Naprapathy

Naprapathy was established in the 1900s by Dr. Oakley Smith, an osteopathic student and early
chiropractor. Dr. Smith was one in a handful of early chiropractors to study under Daniel David
Palmer (D.D. Palmer), considered to be the founder of modern Chiropractic. In time, Dr. Smith
developed his own theories on Palmer's concepts of vertebral subluxation, one which focused
more on healing and repairing connective tissue. Through extensive anatomical research, Dr.
Smith discovered that brous, or dense, connective tissues (ligaments, tendons, and muscles)
when damaged or over-used, led to a rigid, scar-like condition in the body that often interfered
and aggravated closely aligned nerves.
In 1907, after devising a system of treatment for evaluating and healing damaged connective
tissue, Dr. Smith founded the science of Naprapathy. Dr. Smith was an avid traveler. He liked
learning about other cultures and health care practices around the world. While traveling in
Czechoslovakia, he learned about an old healing practice called napravit. Dr. Smith observed the
practice of napravit and found it to be similar to the technique he had been developing in United
States, a gentle manipulation of constricted joints to loosen and relax.
In the Czechoslovakian language, napravit means "to correct, or x." Dr. Smith took "napra"
from napravit (to correct) and added the Greek word pathos (suffering, or pain) to coin the name
naprapathy, to correct suffering or pain. ( Naprapathic Medicine of New Mexico- History of
naprapathy, http://www.nmnm.org/index.php?page=history-of-naprapathy)
Naprapathy means to diagnose, treat and rehabilitate pain and functional disorders of the back,
neck, joints and muscles. The treatment combines different techniques like manipulation,
mobilization techniques, muscle stretching and massage. The purpose is to restore function in the
body. Its important to analyze and address the underlying cause of the problem.
Naprapathy is a form of treatment in manual medicine. With manual medicine means that you
rely on your own hands to examine and treat disorders in the joints, bones and muscles. The
specialty of the Dr of Naprapathy is to combine a high level of expertise in orthopedic medicine
with very good knowledge of the specific function in the muskuloskeletal system. This means
that a Naprapath has a wide knowledge, both theoretical and also clinical / practical skills. Soft
tissue blockages and muscle spasms appear because of for example psychological stress,
physical injuries, poor nutrition, repetitive movement, improper posture and compensations.
These blockages and spasms may cause impingement of the arteries, veins and also irritate
nerves as they exit the spinal column. All muscular and skeletal/ joint misalignment is addressed.
The goal of the treatment is to restore natural flexibility, mobility and release tension, leaving the
connective tissue elastic and in balance. This will relieve the pain, improve mobility, enhance the
blood flow, improve the nerve signals, and also the bodys own healing energy.
Naprapathy is characterized by a holistic aproach and focuses on finding the cause of the
symptoms. The manual treatment methods are often supplemented with preventive or
rehabilitative training/ exercises to help avoid future problems. Naprapathy is a method where
you first restore the function and then ensure that the patient receives the help to prevent, correct
or alleviate a physical disability.
What kind of clients/ patients are treated by a Dr of Naprapathy?
Naprapathy is a multifaceted operational area. The kind of clients/ patients that are treated varies;
Dr of Naprapathy treats from elite athletes to both older and younger patients. The problems can
be both acute and chronic. Common for all patients treated by the Naprapath is that they have
pain in joints, bones, muscles and ligaments.
What kind of symptoms are treated by a Dr of Naprapathy?
The first visit at a Dr of Naprapathy
The first visit is about 45 minutes and consists of a consultation and then treatment if the
naprapath thinks this is something in our operation area. The naprapath does an assessment to see
what interventions that can be done. The assessment is both functional and orthopedic, and then
based on the results would administer treatment like deep tissue massage, muscle activation,
stretching, joint mobilization, dry needling and followed by rehab/corrective training exercises.
How many treatments needed depends on the musculoskeletal disorder. Usually it takes 3-5
treatments but this is very individual. The ultimate benefits for our psychological and physical
health would be to have a treatment each week, but to keep your body in alignment and good
shape once every 4-6 week also makes a difference.
If you are interested in more information about treatments, questions or booking just get in
contact with Lii at Scandinavian Health & Performance:
Mobile: 056-1233017