chiropractic

noun
chi·​ro·​prac·​tic | \ ˈkī-rə-ˌprak-tik How to pronounce chiropractic (audio) , ˌkī-rə-ˈprak-\

Definition of chiropractic

: a system of noninvasive therapy which holds that certain musculoskeletal disorders result from nervous system dysfunction arising from misalignment of the spine and joints and that focuses treatment especially on the manual adjustment or manipulation of the spinal vertebrae Some mainstream doctors may view it as a fringe treatment, but chiropractic is more commonly covered by insurance than any other type of alternative care.— Elizabeth R. Agnvall

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Other Words from chiropractic

chiropractic adjective
Chiropractic treatment involves manual spinal adjustments to unblock the flow of energy and blood to the nervous system; it can also include nutritional counseling and stress management. — Corynne Corbett

Examples of chiropractic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

An athletic performance and recovery area will have metabolic assessments, nutrition coaching, sports and athletic recovery treatments, and chiropractic and physical therapy care. Hannah Kirby, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Life Time plans to create more than 200 jobs in Brookfield at its new athletic lifestyle resort," 20 Aug. 2019 Instead, acupuncture and chiropractic adjustments are meant to be consistent practices in order to teach our bodies a new normal. T. Wise, Bon Appétit, "I Thought It’d Be Easy to Fix My Bad Posture—I Was Wrong," 7 Aug. 2019 Food is a major character: Crab shells crack at the tacky wedding banquet like backs at a chiropractic clinic. Joe Morgenstern, WSJ, "‘The Farewell’ Review: Tiptoeing Through a Family Charade," 11 July 2019 We are surrounded by people who profess their love of science and we are surrounded by things that are mostly made up and deep-dipped in pseudoscience: chiropractic, homeopathy, yoga, aromatherapy, reiki, the terror of GMOs and vaccines, etc. Kevin D. Williamson, National Review, "There’s No Such Thing as ‘Brainwashing’," 16 June 2019 There was obviously a reason why this relatively young group checked into a chiropractic clinic in the first place. Beth Mole, Ars Technica, "Debunked: The absurd story about smartphones causing kids to sprout horns," 21 June 2019 All of the individuals in the study—1,200 in total aged 18 to 86—were patients at the same chiropractic clinic. Emily Toomey, Smithsonian, "Cell Phones Are Probably Not Making Us Grow Horns," 20 June 2019 Quill receives both chiropractic and acupuncture treatments. Sallie Tisdale, Harper's magazine, "Catechism of the Waters," 10 June 2019 John Kosloski, 55, is charged with six counts of healthcare fraud for allegedly filing claims with insurers for chiropractic services that were not rendered, according to a news release. Mike Nolan, Daily Southtown, "Dolton chiropractor faces fraud charges in alleged insurance billing scam, feds say," 3 June 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'chiropractic.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of chiropractic

1899, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for chiropractic

chir- + Greek praktikos practical, operative — more at practical

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More Definitions for chiropractic

chiropractic

noun

English Language Learners Definition of chiropractic

: a method of treating people who are sick or in pain by pushing and moving bones in the spine and joints

chiropractic

noun
chi·​ro·​prac·​tic | \ ˈkī-rə-ˌprak-tik How to pronounce chiropractic (audio) \

Medical Definition of chiropractic

: a system of therapy which holds that disease results from a lack of normal nerve function and which employs manipulation and specific adjustment of body structures (as the spinal column)

Other Words from chiropractic

chiropractic adjective
chiropractor \ -​tər How to pronounce chiropractor (audio) \ noun

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