The Doctor of Chiropractic may practice chiropractic in New York State following licensure. The New York State Education Law defines the practice of chiropractic as:
…the detecting and correcting by manual or mechanical means structural imbalance, distortion, or subluxations in the human body for the purpose of removing nerve interference and the effects thereof, where such interference is the result of or related to distortion, misalignment or subluxation of or in the vertebral column.
In accordance with this statutory definition, a Doctor of Chiropractic may:
- Analyze the body to determine nerve interference through appropriate manual or mechanical techniques, x-rays and other imaging procedures, clinical laboratory services, and instrumentation resulting in chiropractic
- Adjust and/or manipulate the bony segments of the human body;
- Employ mechanical and physiological therapeutics;
- Counsel patients regarding lifestyle habits, posture, exercise, diet, and stress.
Stress, to which the body cannot successfully adapt, regardless of its source, can produce biomechanical disorders. Such things as poor posture, fatigue, sedentary living habits, one-sided occupations or activities (e.g., waiting on tables), unusual or improper exertions, accidents, and other impact injuries also cause spinal subluxations. A slight, painless biomechanical distortion may gradually increase over months or years without noticeable symptoms until a seemingly innocent movement brings pain.
Since any condition or complaint may fall outside the legal scope of chiropractic treatment, the doctor of chiropractic may refer patients to other qualified health care professionals. Whenever warranted by the condition, chiropractic care may be offered at the same time a patient is in treatment with another health care professional.
