The American Naprapathic Association
(ANA) is the nation's oldest and largest association of Naprapaths. Founded in 1907, the ANA is a non-profit organization whose members are dedicated to protecting, preserving, promoting and expanding the manual
medicine discipline of Naprapathy in all of its endeavors.
Membership is open
to all individuals with a Doctor of
Naprapathy (D.N.) degree or who is otherwise licensed to practice Naprapathy in their State. There are also affiliated memberships and student memberships available. All of our members have a strong
commitment to the philosophy, art and science of manual medicine and sound holistic nutritional advice.
Membership in this
organization provides a multitude of benefits. First and foremost, the ANA monitors and fights legislation that could
limit you from practicing your profession.
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.
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, Naprapathic students and interns, and members of the general public and/or allied professionals who wish to support the Naprapathic profession.
Naprapathic Medicine is a system of health care that employs Manual
Medicine, Nutritional Counseling and Therapeutic Modalities, specializing in
the Treatment of pain caused by Connective Tissue Disorders. Naprapaths are often referred to as Neuromyologists.
Connective tissue supports and contains the structures of the entire body, including the spinal
column, and surrounds muscles and all joints and all articulations of the body.
It includes ligaments, tendons, fascia, inter-vertebral discs, and cartilage.
A connective tissue disorder as treated by Naprapathic care can be characterized
by abnormally rigid and/or contracted (strained) ligaments, tendons and related
muscles. Disorders such as these may create interference with the nerve pathways, in
addition to impeding circulation of blood and lymph. When this occurs, it often results in pain
and inflammation to the affected area of the body.
Causes of connective tissue disorders may include traumatic injury - including car
accidents, sports injuries, and falls, repetitive motion syndrome, such
as work-related computer or machine use, heavy lifting and improper posture.
Doctors of Naprapathic Medicine are connective tissue specialists and often use
a three-fold strategy in the Naprapathic treatment of connective tissue disorders.
Naprapathic Manual Medicine: Hands-on (gentle) connective tissue
manipulation (CTM) to the spine, joints and articulations of the body.
Nutritional Counseling: Recommendations for dietary changes, food
supplementation (as through the use of herbs, vitamins and minerals) to assist
the body in achieving optimal health.
Therapeutic Modalities: 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 include ultrasound, electric stimulation and
low-level laser therapy (also known as cold laser therapy).
Some common musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders successfully treated through Naprapathic Medicine include:
