Roberts1
Zoë Roberts
Jessica Camargo
English: 1101- 035
November 7, 2012
Biology is the study of life; living things include both the visible world of animals and plants, as well as the invisible world of bacteria. Organisms have an enormously complex organization, starting with the intricate systems of the basic unit of life, the cell. Life grows and develops, this means more than just growing larger in size. Living organisms have the ability to rebuild and repair themselves when injured. The foundation of biology as it exists today is based on five key principles, which are, cell theory, gene theory, evolution, homeostasis and laws of thermodynamics. Cell theory is the idea that all living organisms are composed of cells, gene theory is the idea that traits are inherited through gene transmission, evolution looks at any genetic change in a population that is inherited over several generations, homeostasis is the ability to maintain a constant internal environment in response to environmental changes, and lastly, thermodynamics is the idea that energy transformation in not completely efficient (“Biology- The Study of Life”). With these five principles we are able to look at a variety of different topics and discover new solutions to problems.
The study of biology is helpful in many health occupations considering that it focuses on multiple topics of human life. Chiropractors, also known as doctors of chiropractic or chiropractic physicians, diagnose and treat patients. The patients chiropractors treat usually have issues of the musculoskeletal system and treat the effects of those problems on the nervous system and on general health. Many chiropractic treatments deal specifically with the spine and the manipulation of the spine. The chiropractic practice is based on the principle that misalignments in the spine can interfere with the nervous system causing lower resistance to disease which can diminish health (“Optimum Health Chiropractic”). Chiropractors provide natural, drugless, nonsurgical health treatments, relying on the body’s repairing abilities. Like other health occupations, chiropractors follow a standard routine to record patients data needed to diagnose and come up with a treatment plan for patients. Some chiropractors use additional practices to help with treatments though, including therapies using heat, water, light, massage, ultrasound, electric currents, and acupuncture.
In the United States, individuals must complete at least two years of an undergraduate degree. More specifically, students must complete at least 90 credit hours of schooling and undertake various courses in Biology, Psychology, Physics, Organic and Inorganic Chemistry, English and Social Studies or the Humanities.During the first two years enrolled at a chiropractic school, most chiropractic colleges will introduce the basics for aspiring chiropractors. The schools will cover the subjects of microbiology, physiology, pathology, biochemistry, anatomy and public health through course and laboratory work. The third and fourth years of Chiropractic College are more “hands on” which is important when applying spinal adjustment and manipulation. Further, students participate in patient and laboratory diagnosis learning about clinical orthopedics, neurology, physiotherapy, geriatrics, and nutrition. After completing the four years a Chiropractic College, students are awarded with the Doctor of Chiropractic Degree designation. Many successful applicants to a Chiropractic College often do complete a four-year degree (“How to Become a Chiropractor”).
Once you have completed all the requirements needed to become a chiropractor and you have acquired a license in chiropractic practices you will definitely be adapted to the specific jargon chiropractors use. Specific jargon, especially vocabulary terms, are essential to know when you have obtained an occupation as a chiropractor. Chiropractors are expected to know specific healing techniques like the Full-spine technique which is the method of adjusting or manipulating any of the vertebrae from the neck down. Chiropractors are also expected to know specific methods, testing, and procedures and the numerous manipulation styles there are in the chiropractic field of interest.
Chiropractor's most common use of text in their career is patient notes. Chiropractors use a list of abbreviations they can make while taking patient notes in order for other chiropractors and insurance companies to understand what is going on with their patient. Chiropractors are also legally required to make notes of the appointments. If a doctor does not complete his or her patient's note, they could end up dealing with a lot of financial compensation if the insurance companies catch them. Chiropractors use a format called SOAP notes.The SOAP note style has four key points that are required to be on a not; subjective, objective, assessment, and plan. Every chiropractor's note will have those four sections. Subjective is written normally by the patient or the chiropractic assistant describing the overall issue of a patient and their concerns. The rest of the note is written by the doctor after a series of evaluations. Objective highlights the key problems of the patient from basic observations. Assessment discusses how the doctor would diagnose the patient’s symptoms after a closer examination. Lastly, the doctor comes up with the best plan for improving the injury or the health of a patient (“chiroPractically Nutrition Discourse Community”). Another common text chiropractors face are articles, journals, and other sources that people receive information from for the newest, updated outlooks on how to improve patient health problems. Chiropractors must do their best to keep up on the latest studies and discoveries to give proper information and plan of action to their patients.
My interest in becoming a chiropractor developed at a young age when I was involved with multiple sports which brought multiple injuries and numerous visits to the chiropractor. With my strong interest in becoming a chiropractor I now understand more of what all goes into becoming a successful chiropractor. Biology is a huge part of chiropractic practices knowing what affects the human body in a negative or positive way is how biology is used in this specific field of interest. The requirements needed to becoming a chiropractor are challenging; a lot of focus and discipline is needed to complete the necessary requirements. You are expected to be organized when you are a chiropractor as it is mandatory to keep up with patient history and take notes with each patient visit. Your knowledge as a chiropractor never meets an end point since most chiropractors are continuously informed from articles and journals and much more factors.
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Hanson, Kristin J. "ChiroPractically Nutrition Discourse Community." Wiki.sdstate.edu. South Dakotah State University, n.d. Web. Nov. 2012.
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"How to Become A Chiropractor." Find a Chiropractor. N.p., n.d. Web. Nov. 2012. <
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"Optimum Health Chiropractic."- FAQ. N.p., n.d. Web. Nov. 2012. <
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