Chiropractic is a gentle, drugless way of dealing with aches and pain.

Dr Daniel Palmer, a Canadian-born teacher and healer, performed the first recorded chiropractic adjustment in September 1895

Chiropractic is the fastest-growing and second-largest primary health care profession.

There are more than 60,000 doctors of chiropractic (DCs) in active practice in the United States. The profession also continues to grow outside the US.

Tens of millions of Americans routinely opt for chiropractic services and this number is rapidly growing.

Chiropractic is an important arm of traditional, alternative and complementary medicine. Indeed, it is the second most practised system after modern medicine.

It is derived from two Greek words. Chiros which means “hand” and praktikos which roughly translates into “concerned with action”. The system of healing focuses on diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mechanical disorders of the musculoskeletal system and the effects of these disorders on the functions of the nervous system and general health.

Chiropractic treatment emphasises manual therapy mainly on spinal adjustment.

It also involves other joint and soft-tissue manipulation.

Traditionally, it is based on the premise that a “vertebral subluxation” or in simple English, spinal joint dysfunction can interfere with the nervous system and result in many different conditions of diminished health.

Chiropractors are known as Doctors of Chiropractic or chiropractic doctors/physicians.

A chiropractor can develop and carry out a comprehensive treatment/ management plan which can include spinal adjustments, soft tissue therapy, prescription of exercises and health and lifestyle counseling.

Doctors of Chiropractic comprise the second largest health care profession with over 50,000 practitioners in the US. They earn the title “Doctor” just like medical doctors, doctors of osteopathy, and dentists.

The educational process leading to the title Doctor of Chiropractic is quite similar to that of a medical doctor.

In order to earn a Doctor of Chiropractic degree, a student must complete several years of pre-chiropractic studies at a college or university, followed by five academic years of chiropractic education (totalling a minimum of seven years of study).

The chiropractic student’s last year is spent in a clinical internship (similar to that of a medical doctor). Upon graduation, a National Board Exam and state licensing exam must be passed in order to practise.

Unlike other traditional systems, it is quite modern and can be traced to a founder. The first recorded Chiropractic adjustment was performed on September 1895, by Dr Daniel Palmer, a Canadian-born teacher and healer. Palmer was, at the time, studying the cause and effect of disease.

His patient was Harvey Lillard, a janitor working in the same building as Dr Palmer in Davenport, Iowa. Lillard, who had complained of hearing problems for over 17 years, allowed Dr Palmer to examine his spine. Dr Palmer discovered a “lump” on Lillard’s back, and suspected that a vertebra might be out of alignment. He carefully repositioned the vertebra with a gentle thrust. After several treatments, much of Lillard’s hearing was was restored. Quite literally, the profession of chiropractic was born.

Since Dr Palmer’s first chiropractic adjustment, the art and science of chiropractic has progressed significantly.

Today, advanced diagnostic procedures, sophisticated equipment, scientific research, and the growing acceptance among health care professionals makes chiropractic a popular health choice. It is now practised in more than 100 countr ies.

However, elements of the chiropractic techniques have been around for a long time.

The most common modality in chiropractic care — medicinal use of spinal manipulation which can be traced back to over 3000 year s.

Indeed, Malaysia has seen quite a jump in chiropractic practitioners in the last decade. While the number of chiropractors is growing, there are some concerns on the quality and background of these professionals.

The Malaysian Ministry of Health is in the process of getting a proper inventory of these professionals to make sure that the public gets the best care possible.

Datuk Dr Rajen M. is a pharmacist with a doctorate in holistic medicine