Prevention and Health Promotion by Chiropractors

Abstract

Other areas where chiropractors could potentially help their patients to pursue healthier choices-most notably smoking cessation-are addressed far less frequently. Abstract: Chiropractic care includes a variety of minimally invasive approaches, with both treatment and prevention as essential elements of clinical practice. Although chiropractic adjustment (manipulation) is the signature therapy and best-known identifier of the profession, the practice of chiropractic involves more than manual therapeutics. In general, chiropractors seek to bring a holistic worldview to the doctor-patient encounter, seeking not only to relieve pain and restore neuromusculoskeletal function but also to support the inherent self-healing and self-regulating powers of the body. Aside from applying their diagnostic training to the evaluation of a variety of physical disorders and delivering manual adjustments and related therapeutic interventions, many chiropractors encourage patients to take an active role in restoring and maintaining health, with particular emphasis on doctor-guided self-care through exercise and nutrition. In this review, the authors summarize the peer-reviewed literature on chiropractic and prevention, describe health promotion and wellness approaches currently taught at chiropractic colleges and used in chiropractic clinical settings, discuss duration of care, emphasize the importance of interprofessional cooperation and collaboration, and address the hypothesis that chiropractic adjustments yield preventive effects.

Improving Preventive Health Services Training in Chiropractic Colleges Part II: Enhancing Outcomes Through Improved Training and Accountability Processes

“…The investigators then evaluated the frequency, after the revamped public health curriculum was implemented, with which interns (with clinician approval) actually delivered evidence-based preventive care advice to their patients when factors indicating such a need were present. 9,10 The audit postcurriculum change of Globe et al 9 showed virtually no difference in intern (and clinician) behaviors. Of 408 charts examined (204 before and 204 after the curriculum change), there were only 4 documented instances of appropriate recommendations for any of the 9 preventive health service categories, a startlingly low success rate of 1%.…”

The Health Reform Moment: Peril and Possibility in the Obama Era

“…Chiropractors have always encouraged patients to take an active role in restoring and maintaining health, with particular emphasis on doctor-guided self-care through exercise and nutrition, 2 and new profession-wide initiatives reflect a deepened commitment to prevention and health promotion across the wide range of parameters elaborated by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. All students graduating from chiropractic colleges after January 2007 have been required to demonstrate knowledge of evidence-based prevention approaches and mastery of methods for applying these approaches in the clinical setting.…”

Incorporating Complementary and Integrative Health Providers in the Public Health Pandemic Response: Lessons from COVID-19 and Recommendations for the Future from a Multidisciplinary Expert Panel

“…Furthermore, surveys have documented that, in addition to their standard therapies (e.g., spinal manipulation), these providers are involved in a wide range of lifestyle counseling around issues such as physical activity and diet. 27,28 Although most CIH providers would readily recognize elements of public health in their regular patient care, in this report we focus on their potential role in community-wide public health efforts. Also, although we focus on chiropractic and naturopathic medicine, much of the information contained in this report is relevant to the other CIH professions, and perhaps to non-CIH health professions.…”