Chiropractic is a complementary and alternative health care profession which focuses on diagnosing, treating, and preventing mechanical disorders of the musculoskeletal system, their effects on the nervous system and general health. Chiropractors believe that spinal joint misalignments called subluxations, interfere with the body's self-regulating mechanisms via the nervous system resulting in bodily dysfunction.

A chiropractor may specialize in treating low back problems or sports injuries, or may combine chiropractic with manipulation of the extremities, physiotherapy, nutrition, or exercises to increase spinal strength or improve overall health. He/she may also use other complementary and alternative methods as a part of a holistic treatment approach. Chiropractors are not trained or licensed to prescribe drugs or perform surgery. They are trained to recognize signs of cancer, diabetes, and infectious diseases and refer these patients to medical physicians for specialized or concomitant care.

While there is evidence that spinal manipulation can be effective against acute low back pain and tension headaches, many other claims concerning health benefits are anecdotal and either lack support from or are refuted by objective controlled trials.McCrory DC, et al. Evidence Report: Behavioral and Physical Treatments for Tension-type and Cervicogenic Headache. Duke University Evidence-Based Practice Center, Durham, North Carolina, January 2001 available online (PDF format) Ernst E (2006) A systematic review of systematic reviews of spinal manipulation J R Soc Med 99:192-6 name=Balon> Jeffrey Balon, M.D. A Comparison of Active and Simulated Chiropractic Manipulation as Adjunctive Treatment for Childhood Asthma. New England Journal of Medicine. Volume 339:1013-1020, October 8, 1998, Number 15 [http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/abstract/339/15/1013 available online

More on [ Chiropractic ]

NEWS.com.au | In-Depth | Health and Living

IVF blunders destroy baby dreams
Fri, 03 Jul 2009 14:01:00 -0000
MORE than 100 patients have had their dreams of parenthood destroyed, including a couple whose sample was lost.
Singletons have higher dementia risk
Fri, 03 Jul 2009 00:10:00 -0000
PEOPLE who live alone in middle age face nearly double the risk of developing cognitive problems in later life compared with married or cohabiting counterparts, according to a new study.
Positive thinking can make things worse
Thu, 02 Jul 2009 22:45:00 -0000
REPEATING positive statements such as "I am a lovable person" or "I will succeed" makes some people feel worse about themselves instead of raising their self-esteem, a study says.
Celebrities inspire our top baby names
Thu, 02 Jul 2009 14:02:00 -0000
MIA has come from nowhere to be Australia's most popular girls' name, thanks to Bec and Lleyton.
Paracetamol review after liver warning
Thu, 02 Jul 2009 01:55:00 -0000
AUSTRALIAN authorities will review the use of the common pain-killer drug paracetamol, after concerns were raised in the United States about possible side-effects, including liver failure.
Australia breeds generation of mummies' boys
Tue, 30 Jun 2009 14:01:00 -0000
WHY would young men want to leave home while their cooking and cleaning is done for them?
Proof men really do prefer food over sex
Tue, 23 Jun 2009 14:01:00 -0000
Aussies asked what gives them pleasureMen rate food higher than sexWomen treasured values
Wild wedding becomes a viral sensation
Sat, 20 Jun 2009 14:01:00 -0000
A SUBURBAN wedding has gone viral on the internet with pictures of the flamboyant affair being circulated by email.
Tiny baby's pacemaker is bigger than her
Fri, 19 Jun 2009 14:01:00 -0000
IN a world first, tiny Taylor Gardner has been fitted with a pacemaker bigger than her fragile body.
Tough laws to make homebirths illegal
Thu, 18 Jun 2009 14:01:00 -0000
THERE are fears women determined to have a homebirth will "go it alone" and the practice will be driven underground.

Subscribe to Health RSS feed