Let’s Assess the Whole Picture!
In 1895, D. D. Palmer was operating out of his clinic and made the choice to examine a janitor working in his building named Harvey Lillard. Mr. Lillard had lost his hearing after falling down a flight of stairs a year earlier. Dr. Palmer was intrigued by the events of the fall and Harvey’s loss of hearing. In examining Mr. Lillard, Palmer felt a suspicious area in Harvey’s upper back. He determined that the 4th thoracic vertebra was malpositioned and devised a method to replace its positioning with his hands. This procedure resulted in the restoration of Mr. Lillard’s hearing, and the development of theories regarding what Palmer called Chiropractic. In Greek, Chiro meaning hand and prassein meaning to do. So, “To Do With Hands”.
Throughout the last 100 plus years, much has been learned about the intimate relationship of the spine and nervous system. The bone structure of the spine and cranium with its muscular and connective tissues protect the nervous system, but also provide tremendous amounts of input that allow the nervous system to optimally adapt to the environment. As these structures relate well, movement is optimized, and the nervous system is fueled to regulate other systems in power and harmony. This adds to the central role of the nervous system to regulate, control, and to be safe. Many of these supportive tissues hold the guarded states of protection when our systems have not let go and come out of a triggered alarm. These alarm states exist due to perceived threat/injury and prevent the nervous system from restoring to healing and rebuilding mode, or at least make it struggle to do so. Many of these perceived threats are based on the programming of our minds as well as unresolved emotional hurts. As our nervous system experiences ease, it effortlessly rights and balances our body.
Occasionally, we are exposed to chemicals that our body perceives as toxic. If our nervous system does not coordinate the rapid neutralization and removal of the toxic chemical, we suffer feelings of sickness, fever, and agitation/fatigue. These are all ways that our bodies are attempting to deal with something that it is in conflict with them. The big idea of Chiropractic is to remove things that are affecting your nervous system in a way that’s keeping it from optimizing your relationship with your environment. Facilitating it to be stronger through encouragement and new concepts are also a part of this process.
"Chiropractic is the science of applied neurophysiologic diagnosis based on the theory that health and disease are life processes related to the function of the nervous system: irritation of the nervous system by mechanical, chemical, or psychic factors is the cause of disease; restoration and maintenance of health depend on normal function of the nervous system. Diagnosis is the identification of these noxious irritants and treatment is their removal by the most conservative method."
-Dorland’s Illustrated Medical Dictionary 27th Edition
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has evolved over thousands of years. TCM practitioners use various mind/body practices (such as acupuncture, tai chi, qi gong, and meditation) as well as herbal medicines to address health problems. We use principles to determine if certain imbalances are hindering health. We look to see if there are excessive factors of heat, cold, dampness, or dryness in a person’s body that may point to imbalances fueled by dietary or lifestyle issues. Along with our manual techniques, we also use acupuncture to assist with the free flow of communication within the channels of the body. As the body is balanced coupled with free flow of qi (bio-electricity and signaling gases) and blood, health expresses.
Osteopathy was developed by Dr. A. T. Still in the late 1800’s. He was a surgeon in the American Civil War. He felt that some of the basic medical practices of his day were dangerous and ineffective and so developed the theories of Osteopathy. Greek osteon meaning bone and pathos meaning suffering. Many of his ideas were similar to D.D. Palmer’s Chiropractic in that they both agreed that skeletal structure issues caused problems in the body. Dr. Still was known as the “Lightening Bonesetter” and had a reputation for the ability to treat many conditions from dysentery to back problems affecting the sciatic nerve.
There were Chiropractors that became Osteopaths, and Osteopaths that became Chiropractors. Dr. Palmer developed his theories around skeletal structure issues affecting nerve function, and Dr. Still developed his theories around skeletal structure issues affecting vascular function. As a matter of fact, here’s a quote from Dr. Still (and it is one of the reasons we implement some of these principles in our clinical care): “THE RULE OF THE ARTERY IS SUPREME”. It is vital to understand that nutrients are supplied to cells for repair and regeneration through the vascular system. It is also super important to understand that in order for that fresh supply to get there, all of the old waste materials must be removed first. This is why drainage of those tissues by the lymphatic system and venous system need to be optimized.
Throughout the years, several pieces of the puzzle have linked the two professions. These are the functions of cranial bones, fascia, and the autonomic nervous system. You can find more information here that supports the integrative philosophy. We use gentle manual techniques that free up tissues that allow for healthy lymphatic and vascular flow. Sometimes this involves working with the visceral structures of the body as well as structures within the cranium (skull), thoracic inlet, respiratory diaphragm, and pelvic diaphragm.
“Osteopathy is a system of medical practice based on a theory that diseases are due chiefly to loss of structural integrity which can be restored by manipulation of the parts supplemented by therapeutic measures...”
-Merriam Webster's Medical Dictionary
