Modern chiropractic began in the late 1800s when Daniel David Palmer, a self-educated teacher and healer, performed the first spinal manipulation on a patient. Today, chiropractic is the third largest area of medicine, next only to dentistry and is the largest Complementary and Alternative Medicine (or
The word chiropractic comes from Greek words meaning "treatment by hand", which is exactly what chiropractors do - they use their hands to treat the body and promote healing.
Chiropractors are medical professionals who diagnose and treat disorders of the musculoskeletal and nervous systems. They use traditional diagnostic testing methods (such as x-rays, MRI, and lab work) along with specific techniques that involve hands-on manipulation of the articulations of the body. Chiropractors also offer nutrition and healthy lifestyle counseling. Chiropractors elect not to prescribe medications and they do not perform surgery, however, many chiropractors work closely with medical doctors and will refer a patient when necessary.