Did They Have Chiropractics In Ancient Greece?
Chiropractic care has been around much longer than you can imagine. Dating as far back as Ancient Greece, we have seen the benefits of chiropractic care discussed in many works from philosophers, to mathematicians, and even the earliest forms of scientists.
One source of information that we can look to regarding the chiropractic care and its benefits is Hippocrates. Known as the “father of medicine,” Hippocrates was the first member of Ancient Greek society to explore the ideas of medical methodology. Hippocrates investigated why the body is afflicted by disease and discovered that when disease occurs in the human body it is a natural process. Certain aspects of the environment enter the body, cause natural reactions, and the body fights pathogens as best as they can to restore normal health.
At the time when Hippocrates first began medical exploration he had many reservations regarding the current state of affairs in medicine, mainly in regard to the Cnidan School of Medicine. This school views disease as restricted to just the part of the body that was being impacted without a holistic approach that acknowledged the interconnected nature of disease and physiological problems.
Many of Hippocrates’ later works include mentions of chiropractic care, especially with respect to spinal manipulation and the potential it has to bring the body harmony and structural integrity. It is comforting for many in the medical field and in the chiropractic profession to know that despite the doubt that is cast on this discipline of alternative medicine’s effectiveness and efficacy, chiropractic care is rooted in ancient medical practices.
When medical professionals reach the level when they are ready to begin practicing, they are sworn in with the Hippocratic Oath. The name of this oath is not a coincidence, as Hippocrates had outlined many necessary ethical considerations for the practice of medicine. With these ethical considerations, all disciplines of medicine are tasked with upholding these ethical standards, and chiropractic care is no different.
Used under Creative Commons Licensing courtesy of Carmen Escobar Carrio