The Great Divide In Modern Chiropractic Medicine

Chiropractic medicine has always had a strained relationship with traditional western medicine. Because of this lengthy history of attacks and mud-slinging between the two storied institutions, chiropractic medicine as a whole has developed into this united, monolithic idea in the public’s perception. This is a categorically false impression. In fact, the chiropractic system is divided into two distinct schools of thought with wildly differing philosophies.

The schism in modern chiropractic medicine, just like in any old organization, owes its existence to the age old clash between traditionalists and younger more liberal-minded individuals. One group, called the straights, still adhere strongly to the original tenets and philosophies put forth by the founder D.D. Palmer. On the other hand, the opposing group, called the mixers, is open to new ideas and methods in addition to those practiced in traditional chiropractic treatment.

Let’s pretend that there are two brilliant chiropractors, one a mixer and the other straight, that have recently set up shop in New York. Both of these individuals would like to be the top Chiropractor Brooklyn Center MN residents would come to favor. If a man enters their clinics complaining of chronic back pain, these two doctors will each have a different approach in treating the man’s ills. It’s through their dissimilar methods of treatment for the same condition that we can see why these two groups remain separate.

The straight one, though he truly wants to be the best Chiropractor Brooklyn Center MN has to offer, would not really take note of the patient’s complaints regarding his symptoms. He believes that these are secondary to the abnormalities in his patient’s spine. This is a belief in line with D.D. Palmer’s theory that the body has an innate intelligence and when spinal misalignment interferes with this intelligence, it results in the patient’s ailment. He concerns himself solely with spinal adjustment (i.e. vertebral subluxation) and refuses to mix it with other types of therapies.

Across the street, the mixer also aims to be the only Chiropractor Brooklyn Center MN locals would trust. Unlike his colleague, he will not limit himself to just vertebral subluxation. He would combine his treatment with modern medical techniques like diagnosis, rehab exercises, ice pack, dietary supplements etc. This open minded approach to new methodologies is what separates a mixer from a straight chiropractor.