WHAT IS CHIROPRACTIC?

Dr. Zachary Stelmack

ABOUT ME: Dr. Stelmack

• born and raised in Burbank, IL

• received my Bachelor’s of Science in Biology and Pre-Med from Lewis University

• graduated from National University of Health Sciences as a Chiropractic Physician

• currently licensed in Illinois as a Chiropractic Physician and Acupuncturist

• college professor of anatomy and physiology at COD

8 years of College!

CHIROPRACTIC

The word ‘Chiropractic’ comes from the Greek words cheir (meaning ‘hand’) and praktos (meaning ‘done’), i.e. Done by Hand. The name was chosen by the developer of chiropractic, Daniel David Palmer.

The first chiropractic adjustment was done in September 1895.

http://www.acatoday.org/pdf/Chiro_History.pdf

Manual therapy in general has been around since 400 B.C.E.

J Man Manip Ther. 2007; 15(3): 165–174.

We are born with it programmed in us! Example: What is the first thing you do when you bump your shin??? (after yelling)

NEUROLOGY

CHIROPRACTIC

Chiropractic is a health care profession that focuses on:

-disorders of the musculoskeletal system 

-the nervous system

-the effects of these disorders on general health 

www.acatoday.org

"Chiropractic physician" means a person licensed to treat human ailments without the use of drugs and without operative surgery. Nothing in this Act shall be construed to prohibit a chiropractic physician from providing advice regarding the use of non prescription product(s) or from administering atmospheric oxygen. Nothing in this Act shall be construed to authorize a chiropractic physician to prescribe drugs.

A Doctor of Chiropractic is called a Chiropractic Physician

Illinois Scope of Practice:

www.ilchiro.org

SO… WHAT DOES THIS MEAN???

• we use more conservative, noninvasive techniques to treat many common problems and conditions

• focus is set on the person as a whole

• many problems we deal with, as patients, overlap

• we look for the root of the problem

• detailed history of the patient is taken because everything you encounter and take part in influences your health

EDUCATION

• typical schooling up through high school (pre-K-12)

• 4 year Bachelor’s Degree in Pre-Med, Biology, or Chemistry

• 4 years at a Medical School specialized for Chiropractic (can take up to 6 years)

• residency/internship is incorporated in your last year

• postgraduate degrees, residencies, fellowships, seminars, internships…etc.

• 60 hours of continuing education required every 3 years

• 22+ years of school!

CHIROPRACTIC MEDICAL SCHOOL

• 248.00 credit hours after already completing 122.00 credit hours of college

• over 2,400 hours of classes

• on average you are taking 30 credit hours every 15 weeks with 2 week breaks in between all year round for 4 years

• 30 credit hours = approximately anywhere from 11-14 classes at a time

• for a WHOLE YEAR we work in the anatomy lab with cadavers

TECHNIQUES LEARNED

• phlebotomy

• lab work

• chiropractic joint manipulative therapy

• massage

• physical exams (of all kinds)

• gynecological exams

• prostate exams

• rehabilitation/physical therapy protocols

• radiology

TESTING

• tests and practicals through out our education curriculum

• most of the time we would have on average of 12 tests or more a week 2-3x/ trimester

• Board Exams: Part I, Part II, Part III, Physical Therapy Board Exam, and Part IV

http://chiasuanchong.files.wordpress.com/2012/01/exam-sweat2.gif

SPECIALIZING

Diplomate Degrees of Specialty can be obtained for a number of areas:

• pediatrics

• neurology

• orthopedics

• pediatrics

• rehabilitation

• acupuncture

• sports medicine

M.D., D.O., D.C., WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE???

M.D. = Medical Doctor

D.O. = Doctor of Osteopathy

D.C. = Doctor of Chiropractic

M.D. – most common primary care provider, prescribes medications

D.O. – another very common primary care provider, more conservative, prescribes

medication

D.C. – considered primary care in Illinois, conservative, cannot prescribe medication

M.D., D.O., D.C., WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE???

Chiropractic Physicians: have over 240 MORE hours of anatomy, 166 MORE hours of orthopedics, and 295 MORE hours of clinical diagnosis in school than a Medical Doctor

Medical Doctors and Doctors of Osteopathy: have to complete a 1-3 year residency after college, have many hours of pharmacology courses, and 211 MORE hours of Pathology

www.yourmedicaldetective.com

WHAT IS OUR GOAL????

