This article begins a new, monthly column by a local Chiropractor
who will discuss philosophy and treatments offered by her profession.
Extensive research is used to develop these articles, but readers
should always consult their own health care professionals before
embarking on any course of treatment.
All healthcare
professionals have the same goal - to help their patients either
maintain a healthy body or regain good health. The difference between
health professionals is their philosophy and methods used to achieve
this common purpose. Today, choices range from "Allopathic" Healthcare
(Treatment with remedies that produce effects differing from those of
the disease) to a large group of professionals who help patients in
other ways - so-called "Alternative" Healthcare including, but not
limited to Osteopathy, Homeopathy, Acupuncture, Herbal Medicine and
Chiropractic.
Allopathic medicine traces its roots back to the
5th Century, B.C. when a Greek physician, Hippocrates, put forth the
idea that nature healed all wounds and the physician was a modifier of
that natural healing. He believed that medications could produce a
counter effect to the symptoms of a disease - "opposite through
opposite."1 This practice of medicine, generally associated with the
label, M.D. (Medical Doctor), aspires to "treat disease and injury with
active interventions, such as medical and surgical treatments, intended
to bring about effects opposite of those produced by the disease or
injury."2
The idea of helping people to maintain good health and
recover from disease was not restricted to the Western world.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) dates back over 2500 years and can
be traced to the text of Nei Ching, The Yellow Emperor's Classic of
Internal Medicine." TCM is based on maintaining or restoring balance to
the body so it can function properly. A primary form of TCM therapy is
Acupuncture. Legend has it that physicians developed Acupuncture when
observing unpredicted effects of puncture wounds in Chinese soldiers.3
Additional
alternatives to Western medicine began to emerge in the 1800's.
Osteopathic medicine was founded Dr. Andrew Still, a surgeon in the
Civil War. After losing three children to Spinal Meningitis, he lost
faith in traditional medicine and altered his philosophy and treatment
to include the "whole person" rather than just a specific complaint.
Attention is given to prevention, wellness and helping the body to heal
on its own. Osteopathic practice (D.O.) bears many similarities to MD's
- both can prescribe drugs and perform surgery and may practice in a
specialty area.
Homeopathic medicine originated in the late
18th century. This practice was founded by a German physician, Samuel
Hahnemann, who was disturbed by the harmful effects of strong
medications. He considered the effect of Quinine on Malaria and
reasoned that a minute dose of a substance that produces ill effects
will be curative by stimulating the body to heal itself.
Chiropractic
(my chosen health field) was founded in 1895 by Daniel David Palmer. A
student of physiology and anatomy, he applied his knowledge of the
nervous system and manual therapies. Chiropractors believe in whole
body wellness and are concerned with the relationship of the spinal
column and musculoskeletal system to the nervous system. We believe the
nervous system is the key to the body's potential to heal itself. This
is the body's "communication" system and relays information throughout
the body and its organs. The spinal column protects this information
system. Any misalignment or distortion (called "subluxation") causing
abnormal pressure on the nerves distorts information from the brain to
a particular part of the body causing stress, disharmony, degeneration
and potential disease. These misalignments prevent the nervous system
from functioning properly at its optimum level.4
Many branches
of healthcare have evolved over time and have come to realize the
complexities and multiple factors of health and illness. Each
healthcare discipline addresses wellness in a different way and I will
address these in more depth over time. My column is designed for
educational purposes only. The information in this and subsequent
articles is not intended to replace the attention or advice of a
physician and/or health care professional.
Any person who wishes
to pursue a course and/or action to prevent, treat and/or manage their
or any other person's health concerns should always first consult a
qualified health professional. None of the information or statements
contained in this article is to be used in place of medical advice from
a health professional. Nothing in this article is meant to imply a
person should take actions toward any medical or chiropractic treatment
without the consent and/or supervision of his/her doctor and/or
specialist.
Staci Talan, D.C. has an office located in Fremont.
She is a graduate of Sacramento State University where she earned a
B.A. in Psychology. She continued her education at Life Chiropractic
College-West in Hayward where she earned a doctorate in Chiropractic.
She is a Certified Industrial Disability Evaluator and an active member
of the California Chiropractic Association.
- E.J. Mayeaux Jr., M.D., A History of Western Medicine and Surgery. Available at http://libsh.isumc.edu/fammed/...
- Douglas M. Anderson, M.A., Mosbys Medical, Nursing, and allied Health Dictionary, 6th ed. Mosby Inc. 2002
- Kristine Krapp & Jaqueline L. Longe, The Gale Encyclopedia of alternative Medicine. Gale Group 2001
- Deepak Chopak, M.D., Alternative Medicine, The Definitive Guide. Future Medicine Pub., Inc. Tiburon, CA 1997.