What is Chiropractic Medicine?
A Chat with Suman Chaudhuri, D.C., N.D.
With Avanti Vadivelu
Q. It seems that you can find a doctor of chiropractic nearly anywhere these days, whether in big urban cities or small 
rural islands. What is the primary theory behind chiropractic medicine?
A. Chiropractic is a natural, drugless healing method with the specific purpose of manually removing any misalignments (subluxations) in the spine interfering with the nervous system and proper nerve flow. Proper alignment of the spine means minimal interference on the nerves arising from the spinal cord and optimal potential for health. A subluxation is likened to a traffic jam on an exit ramp off of a highway...vital information and healing energy gets blocked or disrupted. Realignment of the spine is called an 'adjustment' and the actual technique can vary from just the use of the hands to hand-held devices and other props.
Q. Are doctors of chiropractic (otherwise known as chiropractic physicians or chiropractors) only trained to treat the musculoskeletal system?
A. Chiropractors are considered primary care physicians but most limit themselves to treating musculoskeletal conditions. Chiropractic medicine was founded and organized in the early 1900's at a time when allopathic or Western medicine was struggling and not as popular as today. It was based on the vitalistic/holistic model of health of the following:
1) the body and mind are connected and essentially one
2) the whole is greater than just the sum of it's parts which means that true health must focus on the physical body as well as the emotions, mind, and spirit
3) there is an innate intelligence that runs the body
4) there is non-physical vital force or energy that fuels the body
5) true health is achieved with natural means that promote natural processes and remove interferences to health
For your knowledge… Chiropractors have broad diagnostic skills and are also trained to recommend therapeutic and rehabilitative exercises, as well as to provide nutritional, dietary and lifestyle counseling.
Q. Besides obtaining an undergraduate education, what other training is required to become a doctor of chiropractic?
A. One must attend a 4 year program of study in which the first 2 years are basically identical to mainstream medical school. The final two years focuses on spinal manipulation with clinical training. Mixed in throughout the four years are classes on the art, science, and philosophy of chiropractic. There is no residency training, but one must pass national board examinations before state licensure is possible.
For your knowledge…There are 18 programs and institutions that hold accredited status with the Council on Chiropractic Education. In addition, doctors of chiropractic are self-employed. If the practitioner enters independent private practice, a wide choice of locations is available in any type of community, city, town or rural area.
Q. What do you believe is the biggest challenge facing the field of chiropractic medicine today?
A. The biggest challenge facing this field is essentially gaining credibility and acceptance in the mainstream public and professional world. There is too much disinformation and antagonism directed towards the two fields due to simple ignorance and misunderstanding.
For your knowledge…Doctors of chiropractic — who are licensed to practice in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and in many nations around the world — undergo a rigorous education in the healing sciences, similar to that of medical doctors. In some areas, such as anatomy, physiology, rehabilitation, nutrition and public health, they receive more intensive education than their MD counterparts.
Q. Many people consider chiropractic medicine as "alternative medicine”. Would you agree?
A. Chiropractic/naturopathy can be both alternative and/or complimentary to allopathic medicine depending on the practice and approach. If one chooses to take a natural approach to a high blood pressure instead of a medication then that would be considered alternative. If one chooses to take a natural approach to a high blood pressure while at the same time taking a medication then that would be complimentary.
Q. What are your hopes/desires for the future of chiropractic medicine?
A. First and foremost I would like to see complete legal and insurance coverage for chiropractic medicine. Although chiropractic is licensed in all 50 states, the insurance coverage is limited and in no way compares to allopathic medicine.
For your knowledge… As part of legislation overhauling the 38-year old Medicare program -- passed by the House of Representatives on November 22nd and the Senate on November 24th, 2003 - President Bush authorized a two-year pilot project designed to test expanded access to chiropractic services for America's seniors.
Q. If someone wants to find a doctor of chiropractic, how should they do so?
A. The best resource is one's state chiropractic association, which will have a directory of all licensed chiropractors in the state.
For your knowledge… the American Chiropractic Association has a searchable database available on their website to find a D.C. in your area:
http://www.acatoday.com/search/memsearch.cfm
Q. Please tell us a little more about your background.
A. I studied biomedical engineering and was also pre-med in undergrad with my initial focus being traditional medical school mainly due to parental/social influence. I became interested in alternative and natural medicine near the end of undergrad and became convinced of my path after assisted a chiropractor after graduation for several months. I enrolled at Logan College of Chiropractic Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri. After graduating from there in 1999 I studied at Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine in Phoenix, Arizona until 2003. I then moved back to Nashville, Tennessee and worked as an associate doctor to various doctors over the course of 2 years. I then opened my own practice in 2005 which blends chiropractic and certain elements of naturopathy such as homeopathy and botanical medicine.
Q. How can one get in contact with you for more information on chiropractic medicine or for treatment?
A. Contact info:
Karuna Center for Natural Healthcare
2933B Berry Hill Drive
Nashville, TN 37204
615-500-4679
www.karunacenter.com
drsumanc@karunacenter.com
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i went to a chiropractic doctor to have my back treated a few years back. my upper back was bothering me after a bad massage. certain movements would cause a very sharp pain. i decided to go to a chiropractic doctor and had a very pleasant experience. my doctor diagnosed the situation and performed the first treatment on my first visit. my back felt much better after the second visit, and was completely back to normal after the fourth or fifth visit. of course, results are dependent on each individual situation.
the entire experience was very positive - in terms of the atmosphere at the doctor's office, the diagnosis process and also the treatment. my doctor also showed me some exercises that proved very helpful.
i have some friends who are medical doctors, and i was surprised at the overwhelming negative views that they all had about chiropractic doctors. i am glad that i spoke to them about it after my visit with my chiropractic doctor because i was able to approach my visit in an objective manner and had a very positive experience. i don't know if i would have gone if i had spoken to my MD friends first. as the article mentions, these viewpoints are due largely to misinformation and ignorance about chiropractic medicine.