Beginners Guide to Chiropractic

The word chiropractic derives from the Greek words “cheir”, meaning hand, and “practikos” meaning skilled in or concerned with. The origin of the word chiropractic can be traced back to D.D. Palmer coined it in 1895 when he founded chiropractic.

Chiropractic care is really about total health and wellbeing.

What does a Chiropractor do?

A chiropractor is a healthcare professional who specialises in the health and function of the spine and nervous system. Because of this focus on the spine, many people think chiropractors can only help with back pain, neck pain, and headaches. They can often help with these issues, but there is much more to chiropractic than just pain.

This is the first video in our animated series “Introduction to Chiropractic.” In this video, we outline what a chiropractor does, then we briefly explore the effects of care. It is a perfect one to watch for anyone curious about chiropractic care and how it can help their family.

Vertebral Subluxation

Because of the close relationship between the spine and the nervous system, every day strains can impact the flow of information and communication between the brain and the body. Messages may not be delivered to the brain, or they may be inaccurate. When that miscommunication occurs due to abnormal movement in the spine, chiropractors call this a ‘vertebral subluxation’, or a “chiropractic subluxation”.

You might hear it again from your chiropractor – so now you know what it means.

Video References

1. Rosner AL. Chiropractic identity: A neurological, professional, and political assessment. J Chiropr Humanit 2016;23(1):35-45.
2. de Souza R, Ebrall P. Understanding wellness in a contemporary context of chiropractic practice. Chiropr J Aust 2008;38(1):12-16.
3. Schuster TL, Dobson M, Jauregui M, et al. Wellness lifestyles II: Modeling the dynamic of wellness, health lifestyle practices, and Network Spinal Analysis. J Altern Complement Med 2004;10(2):357-67.
4. Henderson CN. The basis for spinal manipulation: Chiropractic perspective of indications and theory. J Electromyogr Kinesiol 2012;22(5):632-42.
5. Haavik H, Murphy B. The role of spinal manipulation in addressing disordered sensorimotor integration and altered motor control. J Electromyogr Kinesiol 2012;22(5):768-76.
6. Haavik Taylor H, Holt K, Murphy B. Exploring the neuromodulatory effects of the vertebral subluxation and chiropractic care. Chiropr J Aust 2010;40(1):37-44.
7. Herzog W, Zhang YT, Conway PJ, et al. Cavitation sounds during spinal manipulative treatments. Journal of Manipulative & Physiological Therapeutics 1993;16(8):523-6.
8. Haavik H, Kumari N, Holt K, Niazi IK, Amjad I, Pujari AN, Türker KS, Murphy B. The contemporary model of vertebral column joint dysfunction and impact of high-velocity, low-amplitude controlled vertebral thrusts on neuromuscular function. Eur. J. Appl. Physiol. 2021; doi: 10.1007/s00421-021-04727-z. Advance online publication.
9. Haavik H, Niazi IK, Kumari N, Amjad I, Duehr J, Holt K. The potential mechanisms of high-velocity, low-amplitude, controlled vertebral thrusts on neuroimmune function: A narrative review. Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania). 2021;57(6). doi:10.3390/medicina57060536