Michael LoGiudice, DC

What is Chiropractic?

Chiropractic is a branch of the healing arts which is based upon the understanding that good health depends, in part, upon a normally functioning nervous system (especially the spine, and the nerves extending from the spine to all parts of the body). “Chiropractic” comes from the Greek word Chiropraktikos, meaning “effective treatment by hand.” Chiropractic stresses the idea that the cause of many disease processes begins with the body’s inability to adapt to its environment.  

It looks to address these diseases not by the use of drugs and chemicals, but by locating and adjusting a musculoskeletal area of the body which is functioning improperly. 

The conditions which doctors of chiropractic address are as varied and as vast as the nervous system itself. All chiropractors use a standard procedure of examination to diagnose a patient’s condition and arrive at a course of treatment. Doctors of chiropractic use the same time-honored methods of consultation, case history, physical examination, laboratory analysis and x-ray examination as any other doctor. In addition, they provide a careful chiropractic structural examination, paying particular attention to the spine.  

The examination of the spine to evaluate structure and function is what makes chiropractic different from other health care procedures. Your spinal column is a series of movable bones which begin at the base of your skull and end in the center of your hips. Thirty-one pairs of spinal nerves extend down the spine from the brain and exit through a series of openings. The nerves leave the spine and form a complicated network which influences every living tissue in your body.  

Accidents, falls, stress, tension, overexertion, and countless other factors can result in a displacements or derangements of the spinal column, causing irritation to spinal nerve roots. These irritations are often what cause malfunctions in the human body. Chiropractic teaches that reducing or eliminating this irritation to spinal nerves can cause your body to operate more efficiently and more comfortably. 

Chiropractic also places an emphasis on nutritional and exercise programs, wellness and lifestyle modifications for promoting physical and mental health. While chiropractors make no use of drugs or surgery, Doctors of chiropractic do refer patients for medical care when those interventions are indicated. In fact, chiropractors, medical doctors, physical therapists and other health care professionals now work as partners in occupational health, sports medicine, and a wide variety of other rehabilitation practices.  

___________________________________________________

How Can I Find the Chiropractor Best for Me?

Finding the right doctor of chiropractic is similar to finding the right dentist or medical doctor. Consideration must be given to technique, expertise, specialty and various subjective issues such as personality, communication skills and health care philosophy.  

The best way to find the chiropractor that’s right for you is to spend a little time. First use the American Chiropractic Assocation website:  www.acatoday.org  or your local state (OR) association website:  www.oregonchiroassoc.com to locate the chiropractors near you. Then, review the information they provide through their websites, local advertising, etc. You also may want to ask your friends, family, neighbors and co-workers who may recommend one doctor of chiropractic over another.  

Finally, call and ask for an appointment. Let the doctor know of your needs and your long-term health goals. Let the doctor examine you and share his/her findings. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. In numerous studies, doctors of chiropractic have been shown to be among the most patient-centered health care providers.  

Usually, within the first few visits you’ll know if this is the chiropractor for you.  

________________________________________

What Can I Expect on My First Visit to a DC?

The first thing a chiropractor will do is ask you about the health complaints about which you are chiefly concerned. The DC will also ask about your family history, dietary habits, other care you may have had (chiropractic, osteopathic, medical, etc.), your job, and other questions designed to help determine the nature of your illness and the best way to go about treating the problem.  

A physical examination will be performed in accordance with your DC’s clinical judgement, which may include x-rays, laboratory analysis and other diagnostic procedures. In addition, a careful spinal examination and analysis will be performed to detect any structural abnormalities which may be affecting or causing your condition. All of these elements are important components of your total health profile, and vital to the doctor of chiropractic in evaluating your problem.

An “adjustment,” as doctors of chiropractic use the term, means the specific manipulation of vertebrae which have abnormal movement patterns or fail to function normally. Doctors of chiropractic spend years learning motion palpation (the art of examining by movement or touch) and other forms of spinal examining procedures, so that they can administer specific and appropriate spinal adjustments.  

