Chiropractic
From Davenport, USA
to Hamburg, Germany
The origin of chiropractic
In 1895 Daniel David Palmer invented chiropractic and in 1897 he founded what is still the world’s leading chiropractic university. The Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa. From there, chiropractic has proven itself over the years as one of the most important and effective healing professions in the world, as explained for example in the “Manga Report” (10), and first gained a foothold in Germany in 1925. There are now more than 100,000 chiropractors working worldwide.
In the further development of chiropractic, terms such as “subluxation” and “adjustment” were defined over the years and their principles investigated in order to understand how chiropractic works. (12,13,14)
Through this research, it gradually became clear that chiropractic not only affects a specific vertebra and its nerve root, but also has a major influence on the brain and thus the entire nervous system. With the help of these findings, chiropractic has proven to be a treatment method with a very wide range of effects. (15)
Put simply, there are isolated vertebrae in the spine that do not function optimally in terms of movement due to external influences, a so-called vertebral subluxation with restriction. This vertebra and especially its restriction cause inflammation in the area, as well as a reduction in optimal communication between the body and the brain. This inflammation, as well as the reduction in optimal communication between the body and brain, is then reflected in symptoms such as pain and organic dysfunctions. The chiropractor finds this subluxation and corrects it with a quick impulse in a specific direction to gradually reduce the blockage of the vertebra and enable optimal communication between the brain and body.
There are more than 100,000 chiropractors worldwide, in Denmark alone there is one chiropractor for every 9,000 inhabitants and in the USA there is even one for every 5,000 inhabitants. In comparison, there is only about one chiropractor for every 450,000 inhabitants in Germany. These chiropractors are part of the German Chiropractors Association.
Chiropractic – the research & the future
Chiropractic began with a great deal of biomechanical and neurological understanding, which was combined with some very progressive ideas. After countless results that could hardly be explained at the time, an urge arose to further detail this understanding and to record the results in studies. This urge has not subsided to this day. Haavik Research, an institute founded in New Zealand, is currently regarded as the leading team for research relevant to chiropractic. Not only are clinical studies developed from here, but the “how” behind the results is also researched.
Nowadays, the health authorities of countries such as the USA and Canada are also interested in clinical research with regard to effectiveness, costs and safety. In 1994, for example, the US Agency for Health Care Policy and Research conducted a meta-analysis on the treatment of lower back pain and showed that by far the best results for general lower back pain can be achieved through a combination of chiropractic and strengthening exercises. This meta-analysis then led to the introduction of guidelines that not only recommend chiropractic in combination with strengthening, but also explicitly advise against cortisone injections under CT, stretching and strong medication.
The US Department of Health and Human Services, through the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research (AHCPR), issued guidelines for the treatment of acute low back pain in 1994. A meta-analysis of the medical and chiropractic research literature was carried out for this purpose. The result: chiropractic and gymnastic exercises / strength training are practically the only things that have a truly demonstrable positive effect on such problems.
Canada also published the Manga Report in 1993, which remains one of the most complete analyses of chiropractic and lumbar pain. In the report, chiropractic is not only seen as the most financially effective treatment, but also as the safest method of treating lower back pain. (16)
Further studies for specific symptoms can be found directly under the respective symptoms.
Chiropractor –
I do not know what it is
A chiropractor should not be confused with a chiropractor or chiropractic therapist.
In the USA, as in about 68 other countries around the world, there are special chiropractor laws that only allow chiropractors to practice after completing a 5-year chiropractic study program.
A chiropractor has completed a 5-year university degree
An adjustment of the spine by the chiropractor is applied to a single vertebra with great precision using a small lever
If a small lever is applied to a blocked vertebra, after prior identification of this vertebral body, there is no risk of instability or dislocation of the spine
A chiropraktiker is an alternative practitioner who has attended weekend chiropractic courses
A chirotherapeut is a doctor who has attended an 8-week chiropractic course
During a chiropractic adjustment with a chirotherapeut or chiropraktiker, pressure is typically applied to several vertebrae at the same time using a large lever
If a large lever is used and several joints "crack" at the same time, the spine becomes increasingly unstable over time
Who needs a chiropractor?
Everyone, whether baby, toddler, teenager, adult or pensioner needs a chiropractor to be as healthy, active, fit & mobile and above all pain-free as possible.
Chiropractic is as important for athletes as the training itself
There are numerous studies that prove that chiropractic improves performance
Chiropractic is part of a healthy lifestyle
as well as healthy food, exercise and sufficient sleep and rest
Chiropractic also helps when the orthopedist says I have to live with it
For example, you have to live with osteoarthritis, but by no means with the pain
Chiropractic often helps, even if the surgeon says that surgery is the only solution
The majority of patients with slipped discs can be helped with chiropractic without surgery. Knee, shoulder and hip operations can also often be delayed or avoided with chiropractic care
Make an appointment
+49 (0) 40 461420
Telephone times
Monday – Thursday – 8:00-13:00 & 14:00-18:00
Friday – 08:00-17:00
Saturday & Sunday – closed