and Certifications
• There are many similarities to Allopathic Medical
  training, but differences are VERY important

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Chiropractic Education

• Compiled as an average from 22 medical schools
  and 11 chiropractic colleges
• Additional classes and clinic times vary
  according to school

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Stay Healthy!

• Thank you.