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WHAT IS CHIROPRACTIC?

Chiropractic is the second-largest healing profession (next to allopathic) in the world. It is the study of problems of health and dis-ease primarily from a structural point of view, as structure relates to function and vitality of the nervous system.  Chiropractors adhere to the concept that the natural healing processes of the body cannot function normally unless the nervous system is in proper balance.  Balance depends, in part, on the correct alignment and functional flexibility of the vertebrae and associated nerve centers. 

 

Only after a condition is properly diagnosed as appropriate for Chiropractic management, will the Doctor of Chiropractic enter into treatment.  Care usually involves correction of segments in the skeletal system that are misaligned or restricted in function or position and effecting the nervous system. Chiropractors refer to such segments as Subluxations, and their corrections are Chiropractic Adjustments. Chiropractors usually adjust the spinal column and pelvic areas, though most are proficient at adjusting extremities, and most have healing practices best supportive to a broad scope of wellness and vitality.

 

ARE DOCTORS OF CHIROPRACTIC TRAINED TO DIAGNOSE?

 

Yes.  Doctors of Chiropractic are both qualified and recognized as having the right and obligation to render a diagnostic opinion prior to initiating treatment, as they are primary health practitioners. 

A Doctor of Chiropractic's diagnostic training begins with at least two years of under-graduate work in the biological sciences, as required for admission by all accredited colleges of Chiropractic.  During the next four years, he or she will take an average of 1,840 hours of science requirements, including anatomy, physiology, inorganic and organic chemistry, pathology, hygiene, and public health.  The curriculum also features an average of 2,080 hours of clinical sciences, such as physical, clinical, laboratory and differential diagnosis; radiology (x-ray,) technique and interpretation; geriatrics; dermatology; and Principles of Chiropractic.  Additionally, students complete 550 hours of internship in a clinic environment.  The training is completed with courses in ethics, law, and economics.

The Chiropractic Doctor must pass two sets of National Board examinations covering the entire curriculum, and after graduating, to become licensed, they must pass a State Board Examination which includes written and practical tests covering basic science and clinical subjects.  All sections of the State Board's practical portion and 75% of the written must be passed to qualify for state licensure.

The California Board of Chiropractic Examiners is a Governor-appointed, seven-member regulatory body, requiring Doctors of Chiropractic to complete 24 hours of annual post-graduate study for license renewal including ethics & law, Chiropractic adjusting techniques, physical examinaton prodedures, and other clinical, diagnostic, and therapeutic curriculum.

 

Copyright- California Chiropractic Association

Dr. Deborah Murphy -  Ojai Chiropractor & Neurofeedback

111 W Topa Topa St Ste 3 Ojai, CA 93023

CHIROPRACTORS

&

THE MEDICAL COMMUNITY

The medical community and Chiropractic have experienced a  significant growth in developing professional relationships, mutual respect, and inter referrals since 1980, when the American Medical Association finally revised its rules permitting Medical Doctors (M.D.s) to refer cases to Chiropractic Doctors (D.C.s), and opening the way to closer working relationships.  While this was their first official recognition of Chiropractic, many M.D.s had already established close professional relationships with Chiropractors over the years. 

 

In California, numerous Doctors of Chiropractic serve as members of medical boards, such as the Board of Medical Quality Assurance.  The medical community lacks training regarding Chiropractic, philosophy or effectiveness, so their knowledge base regarding Chiropractic is often misinformed and based on hearsay.  Most are not privy to witness the often miraculous benefits of Chiropractic Care, nonetheless, the benefits of Chiropractic care well substantiated researched, and the preventative educational component of Chiropractic is unparalleled for empowering patients to be active participants in their own health care and healing.  

 

Chiropractic is officially recognized, acknowledged, or regulated in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, nine provinces of Canada, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, West Germany, South Africa, New Zealand, Bolivia, France, Italy, Japan and other countries.

                                                             

Copyright- California Chiropractic Association

Dr. Deborah Murphy -  Ojai Chiropractor & Neurofeedback

111 W Topa Topa St Ste 3 Ojai, CA 93023

HISTORY OF CHIROPRACTIC

 

The Chiropractic approach to healing dates back

to Hippocrates, who said,

 

"It is most necessary to know the nature of the spine,

what its natural purposes are, for such a knowledge will be requisite for many diseases."         

 

Dr. Daniel David Palmer was the father of modern Chiropractic, utilizing the manipulative technique in 1895.

His son B.J. Palmer was Chiropractic's greatest advocate. Today, there are over 50,000 doctors of chiropractic, serving millions of patients.

