Chiropractic Identity: A Neurological, Professional, and Political Assessment

Area of Science:

• Integrative medicine and healthcare delivery systems.
• Interdisciplinary analysis of professional identity in healthcare.
• Neurology, manual medicine, and primary care perspectives.

Background:

• Chiropractic's struggle for a defined identity over 120 years.
• Underrepresentation in healthcare discussions despite recognized benefits.
• Need for a focused assessment triangulating multiple viewpoints.

Approach:

• Triangulation of multiple viewpoints on chiropractic identity.
• Examination from six distinct perspectives: manual medicine, non-spinal focus, subluxation, neurology, alternative/mainstream integration, and primary/specialist care.
• Analysis of definitions within neurology, manual medicine, and alternative or mainstream medicine.

Key Points:

• Chiropractic embraces holistic, preventive medicine and neurological imbalance concepts.
• Doctors of chiropractic diagnose, manage patients on a first-contact basis, and focus on the spine.
• High-velocity, low-amplitude adjustments demonstrate a superior safety record.

Conclusions:

• Chiropractic offers unique contributions to healthcare, including primary care in underserved areas.
• Despite challenges, chiropractic's distinct characteristics and research commitments warrant broader recognition.
• Further exploration of chiropractic's identity is crucial for optimal health care integration.