“Chiropractic” comes from the Greek word Chiropraktikos, meaning “effective treatment by hand,”

and is a health care profession that often uses manual manipulation to treat disorders of the musculoskeletal system and the nervous system, and the effects of these disorders on general health.

Doctors of Chiropractic, also referred to as chiropractors, practice a drug-free, hands-on approach to health care that includes patient examination, diagnosis and treatment. Chiropractors have broad diagnostic skills, and use the same time-honored methods of consultation, case history, physical examination, laboratory analysis and x-ray examination as any other doctor. In addition, they provide a careful chiropractic structural examination, paying particular attention to the spine. This examination is part of what makes chiropractic different from other health care professions.

Chiropractic also places an emphasis on nutritional and exercise programs, wellness and lifestyle modifications for promoting physical and mental health. Doctors of Chiropractic turn to therapeutic and rehabilitative exercises as their first methods of treatment, but may refer patients for medical care when further interventions are necessary.