Conceptual Basis of Chiropractic

I think it is important to start this discussion off by pointing out that for a very long time mankind has relied on a variety of pseudoscientific ideas in the practice of chiropractic. These pseudoscientific ideas that have included: subluxation and innate intelligence have not been exactly proven as having a based on solid scientific base upon which they stand. In fact, for a long time different chiropractors have courted controversy by taking anti-mainstream medicine stances such as anti-immunization thoughts. This is in spite of the public knowledge that vaccination and immunization help in the fight of various illnesses to the point of eradication. For instance, polio has been dealt with through immunization and to date, only three countries in the world have people suffering from polio. So it is important to set this clear from the very onset. In fact, it is not until the year 1987 that the American Medical Association began recognizing the practice, before that, it was simply an unscientific cult.

Legal standing of chiropractors

In the begin, the practice of chiropractic was based on the premises of vitalism, spiritual inspiration and rationalism. From the very onset, there was a leaning towards the philosophy that was based on deduction from irrefutable doctrine. This in essence helped to differentiate, albeit to the smallest margin, chiropractic from medicine. It in essence provided this practice with a slight legal as well as political defense system against claims that had hitherto followed those who practiced chiropractic, of practicing without a medical license. The result is that now chiropractors can practice and have established themselves as a rather autonomous profession. What this means is that generations upon generations of chiropractors have been taught this "straight" philosophy, which ideally rejects the inferential reasoning that is the basis of the scientific method. It therefore relies on deductions from a variety of vitalistic first principles instead of the materialism of science.

Chiropractic philosophies

There are three main philosophies that envelope the whole of the chiropractic practice. These are: reductionism, which reduces the causes and cure health problems usually those dealing with vertebral subluxation. Conservatism on the other hand seeks to use the non-invasive methods of treatment while seeking a balance between the risks and the benefits. The use of Homeostasis on the other hand tends to emphasize on the ability of the body to heal itself. It seems to rely on the ability of the body to take care of itself and heal itself as long as it is presented with the right set of conditions.