The straights follow Palmer's doctrine that subluxations of the vertebrae can cause or contribute to most disorders, but they do not claim to be able to diagnose or treat diseases -only to detect and cure subluxations. The condition of vertebral subluxation Addressing vertebral subluxations Educating patients and advising them about subluxations. Mixers believe that diseases can develop from other causes, like bacteria and viruses. But they believe that subluxations affect the body's health by lowering resistance to disease. The deviation or malposition of a spinal vertebra may cause a neurological imbalance within the body, setting the stage for a lowered resistance.
Mixers comprise the majority of practitioners.
Their practice extends beyond the narrow focus on vertebral subluxation. They use a wider range of modalities as well as concepts from diverse health care traditions in their practice. Many integrate methods from other traditions. Individual chiropractors often develop their own unique reputation and synthesis of different traditions.