To OP, very cool work. And please don't let the above comments and upvotes discourage you. I assume you are aware of the perception of chiropractic and are still deciding to join that profession. If you are not aware of the perception, then the comment from /u/ibopm provides perfect examples of the statements that are said.
Though I don't believe this subreddit is the correct forum for a discussion on health, I would just like to make a few points. I am on mobile so please forgive the formatting.
Chiropractors analyze and diagnose misalignments between two bones. Using a manipulation, the bones can be either reset or released from their current malposition. With malposition, comes adhesions between tissue, which strengthen with time. Connective tissue build up. The adjustment breaks those adhesions, or begins to if they have gotten big enough.
Manipulations of the bones and more specifically the joints between bones, has been around for thousands of years. Ancient Chinese and European cultures used manipulation and bone setting techniques. Chiropractic is just a the latest manipulation therapy.
Yes the founders of chiropractic had "crazy ideas" about what chiropractic could do for patients. Those ideas no longer permeate in the profession and when taught in school, are taught in what equates to a history class. No science believed by the founders is taught. Chiropractors are no longer taught that adjusting a spinal segment will cure, let's say diabetes, or any other disorder or disease.
Are the mainstream techniques you're referring to the prescription of opiates. Yes, that is a much safer option. America is now dealing with the consequences of the over prescription of the mainstream techniques. Also, chiropractic is safer, and has better results short and long term, then any fusion, replacement, or any other invasive surgery.
Chiropractic has never paralyzed a patient. The amount of force required to break someone's vertebral bone and then puncture the spinal cord enough to paralysis someone would never be applied to the neck of a patient by a chiropractor. I have never seen a research paper done that has concluded that there is an increased chance of paralysis from a manipulation, above or below the shoulders.
There have been a small number, and by small number because the last I heard it was 2, reported stokes following an adjustment. Let me say that from what I know about both cases, one involved a young girl who had a condition that was not caught by her chiropractor on X-ray. The cerebral artery in her neck exited her spinal column and wrapped anteriorly around the transverse process. When given the adjustment, the artery was ruptured. Very unfortunate and sad truly. And I know that chiropractors are now trained to look for this condition, amongst other contraindications. I believe the other patient had an embolus that was dislodged following an adjustment. Another unfortunate accident hat should have never happened. Again signs and symptoms were missed. Do these accidents outweigh the good that can be done, and do they outweigh the number of deaths caused by mainstream techniques?
Chiropractors do not practice chiropractic medicine. There is a faction of chiropractors who want to incorporate medicine into their treatments. But as of now it is illegal and outside the scope of practice. So chiropractors practice chiropractic. It has its own system of analysis, diagnosis, and treatment. Medical doctors have their own analysis, diagnosis, and treatments. Some are the same, some are not.
Peer-reviewed research showing the benefits of chiropractic are published monthly. A quick search on ncbi or PubMed will show you. To say there is no research is completely wrong.
Chiropractors are now accepted by most medical doctors, especially the younger generations of doctors. Chiropractors are doctors of the musculoskeletal and nervous systems. They know those systems better than any other medical professional. And they should. Medical doctors focus more on the endocrine systems and biochemical pathways. They now trust chiropractors opinions on matters pertains to the ms system and nervous system. They've also seen the benefits it has for their patients.