Chiropractic is a branch of the health care sciences and is the third largest primary health care profession in the western world after conventional medicine and dentistry. At present, there are some 60 000 Doctors of Chiropractic in the world and 1 500 in the United Kingdom.

SCA Definition of Chiropractic (Adapted by the SCA from the Association of Chiropractic Colleges)

Chiropractic is a primary health care discipline, which emphasises the inherent recuperative power of the body to heal itself without the use of drugs or surgery.

The practise of chiropractic focuses on the relationship between the structure (primarily the spine) and function (as coordinated by the nervous system) and how that relationship affects the preservation and restoration of health. In addition, Doctors of Chiropractic recognise the value and responsibility of working in cooperation with other health care practitioners when in the best interest of the patient.

The Scottish Chiropractic Association continues to develop the unique and distinct profession of chiropractic that serves as a health care discipline for all. The SCA advocates a profession that generates, develops and utilises the highest level of evidence possible in the provision of effective, prudent and cost-conscious patient evaluation and care.

The basic concept of chiropractic relates to the fact that the nervous system controls all organs, tissues and cells of the body. When vital nerve communication pathways are interfered with, as can occur with a variety of structural and/or functional problems in the spine, pain and ill health can be the result. Research both within and outside the chiropractic profession now provides support for this concept.

Chiropractors locate areas of altered spinal function that may be causing nervous system interference and are particularly interested in a specific problem affecting the spine called, the vertebral subluxation.

SCA Definition of Subluxation (Adapted by the SCA from the Association of Chiropractic Colleges)

A subluxation is a complex of functional and/or structural and/or pathological articular changes that compromise neural integrity and may influence organ system function and general health.

An adjustment is the term used to describe the procedure in which
chiropractors use their hands or special adjusting instruments, to apply
a specific manual force to correct the subluxation and help improve the
function of the spine and nervous system.

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