Chiropractic

 

What is Chiropractic:

 

Chiropractic is the third largest health care profession in the world after medicine and dentistry.

There are currently over 100, 000 chiropractors around the world with over 600 chiropractors currently practicing in South Africa.

Chiropractic is a natural and drug free approach to health and pain management.

 

Chiropractic Meaning

 

“Chiro” comes from the Greek word “kheir” which means “hand” and

“practic” from the Greek word “pracktikos” meaning practice.

 

 

Definition of Chiropractic

 

A health profession concerned with the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mechanical disorders of the musculoskeletal system, and the effects of these disorders on the function of the nervous system and general health. There is an emphasis on manual treatments including spinal adjustment and other joint and soft-tissue manipulation.

World Federation of Chiropractic, 2005

 

 

 

 

History of Chiropractic

Chiropractic was founded in the United States of America in 1895 by DD Palmer. Palmer created a chiropractic school which is still in operation to this day in Davenport, Iowa called The Palmer College of Chiropractic.

Palmer School of Chiropractic 1897

Chiropractic Education (SA)

Chiropractors in South Africa study for at least 6 yrs completing a Masters Degree in Technology in Chiropractic (Mtech: Chiropractic).The Chiropractic degree mirrors the medical degree for the first 3 yrs including education in the following areas: Anatomy, Biochemistry, Pathology, Biology, Physiology and Diagnostic techniques.

In the final 3 yrs chiropractic students education focuses more on the examination and diagnosis of conditions of the bone and spine including: orthopaedic examination, radiographic examination, diseases of the skeleton and bones and clinical application of Chiropractic techniques.

All chiropractic students in South Africa are required to complete a Masters Dissertation on a research topic of their choice before they can receive their degree.