Nationwide Directory of
Iranian-American Chiropractors

Message from the Editor

Chiropractic is a form of alternative medicine that emphasizes diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mechanical disorders of the musculoskeletal system, especially the spine, under the hypothesis that these disorders affect general health via the nervous system. It is generally categorized as complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), a characterization that many chiropractors reject. Although chiropractors have many attributes of primary care providers, chiropractic has more of the attributes of a medical specialty like dentistry or podiatry. The main chiropractic treatment technique involves manual therapy, including manipulation of the spine, other joints, and soft tissues; treatment also includes exercises and health and lifestyle counseling. Traditional chiropractic assumes that a vertebral subluxation or spinal joint dysfunction interferes with the body's function and its innate intelligence,a vitalistic notion that "brings ridicule from the scientific and health care communities and confusion within the chiropractic profession."

D.D. Palmer founded chiropractic in the 1890s, and his son B.J. Palmer helped to expand it in the early 20th century.

It has two main groups: "straights", now the minority, emphasize vitalism, innate intelligence and spinal adjustments, and consider vertebral subluxations to be the cause of all dis-ease; "mixers" are more open to mainstream and alternative medical techniques such as exercise, massage, nutritional supplements, and acupuncture.

Chiropractic is well established in the U.S., Canada and Australia and is the third largest health profession, behind medicine and dentistry.

And remember: Before calling the car accident lawyer,you go see your chiropractor.

One of Us :: Hossain Zahedi

Q. Please introduce yourself.

A. My name is Hossein Zahedi, and I am a doctor of chiropractic.

Q. Are you, Iranian by any chance?

A. By all chances, I am!

Q. What is chiropractic, anyway?

A. Chiropractic is the science, art and philosophy that concerns itself with the restoration of good health by restoring and maintaining a properly functioning nervous system, without the use of drugs or surgery.

Q. I don’t remember having heard of it back in Iran.

A. That’s because you have been away too long. There are about 60 chiropractors currently working in Iran.

Q. Who qualifies as a Doctor of Chiropractic?

A. Students seeking to become a Doctor of Chiropractic must obtain a baccalaureate degree in pre-med studies (minimum 3 years) at a university prior to admission into chiropractic school.

Once accepted into chiropractic school, the student will endure four (4) years of intense study in anatomy, neurology, physiology, nutrition, and pathology.

Q. Any facts about people who go to chiropractors?

A. Top 5 occupations that are likely to have back pain: Office worker, Nurse, Driver, Laborer, & Child Care Worker. I am always adjusting them.

Q. Keep adjusting us, Doc.

A. Will do!