CAM Lecture Notes

Jonathan Troop

Purdue University Global

HW499

Session 1 – 09 April 2022 @ 10:00 ~ 90 minutes

Introduction/Brief Biography

Personal History with Chiropractic Medicine

What is Chiropractic Medicine?

 “Chiropractic is a health care profession that focuses on disorders of the musculoskeletal system and

the nervous system, and the effects of these disorders on general health” (ACA, n.d.).

 Originates from Greek language meaning ”done by hand”, places emphasis on the body’s overall

health directly correlating with proper alignment of the skeletal system (Turner & Odle, 2015).

 Belief system reflects the concept that the body is best capable of healing itself when the spine and

skeletal system are in proper alignment.

 Has currently become one of the most popular therapies available and is widely practiced across the

nation.

 As a result of its growing popularity, many argue that Chiropractic care has become a mainstream

form of treatment and no longer falls under the category of complementary medicine.

History of the Modality

 Earliest roots can be traced back as far as 2700 B.C. E. (A Short History of Chiropractic Treatment,

2018).

o Ancient Chinese texts regarding the use of spinal manipulation for treatment of back pain.

 Modern Chiropractic was founded by D. D. Palmer in the 1890s and later developed by his son, B.J

(Homola, 2006).
 Vertebral Subluxation Theory: Bones in the spine that are out of position can and will potentially

interrupt the proper operation of the body’s nervous system, compromising the maintenance of

optimal health.

o This is further driven by the fact that body is composed of a series of complex systems that

each play a role in the health and success of one another.

 New form of treatment was met with a great deal of opposition.

o In fact, “Until the 1960s, it was not uncommon for chiropractors to be jailed and fined for

practicing without a license.”

How does Chiropractic medicine fit within the realms of Complementary/Integrative Medicine and

Holistic Wellness?

 “At it’s heart, chiropractic care seeks to provide healing from the inside out with non-invasive

methods and no chemicals. Through manual adjustments and supplemental therapies, chiropractic

care can reduce pain and inflammation throughout the body using only what the body already

possesses to heal” (Tuck Chiropractic, 2020).

 Treat the person, not the, this allows practitioners to open their focus beyond the condition

 Treatment(s) should be geared towards addressing the root problem, not just the symptoms

 Healing should take a team approach (2020)

Additional Resources: https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/chiropractic-in-depth

Session Conclusion

 Classroom Discussion/breakout groups where students discuss their personal experience and/or

exposure to Chiropractic Medicine.

 Questions?
Session 2 – 16 April 2022 @ 10:00 ~ 90 minutes

Philosophy and Tools Utilized in Chiropractic

 “The philosophy of chiropractic is built upon the constructs of vitalism, holism, conservatism,

naturalism and rationalism. It provides context for the application of science and art” (Palmer College

of Chiropractic, n.d.-b).

o Common Tools used within the modality:

 Chiropractic Tables - some examples such as a traction table for decompression

treatment or drop tables to provide extra force for alignment purposes.

 Activator Adjustment Tool - allow practitioner to realign vertebrae by sending a

small amount of force directly into the back

 Hot/Cold Treatment Therapies (Didulo, 2021) – reduce muscle tension

 Many others – exercise therapy equipment, x ray machines, therapeutic ultrasounds

Core Beliefs within Chiropractic

 Core beliefs within chiropractic

o Life is intelligent

o Well-being consists of multiple pillars: social, physical, and emotional.

o The nervous system plays a major role in the body’s self-regulating processes

 Therefore, an imbalance in spinal alignment will negatively affect this system and

ultimately jeopardize the health of the body as a whole

Modern applications of Chiropractic/What issues/discomforts/disorders are most commonly

addressed through Chiropractic medicine?

 Although the modality was primarily founded and used for the purpose of pain relief, it has proven to

be effective in aiding individuals in multiple additional ways as well (iMed, n.d.)

o Some of these benefits potentially include:

 Digestion Relief
  Consider posture and its role in our digestion.

 Improved Range of Motion

 Extremely important for those who struggle with conditions such as arthritis

or have dealt with injury in the past. Commonly used by athletes for

longevity of performance.

 Sleep Optimization

 Potentially reduce number of disturbances as a result of discomfort

throughout the night.

 Immune System Support

 As previously stated, the body consists of a combination of systems that each

aid in each other’s success or unfortunately sometimes failure, with

chiropractic care resolving issues within the nervous system, the immune

system can and will directly reflect this positive impact and potentially be

more capable of fighting off sickness.

 Direct Result of how chiropractic care can improve total body function and system

support.

 What audience finds the most aid and relief in modern Chiropractic practices?

o In many cases, most people may only relate this form of treatment to topics such as back pain

relief or discomfort, however it can potentially prove to be an effective treatment for a variety

of other conditions and medical concerns.