• to step back and view the WHOLE person

• there is always more to every story

• every person deserves a full examination because we are linked from head to toe

• to EDUCATE the public

• to answer questions maybe no one else has been able to

• to help people gain control of their health

• to show people the NECESSITY of taking care of your body

WHAT CAN THE CHIROPRACTOR DO???• pretty much everything you can get done at your primary care doctor

• EXCEPT we can NOT prescribe you medication

• physical exams

• pain management

• health and wellness check ups and advice

• nutritional guidance

• natural remedies for conditions/illnesses

• blood work and testing (not all doctors)

• x-rays

• rehabilitation therapy

• weight loss and diet

• exercise

• soft tissue therapy

• acupuncture (not all doctors)

SOME COMMON THINGS WE TREAT:• strains/sprains

• headaches

• disc issues

• arthritis

• chronic diseases

• autoimmune diseases

• stress

• vertigo

• chronic sinus infections

• obesity

• post-surgical rehab

• sports injuries

• plantar fasciitis

• frozen shoulder

• pediatric issues

• chronic pain

IS EVERY CHIROPRACTIC OFFICE THE SAME?

NO. Just like ever doctor has their own specialties, this applies to us too.

Some may specialize in certain areas and limit their office to that, some may be more broad.

There are different effective approaches to different conditions.

Depending on the patient, doctor’s will have different techniques based on their experience and expertise.

WHY SHOULD I GO TO THE CHIROPRACTOR?

• Would you go to the ear specialist for a foot infection?

• Would you go to your primary care doctor to get your teeth checked out?

• Chiropractic Physicians KNOW the human body well, it’s what we do!

• We catch things that a lot of doctors don’t because of our detailed physical exams

• Our physical appearance and conditions tell a lot about what’s going on internally

• Your body is the only one you have and you need to take care of it

• Some conditions can be treated very easily but if left alone can progress into far worse issues like disabilities

WILL I HAVE TO GO FOREVER??????

• this is a myth

• physical conditions are NOT like other illnesses

• we have to use our bodies on an everyday basis and some conditions take longer to treat because a lot of treatments are lifestyle changes

example: If you have had low back pain for 9 years due to improper body mechanics do you think that could be taken care of in one visit?

• a few visits to a chiropractic physician can decrease visits to other doctors later on

• Take care of your body and it won’t fall apart!

WILL MY INSURANCE COVER IT?

• yes and no

• not all insurance companies will cover everything

• some people do not have insurance and feel that this may be too costly

• your health is very important and if a few visits can turn your life around in a new direction this is a life changing improvement

• some people are confined by their physical conditions and are missing out on many of life’s events

HOW DO CHIROPRACTIC PHYSICIANS FEEL ABOUT MEDICATION?• there is a time and place for medications

• do not always FIX problems, but cover up the symptoms• which sometimes this is all that can be done

• medications cause side effects = more medications

• Example: pain medication

• being on medication for the rest of your life or even for short periods is VERY expensive when you add it up, finding out the cause of your problem and fixing it saves you more money than it costs

There are many conditions out there that are treated very well with medications and I am very thankful for this!

WHAT IS AN ADJUSTMENT?

• more specifically it is called chiropractic or joint manipulation therapy

• improper body mechanics or injury leads to improper range of motion or movement

• improper range of motion leads to adhesions and pain or discomfort

• the adjustment induces movement back to the joint for proper function

• the “pop” or noise you hear is gas being released from the tissue

• the adjustment allows for improved range of motion

• the adjustment creates a release of endorphins (your body’s natural pain relievers)

http://www.acatoday.org/pdf/Chiro_FAQ.pdf

J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 1986 Jun;9(2):115-23.

STAY CONSERVATIVE

• why jump ahead when the fix could be simple

• surgery is expensive and can lead to many problems down the line

• pain medication is expensive and very addicting which can lead to further complications

• antibiotics aren’t the answer for everything, support your immune system

• let’s not amputate the finger for a paper cut if there could be another solution

QUESTIONS???

RESOURCES

• www.acatoday.org

• www.ilchiro.org

• www.nuhs.edu

SOURCES

http://www.acatoday.org/pdf/Chiro_History.pdf

J Man Manip Ther. 2007; 15(3): 165–174.

http://chiasuanchong.files.wordpress.com/2012/01/exam-sweat2.gif

www.yourmedicaldetective.com

http://www.acatoday.org/pdf/Chiro_FAQ.pdf

J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 1986 Jun;9(2):115-23.