The Wonders of Chiropractic

Chiropractic is a branch of alternative medicine concerned with the treatment of illnesses by manipulating the musculoskeletal system. It is said that disorders in this system affect the overall health of the body. Although it is considered the third biggest medical specialty in the United States, chiropractic is not based on pure science. Its pseudoscientific influences have made it controversial over the years.

Chiropractic is categorized into straights and mixers. Straights focus on spinal adjustments as the main solutions to illnesses, while mixers take into account newer practices such as regular exercise, therapy, and massage. Mixers are a hybrid of traditional chiropractic and modern medicine. Initially, there was no distinction between the two. However, the advent of more modern techniques led to the decline of the view that vertebral problems were the primary causes of diseases.

The philosophy of this specialty finds its roots in spiritual inspiration, rationalism, and vitalism. It includes four major perspectives—holism, conservatism, homeostasis, and the comparison between straights and mixers. Chiropractors in developed cities like Portland believe in the holistic approach that human health is influenced by the environment. This means that medication and healing should not focus on one aspect alone.

Acupuncture: How Does It Work?

There are ways to maintain human health other than conventional medicine. One of these is through alternative medicine, which involves health practices that are primarily based on historical and cultural traditions more than they are based on science. A popular example of this is acupuncture, the practice of inserting needles into pressure areas in the body to treat physical, mental, and emotional illnesses.

Acupuncture began in China many centuries ago. Because of its effectiveness, it has spread to other parts of the globe and remains in use up to the present. The Chinese believe that the human body consists of an inner force called "Qi." This energy keeps the body strong and healthy. When the Qi is restrained, the body gets ill. The free flow of positive energies must be restored to heal the illness. Acupuncture focuses on restoring this flow to maintain overall health.

A freely flowing Qi distributes good energy to every cell in the body. It also pushes out toxins produced by stress. Such a process is essential for keeping the body, mind, and spirit in shape. Acupuncturists in cities like Portland, Oregon determine the correct puncture spots that promote good energy streams. A patient might need several acupuncture sessions to get his Qi flowing again.