Once the DC has identified the problem, he/she will begin care by way of these adjustments or “manipulations.” Particular attention will be paid to that area of your spine where a spinal derangement or “subluxation” has been detected. The adjustment is usually given by hand or “activator” type instruments, and consists of applying pressure to the areas of the spine that are out of alignment or that do not move properly within their normal range of motion.  

Doctors of chiropractic use many sophisticated and varied techniques, and the specific procedure to be used will be determined and explained completely to you following a careful evaluation of your radiographs and physical findings.  

Under normal circumstances, adjustments don’t hurt. The patient may experience a minor amount of discomfort during the adjustment which lasts only seconds. Adjustments or manipulations are extremely safe. The risk factor is estimated to be in excess of 1 million to 1.

 ______________________________________________________________

Chiropractic Philosophy

The chiropractic perspective on health and disease emphasizes two fundamental concepts:  

1. The structure and condition of the body influences how the body functions and its ability to heal itself; and
2. The mind-body relationship is instrumental in maintaining health and in the healing processes. 

Although chiropractic shares much with other health professions, its emphasis and application of philosophy distinguishes it from modern medicine. Chiropractic philosophy gravitates toward a holistic ( “total person” ) approach to healing which combines elements of the mind, body and spirit and maintains that health depends on obedience to natural laws, and that deviation from such laws can result in illness. 

Chiropractic Philosophy includes: 

• emphasis on patient recuperative abilities rather than surgery
• recognition that dynamics exist between lifestyle, environment and health
• understanding the cause of illness in order to eliminate it, rather than simply treat symptoms
• recognition of the centrality of the nervous system and its intimate relationship with the capacities of the human body
• balancing benefits versus risks of clinical interventions
• recognition of the primary importance of monitoring progress closely through appropriate diagnostic procedures
• a patient-centered, hands-on approach focused on influencing function through structure
• focus on early intervention emphasizing timely diagnosis and treatment of conditions that are wholly functional and reversible

Chiropractic philosophy blends an effective combination of conviction, critical thinking, open-mindedness, and appreciation of the natural order of things. Chiropractic focuses on the establishment and maintenance of a relationship between patients and their environment which is most conducive to functional well-being.

______________________________________________________________________

Chiropractic Research

Due to the lack of funding by government agencies, legitimate, sustained scientific research in chiropractic has only recently become fully established. In 1944, the National Chiropractic Association (NCA) created the Chiropractic Research Foundation (CRF) with the objective of promoting and acquiring funding for the development of research for the chiropractic profession. 

During the 1960’s, chiropractic educators realized the importance of upgrading educational standards to achieve nationally recognized accreditation. The NCA became the American Chiropractic Association (ACA) and the CRF became the Foundation for Accredited Chiropractic Education. What was originally conceived as an organization to support research became an organization to help chiropractic colleges gain accreditation. While this was accomplished in 1974, when the U.S. Department of Health Education and Welfare recognized the Council on Chiropractic Education (CCE), and the Foundation for Accredited Chiropractic Education was reorganized as the Foundation of Chiropractic Education and Research (FCER), the emphasis was to remain for several years on education rather than research. 

Two important developments in the 1970’s expanded the scope of chiropractic research.  First, the U.S. Department of Health Education and Welfare sponsored a research conference on spinal manipulation in 1975, which heightened awareness of the need for research on spinal manipulation and other chiropractic-related subject matter.  This prompted the organization of the Chiropractic Research Council (CRC) in an effort to bring together the research directors of all the chiropractic colleges.  The second important development came in 1979, when the FCER hired a director of research who expanded the research program and established a competitive scientific review process for submitted proposals.  The Foundation also implemented an annual research conference for paper presentations, research training, and interprofessional communication.  This meeting thrives to this day as the International Conference on Spinal Manipulation, which attracts researchers from different fields worldwide. 

