The Basics of Chiropractic Care

Many of the principles and forms of treatment that we use at PMR have existed for hundreds, if not thousands, of years, but the chiropractic field is a little bit younger than that. In fact, chiropractic medicine was essentially invented by one Iowan man, Daniel David Palmer, in 1895. His ideas about innate intelligence, the nervous system, subluxations, and manual spinal manipulation still form the basis of the majority of contemporary chiropractic treatments.

Of course, medicine, science, and chiropractic care have all made incredible advances in the last 130 years. As such, the treatments we use and emphasize at PMR don’t all resemble the ideas put forth by D. D. Palmer—or those practiced by ancient societies and Eastern medicine. Our specialists are influenced by many sources, from acupuncturists to massage therapists to chiropractors who work with the latest technology and equipment to perform their pain-relieving manipulations. We also work closely with physicians to develop complete and holistic treatment plans.

Still, our chiropractors are well versed in the historical roots of chiropractic medicine. Though our specialists, may not adhere strictly to all of D. D. Palmer’s original ideas, our team is well aware of these important roots—and of how they’ve influenced chiropractic care as it has evolved over the decades.

For more on the basics of chiropractic care, including its history, its most important principles, and its connection the holistic care we provide at PMR today, read on.

Innate Intelligence

What if the ability to heal is inside of us all of the time, and simply needs to be unlocked? Coined by Daniel David Palmer, the father of chiropractic, the concept of “innate intelligence” was further developed by his son, B. J. Palmer. Though the idea is less important in contemporary chiropractic care, it provides an interesting look into the basis of some of chiropractic medicine’s founding principles.

Essentially, innate intelligence describes a way in which human beings are born with an intelligence that’s already inside of them, and that drives the most important processes of the mind and body. For D. D. Palmer, this theory explained how human intelligence came about, but it was also an important link to the human body’s natural healing processes. Palmer believed that our innate intelligence—present from conception onward—allows us to heal ourselves, as long as there is no interference present.

Under this theory, because intelligence is derived from the brain, and carried across the body by the central nervous system, spinal misalignments (or subluxations) can lead to interference in our innate intelligence—and, by extension, will compromise our body’s ability to heal itself. Palmer developed chiropractic as a means of restoring our body’s connection to what he referred to as innate intelligence, thereby allowing the body to heal more naturally.

Everything Is Connected

One of the most important principles of chiropractic care is that every part of the body is connected. This ideas began with Palmer and have evolved up to the present day. Some of the connections are obvious and simple, such as the physical connection between the brain and spinal cord.

But others may not seem as cut and dry. Take for the example the connection we often see in our practice between headaches and lower back pain. Even though these complaints may not seem explicitly linked at first, the physical connections in the central nervous system tell our chiropractic specialists to dig deeper, investigating clues that might reveal a link between these different problems. As a result, our specialists can often use the same techniques to alleviate several symptoms and conditions all at the same time—sometimes even in the same visit!

The Nervous System

We’ve touched on it already, but the number one most important and powerful cause of bodily abnormalities, conditions, and complaints is located in one extremely important network—the body’s central nervous system. Just ask chiropractors from D. D. Palmer all the way to your present day specialists at PMR, and they’ll tell you how subluxations of the nervous system can lead to all manner of maladies.

Subluxations were considered the root of bodily problems in Palmer’s original theories, and we still treat them today. Spinal misalignment leads to many different conditions, but there’s good news: not only do these issues originate within the central nervous system, but they can be rooted out and solved there, as well.

The focus of chiropractic on the spine and nervous system is one of its more controversial aspects, but the proof is in the pudding. For well over a hundred years—longer than many modern techniques have existed—chiropractic specialists have enabled their patients to live healthier, happier, and pain-free lives using manipulation of the spine.

Holistic Care

We’ve talked a lot about chiropractic here—and in particular, the emphasis of chiropractic care on treating conditions that originate in the central nervous system through techniques involving spinal manipulation. But the philosophies behind chiropractic have always emphasized holistic care, making it a primary principle in the evolution of chiropractic. For that reason and others, we make holistic treatment a priority at PMR.

What does that mean for our patients? To begin with, it means that you’ll likely see more than one specialist as part of your treatment plan. After assessing and properly diagnosing your condition, we’ll introduce you to any and every specialist that can help you out—from chiropractors performing spinal manipulations to acupuncturists, massage therapists, even nutritionists. As we’ve mentioned, we’re also happy to work with your physician and specialists outside of our treatment centers. Our priority is to ensure your wellness and health, and we’ll leave no stone unturned in our search for lasting relief.

For more information, answers to your questions, or to make an appointment with one of our highly trained specialists, pick up the phone and give us a call at PMR today!