Chiropractic
A health care profession concerned with the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of
disorders of the neuromusculoskeletal system and the effects of these disorders on
general health. There is an emphasis on manual techniques, including joint adjustment
or manipulation, with a particular focus on subluxations. World Health Organisation 2008

Historical information
Although spinal manipulation dates back to Hippocrates and the ancient Greek
physicians , the discovery of chiropractic is attributed to D.D. Palmer in 1895, when after pushing hard on his ( hard of hearing) friend Harvey Lillard's upper spine. Lillard's hearing improved and Palmer thought he had discovered a cure for deafness, many deaf people came to Palmer to be treated, without sucess however he observed other positive changes in his patients health and surmised that their was a relationship between the spine and the nervous system and the vertebra were pressing on nerves. With modern imaging techniques we now know this is not the case unless in the rare occasions of a disc protrusion or advanced degeneration. However what we do now know is that spinal dysfunction (subluxation) interferes with nerve function and while Palmer's explanation was not correct his theory of nerve iritation affecting people health and wellbeing is now well documented

.
The first school for the training of chiropractors commencing in the United States
of America in Davenport, Iowa in 1897. Now there are over thirty colleges world wide with over 100,000 chiropractors in practice. Most Irish chiropractic studens train in UK colleges.

Anglo European College of Chiropractic

Glamorgan University

Palmer developed the chiropractic theory and method from a variety of sources,
including medical manipulation, bonesetting and osteopathy, as well as incorporating
unique aspects of his own design. The term “chiropractic”, derived from Greek roots to
mean “done by hand”,

Philosophy and basic theories of chiropractic
The concepts and principles that distinguish and differentiate the philosophy of
chiropractic from other health care professions are of major significance to most chiropractors and strongly influence their attitude and approach towards health care. A majority of practitioners within the profession would maintain that the philosophy of chiropractic includes, but is not limited to, concepts of holism, vitalism, naturalism, which traditionally has been very confusing for chiropractors never mind perspective patients.

The relationship between structure, especially the spine and musculoskeletal system, and function, especially as coordinated by the nervous system, is central to chiropractic and its approach to the restoration and preservation of health. It is hypothesized that significant neurophysiological consequences may occur as a result of mechanical spinal functional disturbances, described by chiropractors as subluxation and the vertebral subluxation complex .

Chiropractic practice emphasizes the conservative management of the neuromusculoskeletal system, without the use of medicines and surgery. Biopsychosocial causes and consequences are also significant factors in management of the patient. As primary contact health care practitioners, chiropractors recognize the importance of referring to other health care providers when it is in the best interests of the patient.

Unfortunatly there is not one single orgainisation speaking on behalf of the chiropractic profession. Instead of focusing on what chiropractors have in common, chiropractors seem to prefer focusing on their differences which has polarised the profession and confused members of the public seeking chiropractic care. For exampel in the UK the profession is made up of only about  2,500 chiropractors, yet there are four professional bodies representing them:

The British Chiropractic Association

The United Chiropractic Association

The Scottish Chiropractic Association

In the US there are four bodies representing factions of chiropractors:

The American Chiropractic Association

The International Chiropractic Association

The World Chiropractic Alliance

The National Association of Chiropractic Medicine.

The World Federation of Chiropractic and The European Chiropractic Union only recognise one association per country, which would seem like a good idea, unfortunatly this policy has only increased the mistrust between the factions and decreased the likelyhood of these chiropractic groups ever working together. There are only just over 100 chiropractors working in Ireland and at this time there is only one body representing them which is a good thing:

The Chiropractic Association of Ireland

Regulation
These schisms within chiropractic make regulation of a profession as diverse as chiropractic very complicated, Governments would prefer to speak to one organisation representing the entire profession. Therfore regulations for chiropractic practice vary considerably from country to country. In some countries, e.g. the United States of America, Canada and some European countries, The UK, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Belgium, Italy, Holland, chiropractic has been legally recognized and formal university degrees have been established. In these countries, the profession is regulated and the prescribed educational qualifications are generally consistent, satisfying the requirements of the respective accrediting agencies.

However, many countries like Ireland have not yet developed chiropractic education or established laws to regulate the qualified practice of chiropractic,this allows unqualified practitioners to use techniques of spinal manipulation and claim to provide chiropractic services, although they may not have received chiropractic training in an accredited programme or even the minimum educational requirements needed to protect patients. Our clinic Director Richard Lanigan DC also practices in the UK and was an elected member of the UK's regualtory body  the General Chiropractic Council until March 2008

The Chiropractor’s Goal

All your life you’ve had your teeth, eyes, hearing, blood pressure and heart checked…how many years has it been since you’ve had your spine check-up? Unfortunately, most of us have never had this done - and it shows! Most people’s spines are suffering from a lifetime of neglect!

Our goal in this clinic is to relieve you of the vertebral subluxation complex so your nerves, muscles, ligaments, joints, bones and internal bones may function better. The effects can be immediate or they may take time - it depends on many factors - age, diet, lifestyle, how healthy your spine is in the first place and regularity of chiropractic care. .Whatever disease or condition you have, you may benefit from a healthy spine.

Spinal care is as important for wellness as good nutrition. It can make the difference between a life of health, strength and vitality or a life of weakness and disability. A healthy spine will improve your life.So if you’re tired of being sick, tired of being told “you’ve just got to learn to live with it” and are looking for a natural method of regaining health and wholeness without polluting your body with chemicals, have your spine checked for subluxation dysfunction.