Chiropractic Lingo- Demystifying Major Chiropractic Words and Phrases

Chiropractic– Do you know where the word Chiropractic comes from? The origin of the word is helpful to understanding the purpose of the profession. D.D. Palmer is known as the founder of Chiropractic, and he began administering spinal manipulations in 1895 based on his scientific understanding of anatomy, discovering that identifying and correcting interferences related to the spinal column could allow the body to better express improved health, even within the nervous system and the regulation of organ function. But what to call his revolutionary technique? The moniker Chiropractic eventually came from one of his early patients and close friends, Reverend Samuel Weed. Using Greek as the language root, cheir (hand) and praktos (done or practiced) become Chiropractic, translating to “Done by hand”.

Subluxation (A.K.A. Vertebral Subluxation)– The exact definition for what constitutes a subluxation is somewhat variable depending on which chiropractic philosophy or authority you ascribe to. The International Chiropractors Association (ICA) updated its definition in April 2025 as follows: “A chiropractic vertebral subluxation is a potentially reversible or preventable alteration of spinal motion segments from normal alignment or function associated with adverse neurophysiological activity that can be connected to whole person health. Simply put, it refers to a minor or major misalignment of the spine, which can be improved through targeted chiropractic care. Here at Life University (Life U), we ascribe the cause of subluxations to the 3 T’s.

The 3 T’s– The 3 T’s is a shorthand for the three recognized causes for subluxations- Thoughts, Traumas and Toxins. Thoughts refers to stressors, as well as belief systems, that generate conscious and unconscious mental and emotional distress that can manifest in adverse symptoms. Traumas are big and small events that affect the physical body, anything from bad posture to something as jarring as an intense car crash. Toxins are external substances that we interact with and can interfere with our body’s optimal functioning.

Vitalism– Life University’s educational and clinical philosophy is based on Vitalism – our recognition that the Universe itself is self-conscious, and as such, creates itself as a dynamic system wherein living organisms are self-developing, self-maintaining and self-healing. In short, chiropractors seek to facilitate the body’s natural ability to heal by removing interferences to that healing, because the body is brilliant and has that innate power from within. That is where our brand expression “Rise from Within” originates.

Chiropractic Adjustment– A chiropractic adjustment is a safe, controlled force applied to a joint to restore proper function and mobility, applied by or under supervision of a licensed chiropractor. Chiropractic adjustments can help alleviate and care for many health issues, such as allowing for restoration of normal range of motion, normalization of nerve function, relaxation of muscles prone to spasm, the decrease of harmful inflammation and much more. Commonly, adjustments are issued by hand with a swift but gentle thrust aimed at an intended specific joint location in order to restore function.

Palpation (A.K.A. Motion Palpation or Manual Palpation) – Chiropractors use visual cues and diagnostic tools like X-Rays to identify subluxations and tightness in the body. However, palpation is a primary diagnostic technique employed by chiropractors to directly feel and pinpoint areas of concern in the body, from inflammation to muscle contraction to resistance present in the body. Palpation and its many methods are an art form that require practice and specialized training to master.

Dis-ease– The word dis-ease as used in Chiropractic is a take on the word disease, but it is a point of differentiation that sets the chiropractic philosophy of whole health apart from the traditional medical model we see enacted today. In the standard medical model, a person presents with a symptom before a doctor prescribes medication or recommends surgery to address that symptom. Chiropractic takes more of a preventive approach, looking to find what the body needs to express health at its best potential. Dis-ease therefore is simply anything in the body that points to a less-than-optimal expression of health, a lack of ease, a presence of discomfort and disharmony. It is by no means a diagnosis, but rather a general term designed to get to the root of what the body needs, to hopefully set patients up for healthier outcomes and ideally prevent actual disease when possible.

Green Books– As described by the David D. Palmer Health Sciences Library Green Books Overview, the first Green Books were created by chiropractic founding father D.D. Palmer in 1906 and served as the first chiropractic textbook collection, added to in number by B.J. Palmer and faculty until 1963. Most of the confirmed Green Books recognized by Palmer College of Chiropractic in its master list bear a recognizable and attractive dark green binding. Interestingly enough, the saga of which texts truly qualify as a ‘Green Book’ and which don’t is a source of contention and confusion that has sparked decades of political and philosophical debate in Chiropractic.

National Boards– The National Boards, or the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners (NBCE) exams, are the required examinations that chiropractors must complete and pass in order to become a licensed chiropractor. In general, there are four pre-licensure exams that a prospective chiropractor must complete, in addition to a chiropractic education. These exams are Basic Sciences – Part I, Clinical Sciences – Part II, Clinical Competency – Part III, Practical Skills – Part IV. There are also specialty exams required for some specialties, as well as tailored state exams that vary based on the state the chiropractor wishes to practice in.

PAT-. Life University (Life U) is yet again leading the way in chiropractic education with the creation of PAT (Palpation and Adjustment Trainer). Developed by the University’s Dr. Sid E. Williams Center for Chiropractic Research (CCR), PAT is an anatomically accurate, technology-based mannequin with the look, feel, size and weight of an average person.

Anatomage Tables– Life University has the largest Anatomage Table virtual anatomy lab in the world, investing in top-notch anatomy education for the healthcare professionals of the future. An Anatomage Table is a life-sized, interactive 3D anatomy visualization and virtual dissection system. It utilizes actual human scans of cadavers, allowing for realistic dissection and exploration without the need of physical human tissue.

Speak Tradition– The Speak Tradition is more of a positive culture initiative that is University-wide, encouraging students, faculty and staff to make an effort to greet everyone they meet in the hallways and on campus. This fosters a genuine sense of community and well-being.

Lasting Purpose– Lasting Purpose is the foundational value of Life U conceived by Life U founder and first president Dr. Sid E. Williams. It is defined as living an inner-directed life, giving, doing, loving, serving, out of your own abundance.