Who Are Chiropractors? Who Are OsteoPaths?

The name "chiropractor" comes from the Greek words " kheir " meaning " hand", and " praktikos" meaning "practical". Chiropractors believe that the nervous system is responsible for governing our health, and use "short lever adjustments" on the various joints in the body to restore health. The name "osteopath" comes from the Greek work "ostyeon" meaning "bone", and "pathos", meaning "suffering". Osteopaths believe that the blood and circulatory system governs our health, and use more soft tissue work with long lever adjustments on joints in the body to restore health.

Chiropractic and Osteopathic Training

3 years doing a Bachelor of Science at University followed by 2 years full time in a masters program. This includes anatomy, physiology and diagnostic sciences, as well as chiropractic/osteopathic studies. This comprehensive knowledge means they are experts in knowing when a person will benefit from specialised care, and when referral to another health care provider is required.

Chiropractors and Osteopaths are fully licensed health care professionals governed by Registration Boards in every state and territory in Australia. They are the only health professionals who are specifically trained and qualified to locate and correct subluxations.

What is Chiropractic Care?

Your spine is designed to protect your central nervous system and thus allow it to function normally. It is vital that your central nervous system works properly, because it controls and co-ordinates the function of every single cell, tissue and organ in the body.

So it follows that a healthy spine, coupled with a healthy nervous system, is crucial in terms of maintaining optimal whole body health.

For Example, if your spine is twisted or compressed in any way, the bones may choke, stretch or irritate the delicate nerves of the nervous system and will interfere with the correct functioning of the organs or muscles they control. Many common ailments, such as headaches and poor digestion, can stem from a spine that is out of alignment in some way. Other body effects may include migraines, vision, balance, clumsiness and concentration or reading problems.

The primary focus of chiropractic care is therefore the location, analysis, correction and prevention of vertebral subluxations. Chiropractors usually correct subluxations with gentle spinal adjustments performed by hand or by the use of specialised instruments. These specific corrective procedures help to re balance the body, thus promoting the proper function of the nervous system and contributing to optimal whole body health.