Chiropractors

5 Pages 1139 Words

Using basic herbs for medicinal purposes? Never! Most general practitioners would balk. Dating back to the times of the Neanderthal man, living off the land also meant healing off of it. “Chiropractors use natural medicines to promote general well being and to increase immunities” (Klein). Through the neurological system, parts of the body are connected that wouldn’t be expected. By using this information, Chiropractors can heal a multitude of problems and illnesses. Once very rare in the United States, there are now over 50,000 practicing Chiropractors.

Despite being considered an alternative approach to health care, a license is still required to practice in the United States, or anywhere else for that matter. To achieve this, at least two years of college classes (an associates degree) is a prerequisite, but a full four years (a bachelor’s degree) allows a head start. After the undergraduate work is completed, the prospective Chiropractor would apply to and attend Chiropractic school, which can last anywhere from three to six years. During Chiropractic school, anatomy is studied intensely, along with other pertinent subjects. Once licensed and thrown into the working field, Chiropractors can earn anywhere from $20,000 to $200,000, depending on location and clientele base (Workers, 442-443).

Chiropractic care, as we know it today, wasn’t established until 1895 by Daniel D. Palmer. He was said to believe that “deviations of the spinal column, or subluxations, were the cause of practically all diseases and that Chiropractic adjustments was the cure” (Workers, 441). He wasn’t the first to think this way. Dating as far back as 2700 BC, Chinese healers used a method very similar to the ones used to day. Hippocrates, known as the father of medicine, is recorded around 400 BC having used spinal manipulation to heal ailments in other areas of the body. Some other lesser known people are Galen, a renowned G...