Acupuncture & Chiropractic
I’m asked almost on a daily basis if I "do acupuncture." As we see an increase in both the availability and popularity of the so-called alternative healing professions, questions like these will continue to arise. There’s a difference between acupuncture and chiropractic in both what they do and the education required to be able to practice them.
Chiropractic as a specific profession is defined by B.J. Palmer, the developer of chiropractic, as the following: "Chiropractic is a philosophy, science and art of things natural; a system of adjusting the segments of the spinal column by hand only, for the correction of the cause of dis-ease." There have been some changes as to what’s accepted as chiropractic today, but the basic definition is still justified.
Chiropractors’ main goal is to restore proper function of the nerves exiting the spine, thereby allowing the nerves to function at their maximum potential. When this is done properly, there can be amazing secondary results, including tense muscles relaxing, swelling of the involved area returning to its normal state, decrease in many aches and pains, increases in our body’s immune function, and increase in organ function.
Acupuncture is defined by the Web site, www.acupuncture.edu, as the following: "Acupuncture is the insertion of fine needles into the body at specific points shown as effective in the treatment of specific health problems. These points have been mapped by the Chinese over a period of 2000 years. Recently, electromagnetic research has confirmed their locations." In my opinions, this doesn’t truly define what acupuncture is. The site goes on to state, "According to ancient theory, acupuncture allows Qi (pronounced chi) to flow to areas where it is deficient and away from where it is excess. In this way, acupuncture regulates and restores the harmonious energetic balance of the body. In Chinese there is a saying, ’There is no pain if there is free flow; if there is pain, there is no free flow.’"
There truly is a difference between the two forms of healing. There are a few colleges that teach both chiropractic and acupuncture in separate courses. But they’re separate. Some chiropractors also treat patients using acupuncture, but they’ve had additional studies to be able to do this. Palmer College of Chiropractic, which is the oldest chiropractic college in existence, specifically states in their tenets that there’s a difference, stating the following: "The Palmer Chiropractic University System does not accept as appropriate certain practices or procedures as forms of chiropractic care. These include, but are not limited to…acupuncture."
Chiropractic and acupuncture have both helped millions of people with relief of specific problems and maintaining optimal health. I can’t make a stance on acupuncture as I haven’t studied it extensively. If you feel that either chiropractic care or acupuncture could benefit you in some way, contact your local provider. TPW
Chiropractic as a specific profession is defined by B.J. Palmer, the developer of chiropractic, as the following: "Chiropractic is a philosophy, science and art of things natural; a system of adjusting the segments of the spinal column by hand only, for the correction of the cause of dis-ease." There have been some changes as to what’s accepted as chiropractic today, but the basic definition is still justified.
Chiropractors’ main goal is to restore proper function of the nerves exiting the spine, thereby allowing the nerves to function at their maximum potential. When this is done properly, there can be amazing secondary results, including tense muscles relaxing, swelling of the involved area returning to its normal state, decrease in many aches and pains, increases in our body’s immune function, and increase in organ function.
Acupuncture is defined by the Web site, www.acupuncture.edu, as the following: "Acupuncture is the insertion of fine needles into the body at specific points shown as effective in the treatment of specific health problems. These points have been mapped by the Chinese over a period of 2000 years. Recently, electromagnetic research has confirmed their locations." In my opinions, this doesn’t truly define what acupuncture is. The site goes on to state, "According to ancient theory, acupuncture allows Qi (pronounced chi) to flow to areas where it is deficient and away from where it is excess. In this way, acupuncture regulates and restores the harmonious energetic balance of the body. In Chinese there is a saying, ’There is no pain if there is free flow; if there is pain, there is no free flow.’"
There truly is a difference between the two forms of healing. There are a few colleges that teach both chiropractic and acupuncture in separate courses. But they’re separate. Some chiropractors also treat patients using acupuncture, but they’ve had additional studies to be able to do this. Palmer College of Chiropractic, which is the oldest chiropractic college in existence, specifically states in their tenets that there’s a difference, stating the following: "The Palmer Chiropractic University System does not accept as appropriate certain practices or procedures as forms of chiropractic care. These include, but are not limited to…acupuncture."
Chiropractic and acupuncture have both helped millions of people with relief of specific problems and maintaining optimal health. I can’t make a stance on acupuncture as I haven’t studied it extensively. If you feel that either chiropractic care or acupuncture could benefit you in some way, contact your local provider. TPW