Today, research in chiropractic has grown by leaps and bounds thanks to the assistance of a number of other organizations, mostly within the chiropractic profession.  The scope of chiropractic research parallels that of medical research, with active research involvement in such areas as basic science, health services, education, and clinical research. 

However, until very recently, Federal funding has been virtually nonexistent.  Even with millions of research dollars being given to medical research each year, only a small number of Federal grants have been awarded to projects involving chiropractic, and in amounts that pale in comparison to medical grants. 

In 1994-5, half of all grant funding to chiropractic researchers was from the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration (7 grants totalling $2.3 million) and most of the remainder was from the Foundation for Chiropractic Education and Research (11 grants totalling $881,000) and the Consortium for Chiropractic Research (4 grants totalling $519,000). 

Currently there are 14 peer-reviewed chiropractic journals in English which publish the results of chiropractic research, including The Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, Topics in Clinical Chiropractic, and the Journal of Chiropractic Humanities. Chiropractic research has also been published in scientific journals, although chiropractic researchers recognize that most of their work is read by the chiropractic profession alone. With each passing day more is done to reduce this scientific isolation and expand the scope and appreciation of chiropractic and chiropractic research to the scientific community and the general public. 

For more information please visit: 

Manga II (courtesy of the Ontario Chiropractic Association)
Foundation for Chiropractic Education and Research (FCER)
Chiropractic Journal of Australia
JMPT (Journal of Manipulative & Physiological Therapeutics)
Journal of the Canadian Chiropractic Association
Chiropractic Research 

________________________________________

Phases of Chiropractic Care

I.  Initial Intensive Care    

The first phase of care is referred to as Relief Care or Acute Care. This is designed to eliminate or reduce the majority of the discomfort and stabilize the condition in the shortest amount of time.  During this phase of care, visits may be frequent. Repeated visits are often required to reduce or eliminate the symptoms.    

 II.  Rehabilitative Care      

Once you complete the Initial Intensive Care Phase,  we recommend the Rehabilitative Care Phase. The objective of the second phase of your treatment program is to correct any underlying spinal injury as well as strengthening the muscles, improve spinal function and provide more complete or optimum healing of tissues and organ systems.  Visits will reduce in frequency and care is supplemented by exercises and modification of your ADL’s.    

III.  Maintenance or Wellness Care    

Last, but not least, is Wellness Care or Maintenance Care.  It is designed to maintain your improved health and spinal function, and prevent the return of the original condition once spinal correction has been attained.  Regular attention catches small problems before they become serious. Wellness through prevention saves time and money by helping you stay well, and recover more quickly when you do suffer from an injury.  

_______________________________________________________________

 The Association of Chiropractic Colleges (ACC) Official Position on Chiropractic:     

Chiropractic is a health care discipline which emphasizes the inherent recuperative power of the body to heal itself without the use of drugs or surgery.    

The practice of chiropractic focuses on the relationship between structure (primarily the spine) and function (as coordinated by the nervous system) and how the relationship affects the preservation and restoration of health.  In addition, Doctors of Chiropractic (DC) recognize the value and responsibility of working in cooperation with other health care practitioners when in the best interest of the patient.    

Worldwide, the chiropractic profession continues to foster a unique, distinct service that serves as a health care discipline for all.  The ACC advocates a profession that generates, develops, and utilizes the highest level of evidence possible in the provision of effective, prudent, and cost-conscious patient evaluation and care.    

PURPOSE:   The purpose of chiropractic is to optimize health.    

PRINCIPLE:  The body’s innate recuperative power is affected by and integrated through the nervous system.

