What Is Chiropractic?

By Dr. Pete Gay
Kennebunk, Maine 

The term "Chiropractic" comes from the Greek words "cheiro and praktikos" meaning "done by hand." Chiropractic care is centered on the philosophy that the human body has the ability to heal itself when it is given the right opportunity and circumstances.

The chiropractic profession is the most popular natural health care choice in the United States.  Chiropractic healthcare is a branch of the healing arts that offers the public a natural drugless approach to improving the health and function of the human body.

Chiropractic care is based on the scientific fact that the nervous system controls and coordinates the function of every cell, tissue, and organ in the body.

Interference to the nervous system causes the body to malfunction and develop symptoms.  The spine, when unhealthy, is the most common structural cause of interference to the nervous system.  This is called a vertebral (spinal) subluxation.

When you have subluxations in your spine, the spinal bones cause an interference to your nervous system.  Chiropractors locate the areas of the spine that are subluxated and perform adjustments to correct the subluxations and remove the interference to the nervous system.

What makes chiropractic care different is the approach to your health problem.  As a chiropractor, I am trying to help your body heal itself and improve the overall health of your body. I am not trying to merely cover up your symptoms.

My approach to your health is to help you heal the cause of your health problems, improve your overall health, and then work to keep you as healthy as possible for the rest of your life.