Chiropractic

Press, 6 January 1987, Page 12

Chiropractic

Chiropractic is a manipulative therapy, rather like osteopathy, which specialises in treating mechanical disorders of the joints, especially those of the spine, and their effects on the nervous system. X-rays are often used for diagnosis and the treatment is purely manipulation without any drugs or surgery. Chiropractors are primarily treating problems associated with the muscles and the skeleton especially the most common types of aches and pains such as , neck and backache, disc injuries, sciatica, numbness, migraines, catarrh, sinus pain, digestive problems, constipation and menstrual disorders. It is thought that the BMA would look more favourably on chlropractoirs if they limited treatment to back pain — for which conventional medicine has little to offer. Yet the therapy, is widely practised in Canada, America, Australia, New Zealand, Switzerland and Denmark. American studies showed that people laid off work with low back pain were able to return twice as quickly after chiropractors had worked on them, compared with traditional therapies. There are only about 150 chiropractors in Britain, so you may have to travel a long way to find one. Acupuncture

Acupuncture is one of the oldest therapies still in practice and is perhaps the

most frightening to the layman. It is a technique in which needles are used to puncture the skin at certain defined points to restore equilibrium in the body. It Is based on the belief that there is a nervous connection between the organs inside the body and the outer surface of the skin. Therapists believe that when the body is unwell the flow of the “vital energy” of the body — or the Qi, as it is known, is blocked for some reason. When this is unblocked by using needles, the body recovers. Although acupuncture was used in China over 5000 years ago, and is still a “first choice” form of medicine for the Chinese today, it did not reach Britain until the 19505. Word got around and it really gained popularity during the 19605. It is now supported by more scientific studies than any other kind of alternative medicine. Despite its recent appearance in Britain, acupuncture is now the second largest “alternative” therapy, with nearly 1000 registered practitioners, including an estimated 700 acupuncturists who are medically-qualified. Many doctors use acupuncture to treat specific conditions only — such as pain (largely rheumatism and arthritis) and also addiction. Some acupuncturists apply their techniques to virtually any condition presented to them by a sick or troubled patient Because of the holistic approach, acupuncturists are trained to look for the onset of disease before the

patient is even aware of there being anything wrong. Herbal medicine Herbal medicine is probably even earlier in its origins than acupuncture. Primitive man is thought to have worked out which herbs helped him sleep, pepped him up, made his cuts heal faster, his bruises go down and cured his fever. This instinct, which animals still have, became folklore and, in its extremes, witchcraft. When modern drugs were first developed, many used the “active ingredients” of plants, aspirin from willow bark for example. Herbalists use the whole plant to provide what they regard as gentler, more balanced remedies for a wide range of conditions. Research in China, West Germany and in Eastern countries where herbalism is widely practised, shows' that it is effective in treating high blood pressure, heart, liver and skin disease, and rheumatism. Plants like garlic, fennel, ginseng and Oil of Evening Primrose all have a growing following. The British Herbal Medicine Association’s scientific committee has recently published its first volume of herbal medicines and recommended uses. Naturopathy Naturopaths believe that illness is caused by bad living habits like eating the wrong foods, too much stress and not having enough exercise. As a result of all these, waste materials and bodily refuse build up and poison the system. The therapy is to throw off these toxic accumulations by adapting to a healthier regime including a wholesome diet, hydro-

therapy (water), manipulation and psychological counselling.