PRACTICE:  The practice of chiropractic includes:     

• PRIMUM NON NOCERE: first do no harm
• establishing a diagnosis
• facilitating neurological and bio-mechanical integrity through appropriate case management; and
• promoting health

FOUNDATION:  The foundation of chiropractic includes:    

• Philosophy:  Recognizing that the body has the unique ability to heal itself and wants to be healthy
• Science:  Determine which phase of healing you are in and type of tissue that is injured
• Art:  Use of the appropriate techniques to provide the quickest rate of recovery
• Knowledge: Anatomy, chemistry, physiology, and knowing the emotional effects on health
• Clinical experience:  Working with many various types of patients  and injuries
• Common sense:  Knowing when to refer out for a condition that you do not treat

IMPACTS:  The chiropractic paradigm directly influences the following:    

• education
• research
• health care policy and leadership
• relationships with other health care providers
• professional stature
• public awareness and perceptions; and
• patient health through quality care.

______________________________________________________________________

The Vertebral Subluxation Complex ( VSC ) explained

The subluxation is still taught in the chiropractic curriculum and it is the reason it is mentioned in this website.  Linn City Chiropractic is not a subluxation-based clinic.  A successful chiropractic practice treats many types of  patients, including: Wellness care, Acute care, Work-related and Motor vehicle accidents.  Subluxations are a combination of many changes going on simultaneously.  These changes are not limited to just the joints of the body. There are five categories of the Vertebral Subluxation Complex ( VSC ).  These five are:    

1. The osseous (bone) component is where the vertebrae are either out of position, not moving properly, or are undergoing physical changes such as degeneration.  This component is sometimes called kinesiopathology. (Ie.Frozen shoulder, kink in the neck, a catch in the back)
2. The Nerve Component is the malfunctioning of the nerve. Even a small amount of pressure on spinal nerves can have a profound impact on the function of the nerves.  This component is scientifically known as neuropathology.  (Ie. Pins and needles, aching, dull ache, numbness,  and sharp shooting pains.)
3. The Muscle Component helps hold the vertebrae in place. Nerves control the muscles.  Thus, muscles are an integral part of the VSC.  Muscles effect, as well as are affected by the VSC. This component is known as myopathology.  (Ie. Weakness, muscle wasting, muscle spasms, trigger-points, and muscle cramps.)
4. The Soft Tissue Component is when you have misaligned vertebrae and pressure on nerves resulting in changes in the surrounding soft tissues.  This means the tendons, ligaments, blood supply and other tissues undergo changes.  These changes can occur at the point of the VSC or far away at some end point of the affected nerves. This component is also known as histopathology. (Ie. Swelling, bruising, sprains of ligaments, strains of tendons)
5. The Chemical Component is when all these components of the VSC are acting on your body, and therefore causing some degree of chemical changes. These chemical changes can be slight or massive depending of what parts of your body are affected by your subluxations. This component is often known as biochemical abnormalities. (Ie. Fatigue, excessive cortisol production, adrenal burnout, short tempered, insomnia.)

______________________________________________________________   

The Chiropractic Oath:  

“I do hereby swear before these assembled witnesses that I will do my utmost to keep this oath as a doctor of chiropractic.  I will light the way to the understanding of those natural laws which preserve the human body, as a fitting temple for the soul.I will keep the physical, mental, and spiritual needs of the sick as my foremost duty, ever searching for and correcting the cause of their disease to the best of my ability.  I will at all times stand ready to serve humanity without distinction of race, creed or colour. I will prevent and alleviate human suffering. I will exemplify a pattern of living in harmony with the laws of nature. 

With purity I will pass my life and practice my art. I will refrain from any act of wrong-doing. I will regard the keeping of a patients confidence as a moral obligation. I will at all times consider the patients under my care as of supreme importance.  I will not spare myself in rendering them the help which I have been taught by my Alma mater.

May the skillful use of my hands be so directed, that I may bring strength to the sick, relief to the suffering, peace of mind to the anxious, and the inspiration to the human race to attain bountiful health, that we may live this life to the fullest expression of its innate endowments.I therefore solemnly swear to uphold these principles and precepts, to the best of my ability, so help me God.”

