The American Chiropractic Association defines chiropractic as a health care profession that focuses on disorders of the musculoskeletal system and the nervous system, and the effects of these disorders on general health. Chiropractic care is used most often to treat neuromusculoskeletal (i.e., nerves, muscles and joints) complaints, including but not limited to back pain, neck pain, pain in the joints of the arms or legs, and headaches.
This is purposefully is a very broad definition. There are many chiropractic techniques within this definition. Most involve manual therapy; i.e. therapy done by hand. Like the martial arts, these techniques differ in style– some employ very light force while others use firm force; some utilize a hand-held instrument; and some require special tables to carry out the treatment.
Such a diversity of techniques has the effect of “clouding” the identity of chiropractic. Granted, on the surface it makes chiropractic appear ambiguous. But to me, the diversity makes perfect sense. It is symbolic of the diversity we see in humanity, from a physiological perspective. For example, large people may respond better to traditional spinal manipulation while more fragile frames may respond to softer force techniques. An analogy that best explains the virtue of the multitudes of chiropractic approaches is that there are many ways to cross the ocean, or prepare a gourmet dish. And not all of them are necessarily the “correct” way, so to speak.
So, if you are a new patient looking for a San Francisco chiropractor, don’t be dissuaded upon finding out that there are several kinds of chiropractic styles out there. I recommend that you first ask your friends, relatives or co-workers if they have any referrals. Secondly, you can check the State Board of Chiropractic Examiners website to verify that the chiropractor is in good standing. Lastly, see if you can get a complimentary evaluation at the office so you can get a feel for how the chiropractor runs his or her practice, and how the chiropractor relates to patients.
I made a Squidoo website that explains chiropractic in a nutshell, and how to find a good chiropractor.
Dan Perez, DC
