Behavioral medicine for chiropractic physicians

The main purpose of the FDE was to write a textbook for chiropractic physicians that would acquaint them with the importance of recognizing psychopathological problems in their practice and with their patients; to assist the general practitioner of chiropractic in developing counseling skills that he or she could apply and which would benefit chiropractic patients, and for what reasons and purposes they might be used; to reorganize the impact of chiropractic techniques and modalities on their patient's emotional disturbances and its clinical value as well as restrictions as a body/mind therapy, as well as other body/mind modalities utilized in health psychology and behavioral medicine that are suitable for inclusion within chiropractic practice.;In order to accomplish this worthwhile goal, a considerable amount of research time was spent studying the father of chiropractic's writings and comparing some of his assertions with modern-day psychological research and theories.;Another purpose of the study was to demonstrate that many of D. D. Palmer's insights now have considerable scientific support.;Finally, the reason for this study, but certainly by no means the least, was to assist chiropractic doctors in being able to incorporate those principles and techniques of health psychology and behavioral medicine that are directly applicable into the practice of chiropractic.;A sub-purpose of the research study was to re-acquaint doctors of chiropractic with some of the early chiropractic principles of the chiropractic profession's founder, D. D. Palmer, and how they relate to modern-day health psychology. The reason for this is due to the limited exposure of D. D. Palmer's writings and theories that chiropractic students receive in chiropractic college and the low membership of chiropractic physicians in the official Association of Chiropractic History.;The method of investigation was to include a historical review of the chiropractic literature on mental and emotional health, psychology, and biostructural therapy and theory. This investigation also included a review of the psychological literature on constitutional psychology, behavioral medicine and health psychology as it could relate and be incorporated into chiropractic practice. Finally, the investigation included a review of the body/mind therapy literature in general.;Included within this study are a number of case histories and vignettes of chiropractic patients who have received behavioral therapy, health counseling, and were taught psychophysiological self-regulation, and the results of such therapy self-regulation. Regarding such case reports, it should be noted that all patients have given written consent for the publication of their histories. In some instances it was also found necessary to change certain identifying details of the patient to further protect his or her identity.;This project clearly demonstrates that behavioral medicine is suitable to chiropractic theory and practice and should be included both in general chiropractic practice and as a chiropractic specialty. Chiropractic physicians take an active role in the care and welfare of their patients. They want to encourage health, not illness behavior. In order to accomplish this worthy goal, it is important that they understand illness behavior and to encourage their patients so that will improve their health through their own efforts. However, factual health information isn't enough to enhance health behavior. Patients need to know how to give their patients such skills to do so.