Chiropractic
/ˌkaɪ.roʊˈpræk.tɪk/noun
A system of health care that focuses on diagnosing and treating musculoskeletal disorders, especially of the spine.
Did you know?Chiropractic was coined in the 1890s from Greek roots meaning “done by hand,” a modern invention with an old-language spell cast into its name.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
χείρ (cheír)
“hand”
Ancient Greek
Greek
πρᾶξις (prâxis)
“action, practice, doing”
1890s
English
chiropractic
“a newly coined term for a manual healing system”
Modern English
English
chiropractic
“a health care practice focused on spinal and musculoskeletal adjustment”