Since 1895, millions of Americans have turned to Doctors of Chiropractic for help with back and neck pain. Today, chiropractic is the third largest form of primary health care in the world, behind medicine and dentistry. Chiropractic is the leading form of alternative health care in the world. Yet, only 10% of the population receives chiropractic care. But with an emphasis on Wellness Care, the number of people who receive chiropractic care is expected to quadruple within the next 15 to 20 years. If you are considering chiropractic care as part of your overall health maintenance, the following information can be very useful.

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What is Chiropractic?

The term Chiropractic actually comes from a Greek term, which means, “by the hand.” Indeed, Doctors of Chiropractic take a hands-on approach to health care. Chiropractic has been referred to as an art and a science of things natural. Chiropractic Physicians focus on treating the spine and nervous system. The hallmark of chiropractic care is the treatment of what are called “Subluxations.” A subluxation is a misalignment, malposition, or lack of mobility of the spine which can contribute to altered nerve function. The Chiropractic Doctor will not treat nerve interference with medication. However, the Chiropractic Doctor will primarily use what are called “Adjustments” of the spine to physically restore spinal movement, normal posture, and proper nerve function. An adjustment is a treatment of the spine and other joints of the body done by hand or by instrumentation. Although the vast majority of research on chiropractic proves its effectiveness in the area of back and neck pain, research has also shown that chiropractic care can help you maintain a healthier balance in your body in regards to how your nervous system affects many bodily functions.

Chiropractic Care has been proved to be extremely safe, effective, and cost effective. In fact, malpractice insurance companies know the safety of chiropractic care and therefore, while most medical doctor’s malpractice premiums are soaring, Chiropractors pay very little for malpractice insurance. Additionally, chiropractic care has been shown by research to be more effective than certain pain medications and in many cases, it has been shown to be more effective than standard physical therapy. Additionally, several studies from the US and around the world have shown chiropractic to be more affordable than other forms of healthcare. The Mead Study from Britain revealed that for every $3 spent on back pain, $1 could have been saved if chiropractors had been used. The US Department of Defense showed that $25 million dollars could have been saved over a 5-year period with chiropractors treating backpain. The Manga Report from Canada proved that Doctors of Chiropractic should be considered “Gatekeepers” for lower back pain.

What training do Chiropractors have?

Doctors of Chiropractic have extensive training as Primary Care Doctors. Their training is comparable to any other kind of doctor. Initially, a prospective chiropractic student must have a minimum of 2-4 years of regular college training with a heavy emphasis on chemistry and biology. Once accepted into chiropractic college, a heavy emphasis is placed on the study of anatomy, spinal anatomy, neuroanatomy, physiology, biochemistry, histology, pathology, radiology, diagnosis, physiotherapy, adjusting techniques, and clinical internship. The DC degree program encompasses at least 240 doctorate level credit hours with over 4400 hours of classroom and clinical study. Chiropractic college consists of 9-12 trimesters, or 4-5 academic years. This was not always the case, however. Chiropractors educated more than 30 years ago, would not have as much education as a modern day Doctor of Chiropractic. Doctors of Chiropractic educated by a nationally accredited chiropractic college have a very thorough and rigorous education. Additionally, Chiropractic Physicians must pass intense National State Licensing Boards in order to practice Chiropractic. Be sure to always choose a Chiropractic Doctor who has met all of there requirements to practice and has successfully passed the licensing exams.

Are there different kinds of Chiropractors?

Today’s modern Chiropractic Doctors all have had the opportunity to receive a good education. But different doctors practice differently. Some chiropractors use instrumentation to adjust the spine. Some use hands on chiropractic techniques. Some chiropractors are gentler than others. Some chiropractors incorporate muscle relaxing therapies to help their adjustments feel smoother and to hold longer. Some chiropractors use modern x-rays when appropriate to see what they are adjusting. Some chiropractors use modern infrared scanners and computerized muscle testing to diagnose spinal and muscle imbalances. Be sure to choose a Chiropractor who offers a variety of treatments and state of the art diagnostics.

What happens during a chiropractic visit?

At a professional chiropractic clinic, you will be asked to complete a health history questionnaire. The doctor will review your history and will examine you using range of motion testing, orthopedic and neurological tests, and possible utilize hi-tech muscle and termographic diagnostics. Additionally, the chiropractic physician may recommend x-rays, if he or she feels it necessary.

Typically, the Doctor will consult with you personally by showing you your x-ray results and reviewing all of your examination findings with you. The Doctor will review with you whether or not you are a chiropractic case. If necessary, the Doctor can order further testing, like an MRI. Or the Chiropractic Physician will refer you to the appropriate Medical Doctor if you are not a candidate for chiropractic care. If you meet the criteria to benefit from chiropractic care, the Doctor will then recommend what type of treatment is necessary to achieve your health goals. At this point, you may decide to receive relief care or you may decide to pursue a corrective type of care. Corrective type of care can last for a couple weeks to a few months, but this can allow the chiropractor to work with you to achieve better alignment, movement, and to decrease the chances of further relapses in the future. It is always your choice to receive the type of care you feel is appropriate for you and your family. The doctor is there to work with you, but must make recommendations based upon his or her findings and experience.

Additionally, you should expect that the Doctor could provide you with a detailed report of the cost of the treatment. Typically, you should expect that going to a Chiropractor is affordable. If you are paying thousands of dollars out of pocket for chiropractic care, you may want to seek a second opinion. The Doctor and his or her staff should be able to work with you on an affordable financial arrangement.

How can you find a good chiropractor?

The best way to find a good Doctor is to ask friends and family whom they trust. Also, feel free to interview your prospective doctor. Find out about his or her education, experience, techniques, and fees. You may choose to seek a Doctor who takes a comprehensive approach to your care. Additionally, do not just choose your Doctor based upon who is on your “insurance provider list.” You should choose a Chiropractor based upon whom you can trust and who has your best interests at heart. Choose a professional Chiropractor and don’t settle for second best. After all, you and your family’s health is all that matters. You need a dedicated professional Doctor of Chiropractic to help take care of you. So do yourself and your family a favor, contact a local Doctor of Chiropractic and start enjoying the benefits of this time tested and research validated natural form of healthcare.

Information provided by Darby Chiropractic Clinic.