Unit 3 - Chiropractic and Spinal Manipulation for Low-Back Pain

Question 1

What is Chiropractic?

Answer 1

Form of health care that focuses on the relationship between the body’s structure, primarily of the spine, and function.

Question 2

What is the name of the hands-on therapy?

Answer 2

Manipulation (or adjustment) as their core clinical procedure.

Question 3

T/F Chiropractic is most often used to treat musculoskeletal conditions—problems
with the muscles, joints, bones, and connective tissue such as cartilage, ligaments, and tendons.

Answer 3

True.

Question 4

T/F Research studies of chiropractic treatment for low-back pain have been of
uneven quality and insufficient to allow firm conclusions.

Answer 4

True.

Question 5

When does risk increase for chiropractic therapy?

Answer 5

It is higher for the adjustment of the neck (cervical-spine manipulation i.e. cases of stroke have been reported).

Question 6

Where did the word chiropractic originate?

Answer 6

combines the Greek words cheir (hand) and praxis (action) and means “done by hand.”

Question 7

What are the basic concepts of chiropractic?

Answer 7

• The body has a powerful self-healing ability.
• The body’s structure (primarily that of the spine) and its function are closely related, and this relationship affects health.
• Chiropractic therapy is given with the goals of normalizing this relationship between structure
and function and assisting the body as it heals.

Question 8

Who described the earliest practice of chiropractic?

Answer 8

Hippocrates in ancient Greece.

Question 9

Who founded the modern profession of chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa in 1895?

Answer 9

Daniel David Palmer.

Question 10

What is a misalignment of the spine called?

Answer 10

Subluxations. (a concept that had already existed in the bonesetter and osteopathic
traditions)

Question 11

T/F All chiropractors continue to view subluxation as central to chiropractic health care.

Answer 11

False. However, other chiropractors no longer view the subluxation theory as a unifying theme in health and illness or as a basis for their practice. Other theories as to how chiropractic might work have been developed.

Question 12

What kind of training do chiropractors receive?

Answer 12

4-year academic program consisting of both classroom and clinical instruction. At least 3 years of preparatory college work are required for admission to chiropractic schools. Students who graduate receive the degree of Doctor of Chiropractic
(D.C.) and are eligible to take state licensure board examinations in order to practice. Some schools also offer postgraduate courses, including 2- to 3-year residency programs in specialized fields.

Question 13

In the United States, what percentage of adjustments are done by a chiropractor?

Answer 13

90%

Question 14

What are other modalities might a Chiropractor use?

Answer 14

• Heat and ice
• Ultrasound
• Electrical stimulation
• Rehabilitative exercise
• Magnetic therapy
• Counseling about diet, weight loss, and
other lifestyle factors
• Dietary supplements
• Homeopathy
• Acupuncture

Question 15

T/F There have been no

organized prospective studies on the number of serious complications.

Answer 15

True.

Question 16

What is the rare complication of concern from low-back adjustment?

Answer 16

Cauda equina syndrome. estimated to occur once per millions of treatments
(the number of millions varies; one study placed it at 100 million) A condition that occurs when the bundle of nerves below the end of the spinal cord known as the cauda equina is damaged.

Question 17

T/F Chiropractic practice is regulated individually by each state and the District of Columbia. Most states require chiropractors to earn continuing education credits to maintain their licenses.

Answer 17

True.

Question 18

Does any state license chiropractors to perform major surgery or prescribe drugs?

Answer 18

No.

Question 19

What is the difference between Medicare and Medicaid and does it cover chiropractic therapy?

Answer 19

A federal program, Medicare is for people that are 65+ regardless of income. Federal and state program, Medicaid is for low-come families that help reduce costs. Chiropractors can bill Medicare, and over
two dozen states cover chiropractic treatment under Medicaid.

Question 20

What is Obamacare and what is its goal?

Answer 20

Obamacare is the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010. Most people think it affects only affects health insurance, but it has changed the way America delivers health care overall. The ACA’s primary goal was to slow the rising cost of health care by taking steps to make health insurance more available and more affordable to those who need it the most. The act also required everyone to carry health insurance or pay a tax penalty.

Question 21

Other than chiropractic therapy, what are other ways you can minimize or eliminate lower back pain?

Answer 21

Remain active, applying heat, take pain relieving medications, physical therapy, massage, and exercise. Firm mattress may also help.

Question 22

Back pain is one of the most common health complaints, how many people are affected at some point in their lives and what is the annual costs in the United States?

Answer 22

8 out of 10 people will be affected and it costs more than $100 Billion a year.