Chiropractic Care is a complementary and alternative health care profession which focuses on diagnosing, treating, and preventing mechanical disorders of the musculoskeletal system, their effects on the nervous system and general health. Chiropractors believe that these misalignments, aka subluxations, interfere with the body's self-regulating mechanisms via the nervous system resulting in bodily dysfunction.

A chiropractor may specialize in treating low back problems or sports injuries, or may combine chiropractic with manipulation of the extremities, physiotherapy, nutrition, or exercises to increase spinal strength or improve overall health. They may also use other complementary and alternative methods as a part of a holistic treatment approach. They do not prescribe drugs or perform surgery. They are trained to recognize signs of cancer, diabetes, and infectious diseases and refer these patients to medical physicians for specialized or concomitant care.

There is evidence that spinal manipulation can be effective against acute low back pain and tension headache, as well as other health benefits.

Philosophy of the subluxation

Both chiropractic and mainstream medicine hold that much of the body is controlled by nerve impulses sent to and from the brain along the spinal cord. Whether the brain commanding the foot to move, the foot signaling the brain that it is in pain, or even a simple patellar reflex, the spinal cord is involved. Outgoing impulses from the brain pass down the spinal cord and exit through the appropriate spinal nerve branch held between the vertebrae on either side of the spinal cord. There are 31 pairs of spinal nerves that emerge from the spinal cord; all of which are housed by vertebrae. If the vertebrae are misaligned (subluxated), a spinal nerve can be squeezed or pinched and therefore message flow can be compromised. By aligning the vertebrae and removing restrictions on the spinal nerves, chiropractic allows the spinal cord to more effectively relay messages to and from the brain; thus promoting better health.

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