A study from a few years ago estimated that the number of Doctors of Chiropractic will double by the year 2010 (to over 100,000), far exceeding the 16 percent increase projected for medical doctors. Thus, it appears that Doctors of Chiropractic will represent a substantially larger proportion of health care professionals in the coming years. (AHCPR Publication No. 98-N002, December 1997)

The proportion of the United States population that uses Chiropractors and the number of Chiropractor visits per capita have approximately doubled in the past 15-20 years. (AHCPR Publication No. 98-N002, December 1997)

According to a study published in the November 11, 1998 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association, approximately 11 percent of the population visited a Doctor of Chiropractic in 1997. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, today there are approximately 273 million people in the country. This translates into approximately 30 million patients who visited a Chiropractor in 1997.

Chiropractic is the third largest doctoral-level health care profession after medicine and dentistry.

 

Copyright- California Chiropractic Association

Dr. Deborah Murphy -  Ojai Chiropractor & Neurofeedback

111 W Topa Topa St Ste 3 Ojai, CA 93023

Chiropractic and Olympic Athletes 

Chiropractor & US Olympic Coach- Dr Terry Schroeder

provided by California Chiropractic Assn.

ARE CHIROPRACTORS DOCTORS?

 

Yes!  Board-qualified and licensed Chiropractic Practitioners are entitled by law to the title "Doctor of Chiropractic" (D.C.).  To become state licensed, the candidate must complete a minimum of six years of college study and clinic internship before entering into private practice.  As of 2017, the Council on Chiropractic Education [C.C.E.) accredits 15 Doctor of Chiropractic degree programs at 18 locations within the United States alone, including all three schools in California.  The C.C.E. is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and by the Council on Post secondary Accreditation, a private non-profit educational association.

 

Copyright- California Chiropractic Association

Dr. Deborah Murphy -  Ojai Chiropractor & Neurofeedback

111 W Topa Topa St Ste 3 Ojai, CA 93023

WHAT IS A DOCTOR OF CHIROPRACTIC'S EDUCATION?

 

As a primary care provider, the Doctor of Chiropractic has a high level of education and training in areas of diagnosis and clinical sciences. Recognition of this academic standing has come from both federal and state government.

 

California State Licensing requires 24 hours of annual Continuing Education in a diverse range of subjects like Chiropractic Techniques,Nutrition, General medicine, Sports Injuries, 

Diagnostics, Examinations, X-ray, Ethics and Law. 


The U.S. Department of Education has recognized the Council on Chiropractic Education (CCE) as the authorized accrediting agency assuring excellence in Chiropractic colleges since 1974. Before taking the Board of Chiropractic Examiners written and practical exams for California state licensure, the applicant must be a graduate from a Chiropractic college accredited by CCE. For admission to one of the accredited colleges, the student must have first successfully completed a minimum of two years of college courses in basic biosciences (pre-med. curriculum,) though most Doctor's of Chiropractic have also attained a Bachelor of Science degree.

During the four to five years of study in Chiropractic college, the candidate for the Doctor of Chiropractic degree will complete more than 4,400 hours in specific basic science and clinical subjects.

Bioscience =1,840 hrs.
Anatomy
Physiology
Inorganic Chemistry
Organic Chemistry
Pathology
Hygiene
Public Health
Nutrition
Dermatology

 

Clinical Science = 2,080 hrs
Physical Diagnosis
Clinical Diagno
sis
Laboratory Diagnosis
Differential Diagnosis
Roentgenology (X-Ray) Technique and Interpretation
Neurology
Geriatrics
Principles of Chiropractic

 

In addition to the above classroom and laboratory study, the doctor-candidate undergoes a 550-hour Clinical Internship. The education is completed with courses in ethics, law and economics.

A recent medical study indicated that Chiropractic Doctors might be better prepared academically than family physicians in areas of back pain management.  In a representative sample of family physicians, 42% said they felt "poorly trained to manage low-back pain when they first entered practice", while only 15% in a representative sample of Chiropractic doctors felt the same.

 Cherkin, MacCornack and Berg, "Managing Low Back Pain Care - A Comparison of the Beliefs and Behaviors of Family Physicians and Chiropractors", Western Journal of Medicine, October 1988; 149:475-480.

Copyright- California Chiropractic Association

Dr. Deborah Murphy -  Ojai Chiropractor & Neurofeedback

111 W Topa Topa St Ste 3 Ojai, CA 93023

D.D. Palmer 

Father of

Chiropractic

B.J. Palmer 

Chiropractic's Greatest Advocate

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