________________________________________________________________________________

BJ Palmer – the developer of chiropractic

The 33 Chiropractic Principles:

1. The Major Premise – A Universal Intelligence is in all matter and continually gives to it all its properties and actions, thus maintaining it in existence.    

2. The Chiropractic Meaning of Life – The expression of this intelligence through matter is the Chiropractic meaning of life.    

3. The Union of Intelligence and Matter – Life is necessarily the union of intelligence and matter.    

4. The Triune of Life - Life is a triunity having three necessary united factors, namely: Intelligence, Force and Matter.    

5. The Perfection of the Triune – In order to have 100% Life, there must be 100% Intelligence, 100% Force, 100% Matter.    

6. The Principle of Time - There is no process that does not require time.    

7. The Amount of Intelligence in Matter – The amount of intelligence for any given amount of matter is 100%, and is always proportional to its requirements.    

8. The Function of Intelligence – The function of intelligence is to create force.    

9. The Amount of Force Created by Intelligence - The amount of force created by intelligence is always 100%.    

10. The Function of Force – The function of force is to unite intelligence and matter.    

11. The Character of Universal Forces – The forces of Universal Intelligence are manifested by physical laws; are unswerving and unadapted, and have no solicitude for the structures in which they work.    

12. Interference with Transmission of Universal Forces – There can be interference with transmission of universal forces.    

13. The Function of Matter – The function of matter is to express force.    

14. Universal Life – Force is manifested by motion in matter; all matter has motion, therefore there is universal life in all matter.    

15. No Motion without the Effort of Force - Matter can have no motion without the application of force by intelligence.    

16. Intelligence in both Organic and Inorganic Matter – Universal Intelligence gives force to both organic and inorganic matter.    

17. Cause and Effect – Every effect has a cause and every cause has effects.    

18. Evidence of Life – The signs of life are evidence of the intelligence of life.    

19. Organic Matter – The material of the body of a “living thing” is organized matter.    

20. Innate Intelligence - A “living thing” has an inborn intelligence within its body, called Innate Intelligence.    

21. The Mission of Innate Intelligence – The mission of Innate Intelligence is to maintain the material of the body of a “living thing” in active organization.    

22. The Amount of Innate intelligence – There is 100% of Innate Intelligence in every “living thing,” the requisite amount, proportional to its organization.    

23.The Function of Innate Intelligence – The function of Innate Intelligence is to adapt universal forces and matter for use in the body, so that all parts of the body will have co-coordinated action for mutual benefit.    

24. The Limits of Adaptation – Innate Intelligence adapts forces and matter for the body as long as it can do so without breaking a universal law, or Innate Intelligence is limited by the limitations of matter.    

25. The Character of Innate Forces - The forces of Innate Intelligence never injure or destroy the structures in which they work.    

26. Comparison of Universal and Innate Forces – In order to carry on the universal cycle of life, Universal forces are destructive, and Innate forces constructive, as regards structural matter.    

27. The Normality of Innate Intelligence - Innate Intelligence is always normal and its function is always normal.    

28. The Conductors of Innate Forces – The forces of Innate Intelligence operate through or over the nervous system in animal bodies.    

29. Interference with Transmission of Innate Forces – There can be interference with the transmission of Innate forces.    

30. The Causes of Dis-ease - Interference with the transmission of Innate forces causes incoordination of dis-ease.    

31. Subluxations- Interference with transmission in the body is always directly or indirectly due to subluxations in the spinal column.    

32. The Principle of Coordination – Coordination is the principle of harmonious action of all the parts of an organism, in fulfilling their offices and purposes.    

33. The Law of Demand and Supply - The Law of Supply and Demand is existent in the body in its ideal state; wherein the “clearing house,” is the brain, Innate the virtuous “banker,” brain cells “clerks,” and nerve cells “messengers.”