About Chiropractic
What is Chiropractic?
Chiropractic is a healthcare field focused on disorders affecting the musculoskeletal and nervous systems and their impact on overall health. Chiropractic care primarily addresses common musculoskeletal issues such as back pain, neck pain, joint pain in the arms or legs, and headaches.
Chiropractors adopt a whole-person, patient-centered approach to enhance community health and wellness, helping individuals of all ages lead more active and fulfilling lives.
Why Choose Chiropractic?
Chiropractic is the third-largest primary healthcare profession, following medicine and dentistry. Chiropractors treat approximately 35 million Americans each year.
Chiropractors are licensed across all 50 states and the District of Columbia, and in many countries worldwide. They receive extensive training in healing sciences at institutions accredited by the U.S. Department of Education. Growing research supports the safety and effectiveness of chiropractic care, highlighting its natural, holistic, and cost-effective approach for various conditions.
Most health insurance plans, including major medical plans, workers’ compensation, Medicare, some Medicaid plans, and Blue Cross Blue Shield plans for federal employees, cover chiropractic services. Additionally, chiropractic care is widely used by athletes, dancers, and others to prevent and treat injuries and optimize health and performance.
What is Spinal Manipulation?
A common and well-known chiropractic procedure is spinal manipulation, also referred to as a “chiropractic adjustment.” The goal of spinal manipulation is to restore joint mobility by applying a controlled force to joints that have become restricted in movement due to tissue injury. This injury may result from a single traumatic event, like improper lifting, or from repetitive stress, such as poor posture over time. Injured tissues can undergo physical and chemical changes leading to inflammation, pain, and reduced function. Manipulation of the affected joints and tissues helps restore mobility, relieve pain and muscle tightness, and support tissue healing.
Although spinal manipulation rarely causes discomfort, patients might experience mild soreness or aching similar to post-exercise pain, which typically resolves within 12 to 48 hours. Compared to other pain treatments, such as over-the-counter or prescription medications, chiropractic care offers a conservative and effective alternative.
What is a Doctor of Chiropractic?
Doctors of Chiropractic (DCs), also known as chiropractors or chiropractic physicians, utilize a hands-on approach to healthcare, which includes patient examination, diagnosis, and treatment. Chiropractors possess extensive diagnostic skills and are trained to recommend therapeutic exercises, as well as provide guidance on nutrition, diet, and lifestyle.
DCs may use clinical examinations, laboratory tests, diagnostic imaging, and other methods to determine the suitability of chiropractic care. When necessary, they will refer patients to other healthcare providers or collaborate with them to address conditions that require different or additional treatments.
Chiropractic care can be the primary treatment for conditions like lower back pain, or it can complement other medical treatments by addressing musculoskeletal pain related to other health issues.
Chiropractors are regulated by state licensing boards and must adhere to state practice regulations. Their education involves completing a nationally accredited four-year doctoral program and passing national board exams to obtain a license. They must also engage in ongoing education to maintain their license.