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Naprapathy Albuquerque

What is Naprapathy?
(nuh·pra·pa·thee)

     Naprapathy is a specialized field of healthcare that centers on the assessment and management of neuromuscular ailments. Unlike chiropractic or physical therapy, naprapathy employs a more delicate method when it comes to bone manipulation, placing significant emphasis on preparing and addressing soft tissues.

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     Naprapathic medicine includes the diagnosis and treatment of persons with connective tissue disorders through the use of

  • Special techniques

  • Review of case history

  • Examination

  • Palpation

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And the treatment of a person by the use of:

  • Connective tissue manipulation

  • Exercise

  • Postural counseling

  • Nutritional counseling

  • The application or use of

    • Heat (heat packs, paraffin wax, etc.)

    • Cold (ice packs, ice massage, etc.)

    • Light (infrared light therapy)

    • Water 

    • Radiant energy (x-rays, MRI, etc.),

    • Electricity (tens units, E-stim),

    • Sound (ultrasound, shockwave, etc.)

    • Air (percussion tools e.g. massage guns)

  • The use of assistive devices for the purpose of preventing, correcting, or alleviating a physical disability

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     A naprapath specializes in effectively addressing a wide range of physical conditions, including contractures, muscle spasms, inflammations, scar tissue formation, adhesions, lesions, laxity, hypotonicity, rigidity, structural imbalances, bruises, contusions, muscular atrophy, partial separation of connective tissue fibers.

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     Naprapathy stands out as a sustainable and holistic approach to pain management. By considering the entire body, it tackles chronic pain at its root cause, as well as identifies the underlying factors contributing to injuries. Moreover, each visit to a naprapath encompasses a comprehensive focus on pain and injury prevention, ensuring a well-rounded and proactive approach to maintaining optimal well-being.

Dr. Oakley Smith

Dr. Oakley Smith

date unknown

The Backbone Albuquerque

Cover of the first issue of the Backbone published by the (ASC&NC)

History of Naprapathy

 Dr. Oakely Smith

 

      Naprapathy was formally established in 1907 by Dr. Oakley Smith, an early chiropractor, and pupil of Daniel David Palmer (D.D. Palmer), renowned as the pioneer of modern chiropractic.

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     During an educational expedition across Europe, Dr. Oakley Smith encountered manual therapeutic practices that were deeply rooted in the esteemed Bohemian (Czech Republic) healing tradition. Eager to expand his knowledge, Dr. Smith conducted extensive interviews with Bohemian immigrants, unveiling a striking revelation that the chiropractic techniques he had acquired, albeit distinctly dissimilar to contemporary practices, had been assimilated by D.D. Palmer.

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     In light of his meticulous research and insightful interviews, Dr. Smith collaborated with fellow chiropractors to publish "A Textbook of Modernized Chiropractic" in 1906, which introduced the concepts that would later be recognized as Naprapathy. Demonstrating a commitment to advancing this novel discipline, Dr. Smith subsequently established the Oakley Smith School of Naprapathy in Chicago in 1907, marking the inception of the first educational institution dedicated to naprapathic medicine.

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     Through Dr. Oakley Smith's unwavering commitment to rigorous exploration and his tireless efforts to disseminate knowledge, naprapathy emerged as a distinct field, embodying a unique blend of traditional healing wisdom and modernized therapeutic concepts.

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Why is it called naprapathy?

 

      Dr. Smith honored the Bohemian culture by incorporating the Czechoslovakian term "napravit," which signifies "to correct or fix." Drawing inspiration from this word, he combined it with the Greek term "pathos" (meaning to suffer, be affected, or feel) to coin the term "naprapathy," which can be understood as "correcting suffering."

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Why "The Backbone"?

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     During the early 1900s, before the establishment of naprapathy, Dr. Smith and his colleagues were involved with the American School of Chiropractic & Nature Cure (ASC&NC) located in Iowa. As pioneers in their field, they played a pivotal role in launching the inaugural professional journal for chiropractors called the Backbone.

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