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The American Naprapathic Association (A.N.A.) is a non-profit organization whose mission is dedicated to protecting, preserving, promoting, and expanding the manual medicine discipline of Naprapathy in all of its endeavors.
The A.N.A. is the oldest, and largest professional association of Naprapaths in the United States. It was founded in the early 1907 and incorporated in Illinois in 1948 . Professional growth and success of the science and art of Naprapathy is paramount to our organization’s mission.
The A.N.A. seeks to collaborate with the National College of Naprapathic Medicine, Southwest University of Naprapathic Medicine, the Illinois Naprapathic Association, the New Mexico Naprapathic Association, and other professional associations dedicated to move the Naprapathic profession forward.
Membership of various levels is open to all individuals with a Doctor of Naprapathy (D.N.) degree, and/or a State License to practice Naprapathy, along with special rates for Naprapathic students and interns, and Diplomates of Naprapathy from unlicensed States, and/or allied professionals who wish to support the Naprapathic Profession.
Involves hands-on (gentle) connective tissue manipulation to the spine, joints and articulations of the body.
Recommendations for holistic dietary changes, food supplementation (as through the use of herbs, vitamins and minerals) to assist the body in achieving optimal health.
The use of the effective properties of physical measures of heat, cold, light, water, radiant energy, electricity, sound, air and assistive devices for the purpose of preventing, correcting or alleviating a physical disability. Modalities may include ultrasound, electric stimulation and/or photobiostimulation (also known as low-level laser or cold laser therapy).
Naprapathic Medicine is a specialized system of health care founded by Dr. Oakley Smith, DC, DN in 1907 that employs hands-on manual medicine, nutritional counseling and a wide variety of therapeutic modalities. Naprapathy focuses on conditions caused by contracted, injured, spasmed, bruised, and/or otherwise affected myofascial and connective tissue.
Naprapaths are Connective Tissue Specialists. Connective tissue supports and contains all of the integral structures of the entire body, including the tissue surrounding the spinal column and spinal cord, it envelopes muscles, organs, joints, and all of the articulations of the body. This unique gel-like tissue includes ligaments, tendons, fascia, intervertebral discs, and cartilage of which all can develop into a pathologic condition which responds well to Naprapathic intervention. Naprapaths have a very specialized and holistic approach to address connective tissue problems.
Connective tissue conditions treated by Naprapathic care can be characterized by abnormally rigid and/or contracted (strained) ligaments, tendons and the related muscles and fascia in many areas of the body. Conditions may exist where this contracted tissue may impede and create interference with the normal action of nerve pathways, in addition to affecting the proper circulation of blood and lymph. When this occurs, naprapathy contends that the result can be pain, inflammation, and restriction of normal movement of the affected area of the body and negatively affect vessels passing through these tissues.
Causes of these types of connective tissue problems may arise from traumatic injury – including car accidents, sports injuries, and falls. It is also known to result from repetitive motion syndromes, such as work-related computer or machine use, heavy lifting and also improper posture and other lifestyle factors and may be similarly affected by extreme temperature related events.
The American Naprapathic Association (ANA) is the oldest and largest association of Naprapathic Doctors. Established in 1909.
