Chiropractic and Naturopathic Medicine – a basic summary

Chiropractic and Naturopathic Medicine – a basic summary

In 1895 Daniel David Palmer founded chiropractic healthcare based primarily on the importance of the physical structure of the human body and its effects on the vascular system. Also, chiropractic was to have emphasis on the manipulation of the spine due to subluxations or misalignments of the vertebrae (Micozzi, 2018). Chiropractors believe that the nervous system’s signals are transmitted through autonomic pathways to the muscles and internal organs. These signals can cause pain throughout the body and consequently should be able to reduce pain by way of spinal manipulation. Chiropractic draws upon other cultures’ ancient “bonesetting” techniques.The allopathic profession was also becoming stronger in the early 1900’s in establishing a monopoly on medical training and licensure. Allopathic practitioners and the American Medical Association began to forcefully oppose the new chiropractic professions well into the 2nd half of the 20th century (Micozzi, 2018). Chiropractic practitioners’ focus has been mostly to treat neuromusculoskeletal issues, including but not limited to pain in the back, neck, and in the joints of the arms or legs. The main philosophies of using drug free methods of manipulation as a means to promote whole body healing has not changed for chiropractors.

The naturopathy healthcare modality formed in the United States around the early 1900’s, with emphasis on disease prevention and treatment by way of pursuing a healthy lifestyle with the body’s own innate healing abilities. Naturopathic medicine seeks to diagnosis and treat the root cause of the patient as a whole being, rather than treating the pieces and parts of the person (Millstone, 2019).

Naturopathic doctors may use a variety of therapy methods such as:

• Management of diet through nutritional supplements and medicinal herbs
• Acupuncture
• Physical therapies (heat or cold therapy, ultrasonography, and massage)
• Hydrotherapy (warm-water or cold-water applications)
• Mind-body therapies
• Exercise therapy (Millstone, 2019)

Naturopathy also follows a Natural Order of Appropriate Therapeutic Intervention, where:

 1. Reestablish the basis for health:

• Remove obstacles to healing.

• Establish a healthy environment.

• Address inborn susceptibility.

 2. Stimulate the healing power of nature.

 3. Tonify and nourish weakened systems.

 4. Correct deficiencies in structural integrity.

 5. Prescribe specific substances and modalities for specific conditions and biochemical pathways (e.g., botanicals, nutrients, acupuncture, homeopathy, hydrotherapy, counseling).

 6. Prescribe pharmaceutical substances.

 7. Use radiation, chemotherapy, and surgery (Micozzi, 2018).

Be well!

References:

Micozzi, M. S. (2018). Fundamentals of complementary and alternative medicine (6th ed.). Philadelphia: Saunders.

https://www.hoosiernaturopath.org/blog/taking-steps-two-at-a-time

Diamond, W. John. The Clinical Practice of Complementary, Alternative, and Western Medicine. CRC Press, 2001

Millstine By Denise Millstine, Denise. “Naturopathy – Special Subjects.” Merck Manuals Consumer Version, Merck Manuals, Feb. 2019, www.merckmanuals.com/home/special-subjects/integrative-complementary-and-alternative-medicine/naturopathy.

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I write often about topics that affect our health and well-being. Additionally, I teach and offer lecture about qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, and yoga.

For more info, contact Jim Moltzan at info@mindandbodyexercises.com, 407-234-0119 or through my site at http://www.mindandbodyexercises.com

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