|
Adjustment
or Manipulation?
Much discussion goes on in health care
circles as to what to call what chiropractors do.
Is the term manipulation or adjustment?
To answer this question lets first look in a Webster
Dictionary for some synonyms of each.
Manipulation: Exploit,
misuse, take advantage, control, deploy, maneuver, use, ply,
swing, wield, grope, examine, finger, fondle, handle, maul,
palpate, paw, probe, touch, govern, sway.
And for Adjustment: Factor, calculate, align,
center, regulate, convert, scale, tune, dial, select,
fine tune, finesse, modify, tweak, regulate, standardize,
conform, equalize, level, set
policy, alter, catalyze, change, refashion, calibrate, decide,
determine, establish, resolve, set,
compensate, make equal, redeem, remedy, correct, cure,
fix, heal, make well, repair, restore, coordinate, attune,
accommodate, conform,
harmonize, integrate, proportion, reconcile, tune, correct, amend,
fix, improve, mend, position, rectify, restore, right, straighten,
service, maintain, adapt, balance, fit, inspect, overhaul,
recondition, refurbish, regulate,
repair, support. In
looking at the two it is easy to see why chiropractors use the
term adjustment.
The International Chiropractors
Association has a policy on this subject that says it best; The
ICA holds that the chiropractic spinal adjustment is unique and
singular to the chiropractic profession. The chiropractic
adjustment shall be defined as a specific directional thrust that
sets a vertebra into motion with the intent to improve or correct
vertebral malposition or to improve its juxtaposition segmentally
in relationship to its articular mates thus reducing or correcting
the neuroforaminal / neural canal encroachment factors inherent in
the chiropractic vertebral subluxation complex.
The adjustment is characterized by a specific thrust applied to
the vertebra utilizing parts of the vertebra and contiguous
structures as levers to directionally correct articular
malposition. Adjustment shall be differentiated from spinal
manipulation in that the adjustment can only be applied to a
vertebral malposition with the express intent to improve or
correct the subluxation, whereas any joint, subluxated or not, may
be manipulated to mobilize the joint or to put the joint through
its range of motion.
Chiropractic is a specialized field in the healing arts, and by
prior rights, the spinal adjustment is distinct and singular to
the chiropractic profession.
|
