The many faces of chiropractic, and the lowest common denominator

Chiropractic: The Core of My Practice

When writing about my profession, there's always this obligatory milestone: the foundation of all my therapeutic decisions and patient care. In essence, what is chiropractic? What does it do and why?

As a second-generation chiropractor, at least one of my parents practiced this profession that perpetually seems to require definition. In my case, it was both of them, along with my godfather, my twin godfather, and many family friends who visited us in the beautiful French Alps.

Even still, defining this profession remains challenging without intentionally excluding some of the chiropractors who practice it with their full knowledge and dedication. How many times have I heard, "Oh! You don't do the same thing as my usual chiropractor! He does this, and you do that!"

Some chiropractors use a gentle touch, while others target trigger points with strong pressure. Some perform adjustments with a cracking sound, while others avoid physical contact altogether. Techniques range from acupuncture and fascial scraping with metal tools to joint manipulation with instrument-assisted adjustments and drop tables. Some chiropractors focus on exercise, meditation, and breathing exercises, while others delve into a patient's childhood experiences or perform individual muscle testing.

So, what exactly are chiropractors?

I don't believe there's a single perfect definition of chiropractic. However, the explanation that resonates most with me is that a chiropractor is someone who helps address health issues without resorting to surgery or medication.

At its core, the chiropractic profession believes that you possess the inherent tools to heal from your ailments. The chiropractor's role is to assist you in utilizing these tools for complete healing and function. This aligns with the chiropractic profession's motto of "healing within."

Finally, as a tribute to one of chiropractic's founders, B.J. Palmer, this short quote captures the essence: "Healing is an inside job." Everything else is simply an elaboration.