Chiropractic Curiosity - Straights vs Mixers

I met my husband Jim,  a Chiropractor,  several years ago.   My only experience with Chiropractors prior to meeting Jim was with a good friends  husband, who was a new/very young Chiropractor at the time.   She had taken me to visit him in his office and he had given me the whole "Chiropractic spiel".   My friend's husband  believed the cure for ALL diseases was in Chiropractic care, and he did not ascribe to the mainstream medical practices.   He believed mainstream medical practices was actually making us sicker.   He adjusted me and my family  a few times.     I must admit I felt better after the adjustment - it helped my headaches.  It also  seemed to "cure" my toddler son from his constant ear infections.    

Years later I met Jim.   I noticed Jim  would occasionally work with other medical doctors to help his patients. He also had additional therapies in his office that would help to relieve pain and speed healing.   This initially confused me because of my experience with my friend's husband.  Eventually though,   I learned about "straight" vs "mixed" Chiropractors which cleared up  my confusion.  No these terms do not describe a doctor’s sexual preference or the way he preferred his whiskey,  these terms delineate  Chiropractic differences in philosophy and scope of treatment.  

A straight chiropractor believes that misalignment of the spinal column, often referred to as vertebral  subluxations,  interfere with the body’s “innate intelligence”, which makes us vulnerable to illness. Straight chiropractors consider the medical diagnosis of disease to be unnecessary because they view these conditions as secondary effects of vertebral subluxations. In essence, they believe that disease symptoms will disappear once the underlying misalignment has been corrected properly.  Most straight chiropractors do not wish to have any association with mainstream health care. The number of straight chiropractors is estimated at only about 15 percent of doctors of chiropractic.

A chiropractic mixer takes a broader approach and is generally more comfortable with using modern diagnostics.   This means, in part, that they use imaging, tests and the patient’s description of their symptoms to help decide on a course of treatment. In addition to the traditional methods of adjustment, mixers tend to  use specially-designed machines in their practice, such mechanical adjustment tools and p wave therapy to more precisely treat problem areas.  They also may incorporate other therapies into his or her practice, such as inferential current, therapeutic massage, physical therapy, ultrasound therapy, decompression therapy, nutritional supplements, ice packs, and other remedies. They typically view their discipline as a type of “complementary and alternative medicine” and see themselves as an established part of the modern health care landscape. It would not be unusual, for instance, for a mixer to use x-rays to get an accurate view of your vertebrae, treat you with STIM therapy,  perform a traditional adjustment, then prescribe specific exercises for you to do at home to help speed healing.  Mixers like the concept of evidence-based medicine.Most chiropractors today consider themselves mixers.

It’s important to remember that each chiropractor—whether straight or mixer—will have his or her own unique approach to working with patients based on philosophy, education and experience.  Choosing a chiropractor is a very personal decision, and doing some research will help you to understand the range of options you have and to learn more about which ones might be right for you and your family.

Continue to check back in to learn where my journey takes me and to discover more about Chiropractic Care.