WELCOME TO FOUR PERSPECTIVES OF CHIROPRACTIC
A PERSONAL PERSPECTIVE OF CHIROPRACTIC
About 1960, after an auto accident I was left with long term symptoms, some of which could be masked by prescribed drugs. Because drugs had threatening side effects, and would not correct the cause of the symptoms, I eventually consulted a chiropractor.
The signature role of a chiropractor is to locate and adjust subluxations which are sites of interference with communications between the brain and cells of the body. The chiropractor located my subluxations. He suggessted that by adjusting the subluxation the interference of my communication system would clear up and my symptoms would subside. That was what happened.
That experience motivated me to investigate the education of chiropractors in the USA. Palmer College of Chiropractic provided a course that was roughly equivalent in class contact hours to some of the undergraduate courses in Medicine. Palmer's curriculum prepared students to take the State basic science examinations for graduating medical and chiropractic students. I passed my basic science in Iowa which was regarded as being the gold standard for those examinations.
A chiropractic career allowed me to observe how thousands of patients responded when the interference to the communication system between their brain and the cells of their body was removed. I regard living with interference to the communication system, a sublaxated lifestyle, as about as sensible as listening to static on a radio or viewing TV through snow. The constrast that patients feel when they have had their subluxations adjusted makes staying in adjustment well worth while. Hence, I recommend lifelong, regular, ongoing chiropractic care.
A WEST AUSTRALIAN PERSPECTIVE OF CHIROPRACTIC
In the 1920's a Mr Smiley practised in Fremantle. In 1964, WA became the first state in Australia to register chiropractors. In our early days the only private health insurer that I can recall covering chiropractic was Gold Fields Medical benefits. Now they all seem to do so. State workers compensation, and auto accident insurance also cover chiropractic.
Murdoch university has a five-year (full-time) double degree course in chiropractic. At its conclusion, students will have fulfilled the requirements for two degrees, a Bachelor of Science (Chiropractic) degree (after completion of the first three years of study) and the Bachelor of Chiropractic degree (after completion of the final two years).
A NATIONAL PERSPECTIVE OF CHIROPRACTIC
In Australia, millions of individual patients have received chiropractic care. Insurers such as federal workers compensation, and Veterans' Affairs reimburse chiropractic. In July 2004 chiropractic gained 'Claytons' Medicare cover.
Three universities graduate chiropractors. Like most professionals, chiropractors are university level graduates. All Australian States and Territories register and license chiropractors to practise. Chiropractic related research is conducted under the supervision of the Australian Spinal Research Foundation.
A GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE OF CHIROPRACTIC
Chiropractic, the third largest primary health care profession in the western world, is used by millions of patients. Chiropractic is available in 80 of the world's 128 separate countries. As 2/3rds of humanity are yet to gain the privilege of access to chiropractic care, existing in a subluxated state may be common to the human condition.