Should Chiropractics Be Considered Alternative Medicine?

When you hear the term "alternative medicine", what first pop into your head? Incense, crystals and voodoo dolls? What about chiropractics? Many people are of the impression that chiropractics is classified as complimentary or alternative medicine. But practitioners assert it should not be. Unlike some other forms of alternative medicine, schooling is required for any chiropractor wanting to go into business. Not only that, but the entire chiropractic industry holds itself just as accountable to medical ethical standards as would practitioners of conventional medicine.
American chiropractic schools require a student to have a college degree before they can even enroll. Some also require that the student have always had a GPA of 2.5 or higher throughout their time in the course. Courses require years of classes in order to get a chiropractic certificate. Chiropractic courses are not cheap, so only the truly dedicated students will eventually graduate.
Individual states in America require that chiropractors pass a state exam in order to practice in that state. Most states also require that the chiropractor take a certain number of courses every couple of years. St. Louis chiropractic practitioners, for example, have to take a six-part exam and pass a criminal background check in order to be allowed to work in Missouri.
The basic concepts of chiropractic medicine have been practiced by healers for centuries for both people and valuable livestock. But modern chiropractic medicine did not begin until 1890s with Daniel David Palmer and his son B.J. Palmer spearheading the campaign to further explore this field of study. Unfortunately, they began at a time when the American government was trying to crack down on "quacks" or fake doctors and dentists. This may be why chiropractic was initially greeted with much derision by conventional doctors.
But in some instances of back pain, rib pain, headaches or neurological conditions, conventional doctors may even prescribe a round of chiropractic treatments and recommend local practitioners for their patients. Even some health insurance companies in America will partially reimburse some chiropractic treatments.
If the notoriously stingy health insurance companies are willing to help pay for chiropractic treatments, then perhaps it's time to reclassify chiropractics as another branch of conventional medicine.
In Missouri, Creve Coeur back pain cases and other spine-related injuries have been resolved with chiropractic treatment as well as other conditions which have been brought to the attention of St Louis chiropractors and other practitioners working in Chesterfield and Maryland.
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