W hile chiropractic has been lumped with such offbeat practices as crystal healing and shamanism, it has emerged as an effective medical therapy and has gained acceptance by mainstream physicians and the public.

Many perceptions of chiropractic are tainted by images of mysterious bone manipulations and outrageous claims for cures of serious illnesses.

Its responsible practitioners, however, explain chiropractic in less sensational terms.

The chiropractic approach treats the whole person, rather than just a particular injury or illness. It relies on neither drugs nor surgery and seeks to take advantage of your body’s self-healing processes and capacities for self-regulation.

Chiropractors also promote good body mechanics, nutrition and healthy relationships. These factors combined, they have found, play a major role in healing and keeping us well.

A TYPICAL VISIT

Most people initially seek a chiropractor because of a musculoskeletal problem, such as back pain, chronic muscle ache or the proverbial "crick" in the neck.

Chiropractors rely heavily on extensive patient histories. Your chiropractor will want to know about your work and exercise habits and how long you’ve had your particular problem.

Then, he/she will examine you thoroughly, just as a medical doctor would do.

You may also be X-rayed and have blood taken. A chiropractor emphasizes the importance of diagnosis.

His first task is to determine the nature of your complaint and, if it’s beyond the scope of his practice, to refer you immediately to an appropriate specialist.

Should the chiropractor decide to treat you, he may employ massage techniques designed to work on soft tissue and muscle.

He may use ice packs if there is swelling.

He may use ultrasound, to stimulate muscles and nerves through painless electronic vibration.

If your condition has impeded some movement, a chiropractor may manipulate nearby joints to restore the normal range of motion.

He will almost certainly advise you about exercise. If you incurred the problem working or during some other physical activity, he’ll have suggestions for less stressful ways of moving your body to prevent a recurrence.

It is, of course, spinal manipulation and adjustment for which chiropractic is best known.

The "backbone" of chiropractic therapy stems from the theory that our spines are integral to our health. Through manipulation, the spinal column can energize the nervous system and normalize body functions.

Spinal manipulation, however, is not always a necessity. And before such treatment, a responsible chiropractor will explain some potential problems with spinal adjustment.

FINDING A CHIROPRACTOR

Get a referral from someone you know. If you don’t know anyone who has visited a chiropractor, call your local chiropractic society for suggestions. Most chiropractors are members of the American Chiropractic Association in Washington, DC, www.amerchiro.org/.

Chiropractors are certified as chiropractic physicians in about half the states in the US. Being recognized as competent professionals in the medical community has been a longtime goal.

A GOOD CHIROPRACTOR SHOULD:

Do a health history and physical as part of your initial consultation.

Be trained to do spinal adjusting.

Be able to diagnose and, if necessary, refer you to the correct specialist.

Release you when you’re well without pressuring you for follow-up treatment.

Like any area of health care, chiropractic has its share of ambulance chasers and unscrupulous types. As a potential patient, you should be wary of chiropractors who:

Insist upon X rays, even if they don’t seem to be indicated by your problem.

Make "instant" diagnoses.

Schedule weekly or monthly visits without a clear explanation about their necessity.

Are reluctant or unwilling to refer you to other medical authorities or profess to be able to cure a suspiciously wide range of illnesses and injuries.