Did you know? Chiropractic is the fastest-growing and second-largest primary health care profession. There are approximately 60,000 Doctors of Chiropractic actively practicing in the United States. Chiropractic services in high demand. Millions of Americans routinely choose chiropractic services and this number is rapidly growing. Doctors of Chiropractic receive extensive, demanding professional education. To receive a degree to become a chiropractor, one must complete extensive undergraduate prerequisites and four years of graduate-level instruction and internship at an accredited chiropractic institution. Comprehensive knowledge of all systems of the body and diagnostic procedures enable chiropractors to thoroughly evaluate a patient, address disorders relating to the spine and determine the need for referral to other healthcare practitioners. Doctors of Chiropractic are primary health care professionals. According to the Center for Studies in Health Policy, "The chiropractor can provide all three levels of primary care interventions and therefore is a primary care provider, as are MD's. Chiropractors are gatekeepers to the healthcare system and an independent practitioner providing primary care services. The chiropractor's office is a direct access portal of entry to the full scope of service." Chiropractic is recognized by governmental healthcare programs. Chiropractic is included in Medicare, Medicaid, Federal Employees Health Care Benefits Programs, Federal Workers' Compensation and all state workers' compensation programs. Practice of Chiropractic is based on sound scientific principles. The existence of the nervous system as the primary control mechanism of the body is an undisputed scientific fact. Its relationship with the spine is the focus of the practice of chiropractic. When vertebrae of the spine become misaligned through trauma or repetitive injury, two major consequences will result: 1) range of motion becomes limited, and 2) spinal nerves emerging from the spinal cord are compromised. Chiropractors use the term subluxation to describe such disruptions. Interruption of nerve flow can eventually lead to pain, disability, and an overall decrease in the quality of life. Conversely, the removal of that interference has been shown to have significant, lasting health benefits. Through the adjustment of subluxations, the doctor of chiropractic endeavors to restore normal nerve expression. The body is then able to respond appropriately to any imbalance in the system, thus relieving symptoms and restoring health. Chiropractic is safe and effective. The chiropractic adjustment is a safe, effective and cost effective procedure which is performed each day nearly one million times. Chiropractic care is non-invasive, and therefore the body's response is far more predictable than its reactions to drug treatments or surgical procedures.   South Orange Chiropractic Center, along with all information provided, is for educational purposes only and is not an attempt to replace the need to seek healthcare services or to provide specific healthcare advice. We strongly encourage users to consult with their chiropractor or other qualified healthcare professionals for personal healthcare attention and answers to personal questions. South Orange Chiropractic Center 60 First Street South Orange, NJ 07079 Stephen Levine, D.C. E-Mail southorangecc@yahoo.com E-Mail: info@southorangehealth.org Phone: (973) 761-0022 Fax: (973) 761-1546   © 2001-2003 Healthy Practices, Inc. All rights reserved.