Session Conclusion

 Classroom Discussion/breakout groups where students discuss areas in their own lives where they see

potential benefits of applying Chiropractic.

 Questions?
Session 3 – 23 April 2022 @ 10:00

In what capacities can Chiropractic medicine play a role in the following (open discussion):

 Performance

 Wellbeing

 Physical Comfort

 Posture

 Mobility

 Longevity

What are the specific benefits/applications of Chiropractic for the modern athlete?

 “Chiropractic care is one of many forms of natural health care, specifically a non-invasive, drug-free
alternative that can help patients find relief from a variety of musculoskeletal issues. Athletes in

particular, can greatly benefit from chiropractic treatments both before and after they practice and

perform” (Nuhs Team, n.d.)

o Many professional athletes and their organizations actively apply chiropractic into their

training and recovery protocols.

 Importance of Chiropractic for Athletes

o Range of Motion improvement

o Pain Reduction

o Potential to result in the requirement of fewer prescription drugs used

o The treatment is completely non-invasive and safe (n.d.)

 Benefits for Athletes (open discussion on specifics for military/law enforcement athletes)

o Decrease in Recovery Times

o Aiding athletes in repairing after injury

o Aid in the pursuit and achievement of optimal and holistic wellness

o Relationship and understanding shared with specific Chiropractic doctor (n.d.)

Session Conclusion

 Questions?

Additional Resources

 https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/spinal-manipulation-what-you-need-to-know

 https://blog.nuhs.edu/the-future-of-integrative-health/chiropractic-medicine-for-

athletes#:~:text=Chiropractic%20treatment%20leads%20to%20improved%20range%20of

%20motion.&text=Because%20of%20this%2C%20an%20athlete,inhibiting%20their%20overall

%20athletic%20performance.
 References

5 Benefits of Chiropractic Care Even if You’re Not in Pain. (n.d.). [Image].

https://www.imedregeneration.com/blog/5-benefits-of-chiropractic-care-even-if-youre-not-in-

pain

ACA. (n.d.). Key Facts. American Chiropractic Association. Retrieved August 1, 2021, from

https://www.acatoday.org/News-Publications/Newsroom/Key-Facts

Activator Tool. (2020, February). [Image]. https://santaclaracustomchiro.com/2020/02/08/what-is-an-

activator-used-by-chiropractors/

Angus, K., Asgharifar, S., & Gleberzon, B. (2015). What effect does chiropractic treatment have on

gastrointestinal (GI) disorders: a narrative review of the literature. Journal of the Canadian

Chiropractic Association, 59(2), 122–133.

Chiropractic and Gut Health. (2020, February 7). [Image]. http://www.atlanticchirofl.com/blog/172877-

chiropractic-and-gut-health

Didulo, M. (2021, April 28). The 20 Most Popular Chiropractic Equipment and Tools. Chirotouch.

https://www.chirotouch.com/resources/article/the-20-most-popular-chiropractic-equipment/

Homola, S. (2006, March). Chiropractic: history and overview of theories and methods. PubMed.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16446588/

iMed. (n.d.). 5 Benefits of Chiropractic Care Even If You’re Not in Pain: iMed Regeneration Center:

Integrative Medical Clinics. IMed Regeneration. Retrieved August 3, 2021, from

https://www.imedregeneration.com/blog/5-benefits-of-chiropractic-care-even-if-youre-not-in-

pain

Nuhs Team. (n.d.). Everything You Need to Know About Chiropractic Medicine for Athletes.

Nuhs.Edu. Retrieved April 6, 2022, from https://blog.nuhs.edu/the-future-of-integrative-

health/chiropractic-medicine-for-athletes#:%7E:text=Chiropractic%20treatment%20leads
 %20to%20improved%20range%20of%20motion.&text=Because%20of%20this%2C

%20an%20athlete,inhibiting%20their%20overall%20athletic%20performance.

Palmer College of Chiropractic. (n.d.-a). D.D. Palmer [Image].

https://www.latimes.com/business/lazarus/la-fi-lazarus-chiropractic-quackery-20170630-

story.html

Palmer College of Chiropractic. (n.d.-b). Our Identity. Palmer.Edu. Retrieved August 1, 2021, from

https://www.palmer.edu/about-us/identity/

A Short History of Chiropractic Treatment. (2018, August 27). Chiropractor Columbus Indiana

Tuck Chiropractic. (2020, May 29). How Does Chiropractic Care Fit Into Holistic Wellness?

Retrieved April 7, 2022, from https://tuckclinic.com/blog/2019/05/06/how-does-

chiropractic-care-fit-into-holistic-wellness/