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Upstate
Chiropractic
22 E. Genesee St.
Baldwinsville, NY 13027
315-635-2333
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Chiropractic
is the fastest-growing and second-largest primary health care profession.
There are approximately 60,000 doctors of chiropractic (DCs) in
active practice in the United States spread from rural areas to
inner cities. More than 10,000 students are currently enrolled in
chiropractic educational programs accredited by a federally recognized
body (CCE).
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Dr. Mark adjusting
a patient. |
Chiropractic
services are in high demand.
Tens of millions of Americans routinely opt for chiropractic services
and this number is rapidly growing. In 1993, more than 30 million
consumers made chiropractic a regular part of their health care program.
Doctors of
Chiropractic receive extensive, demanding professional education
on par with medical doctors (MDs) and osteopaths (DOs).
To receive the
doctor of chiropractic degree, candidates must complete extensive
undergraduate prerequisites. Following their years in college, chiropractic
students must complete four more years of graduate-level instruction
and internship at an accredited chiropractic institution. Comprehensive
knowledge of all systems of the body and diagnostic procedures enable
the DC to thoroughly evaluate a patient, address disorders relating
to the spine and nervous system and determine the need for referral
to another health care provider.
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Dr. Randy
at Palmer College of Chiropractic.
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Doctors of
Chiropractic are primary health care providers.
According to the Center for Studies in Health Policy, The Doctor
of Chiropractic can provide all three levels of primary care interventions
and therefore is a primary care provider, as are MDs and DOs. The
DC is a gatekeeper to the health care system and an independent
practitioner who provides primary care services. Doctors of chiropractic
routinely enjoy a working relationship of referrals to and from
medical doctors.
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Doctors of
Chiropractic are licensed in all 50 states.
DCs have been licensed and recognized for many decades in all states,
the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.
Chiropractic
is recognized by governmental health care programs.
Chiropractic is included in Medicare, Medicaid, Federal Employees
Health Care Benefits Programs, Federal Workers' Compensation and
all state workers' compensation programs. Most private insurance
companies offer chiropractic health care benefits to their patrons.
Chiropractic students are qualified to receive federal student loan
assistance. Chiropractors are also authorized to be commissioned
as health care officers in the U.S. Armed Forces.
The practice
of chiropractic is based on sound scientific principles.
The existence of the nervous system as the primary control mechanism
of the body is an undisputed scientific fact. Its relationship with
the spine is the focus of the practice of chiropractic. The spine
develops in utero to provide two primary functions: (1) allow for
freedom of movement and (2) house and protect the spinal cord. When
the vertebrae of the spine become misaligned through trauma or repetitive
injury, two major consequences will result: (1) the range of motion
will eventually become limited and (2) the spinal cord and spinal
nerves emerging from the spinal cord are compromised. DCs use the
term "subluxation" to describe such disruptions. These
disruptions can lead to disturbances of nerve flow and can eventually
lead to pain, disability, neurologic damage and an overall decrease
in the quality of life. Conversely, the removal of that interference
has been shown to have significant, lasting health benefits. Through
the adjustment of the subluxation, the doctor of chiropractic endeavors
to restore normal nerve expression. The body is then able to respond
appropriately to imbalances in the system, thus relieving symptoms
and restoring health and homeostasis.
Doctors of
chiropractic provide effective, low-cost health care for a wide
range of conditions.
Studies conducted according to the highest scientific standards
and published by organizations not affiliated in any way with chiropractic
institutions or associations continue to show the clinical appropriateness
and effectiveness of chiropractic care. One of the most significant
lower back studies, funded by the Ontario Ministry of Health, stated
emphatically that:"On the evidence, particularly the most scientificallyvalid
clinical studies, spinal manipulation applied by chiropractors is
shown to be more effective than alternative treatments for low back
pain...There would be highly significant cost savings if more management
of low back pain was transferred from physician to chiropractors."
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The doctor
of chiropractic is an effective source of preventative and wellness
care.
The anatomical focus of the Doctor of Chiropractic on the human
spine, posture, nutrition and overall wellness has eliminated the
perception of the Doctor of Chiropractic as just a "back doctor."
Doctors of chiropractic are a highly appropriate resource in matters
of stress management, injury prevention, work-place safety postural
correction and nutritional counseling.
Chiropractic Professional Populations
The population of doctors of chiropractic in active practice in
the United States is reliably estimated to be 53,000.
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Dr. Mark,
surfing in Virginia Beach, Virginia. |
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The ratio of Doctors of Chiropractic to the general population, based
on the Bureau of the Census figures is estimated to be one doctor
of chiropractic for every 5,100 citizens. This contrasted dramatically
to the ratio of medical providers to the general population, as there
are well over ten times more Medical Doctors than Doctors of Chiropractic.
Thus the MD to general population ratio is approximately one to every
430 citizens. |
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