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What Is Non-Therapeutic Straight Chiropractic?
The word "straight" has been used for chiropractic since the late 1800s. Back then, "straight" meant "undiluted, uncompromising"—like asking for liquor with nothing mixed in.
Today, "non-therapeutic straight chiropractic" (NTSC) describes a chiropractor with one single, exclusive objective: locate and correct vertebral subluxations.
One Objective, Nothing Mixed In
What We Do
We correct vertebral subluxations because they interfere with the full expression of life. They reduce the body's ability to coordinate function through the nervous system. We correct them not because they cause disease or are associated with any medical condition—but simply because the body works better without them.
What We Don't Do
We don't diagnose conditions. We don't treat symptoms. We don't prescribe anything. We don't mix chiropractic with physical therapy, massage, acupuncture, or nutritional supplements. And we don't claim subluxations are the cause of any particular disease.
Where Did This Come From?
Non-therapeutic straight chiropractic formally began in the mid-1970s with the creation of the Federation of Straight Chiropractic Organizations (FSCO). The term "Objective Straight Chiropractic" was coined in the 1994 book Refined By Fire: The Evolution of Straight Chiropractic by Joe Strauss, D.C.
The distinction was needed because even among "straight" chiropractors, some had added things that D.D. Palmer (the discoverer of chiropractic) and B.J. Palmer (the developer) never endorsed—like diagnosis. Over time, those "traditional straight" chiropractors drifted more toward the therapeutic model.
So the term "non-therapeutic" was added to make the difference clear.
The Simple Truth
Whether or not you have symptoms, you're better off without vertebral subluxations. That's the whole philosophy in one sentence.
If you're looking for someone to treat your back pain, a mixed chiropractor might be a better fit. But if you're looking for someone to check your spine and correct subluxations—simply because your body works better without them—then non-therapeutic straight chiropractic is for you.
Experience What Straight Chiropractic Means
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