Chiropractors Treat Common Symptoms Chiropractors treat a range of symptoms related to the spine. These symptoms can be found in most areas of the body.
Upper, Mid or Low Back Pain
Neck Pain & Stiffness
Shoulder Pain
Numbness/Tingling
Chest Pain
Extremity Pain (Arm & Leg)
Hip Pain Knee Pain Ankle/Foot Pain
Headaches
Conditions While chiropractors treat literally hundreds of very specific conditions, these listed here are the most common conditions where patients seek relief using chiropractic treatments. (Check with your health plan to make sure you are covered for a specific condition.)
Disc Herniation
Sciatica
Muscle Spasm
Pinched Nerve
Tendonitis
Stress
Fibromyalgia
Ear Aches
Sprains/Strains
Scoliosis
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Discomfort Caused by Pregnancy
Arthritis
TMJ Syndrome/Dysfunction
Injuries Chiropractors are trained to help patients who suffer from pain related to very common situations.
Whiplash
Sports Injuries
Slips & Falls
Work Injuries
Car Accidents
Whatever the injury, chiropractors assist patients with a combination of active and passive care. Active care requires patient involvement (e.g., stretching, strengthening, biofeedback). Passive care involves treatment given to the patient (e.g., spinal manipulation, ultrasound, massage).
SPORTS INJURIES Often, sports injuries can be prevented with proper conditioning, ample water intake, proper training techniques, and warm-up and cool-down actions.. Still, when injuries do occur, chiropractors help ease the pain of strains and sprains, tendinitis, overuse syndromes, and stress fractures using active and passive care.
WHIPLASH
Whiplash is a generic term applied to injuries of the neck caused when the neck is suddenly jolted in one direction and then another, creating a whip-like movement. Whiplash is commonly seen in people involved in car accidents, but it can also occur from falls, sports injuries, work injuries, and other incidents. A chiropractor helps speed healing through the right combination of active and passive care.
Child Back Health Chiropractic is just as important for children as it is for adults. The habits they form now can affect the rest of their lives. Here are some tips about how to implement good back health in your child's daily life. As a parent, you should lead by example and take note of these areas: Posture Backpack control Sports
About Chiropractic Care
What is chiropractic care? Chiropractic care is a health care profession based on interactions of the spine and nervous system, as well as the surrounding muscles. Doctors of Chiropractic (also known as chiropractors) focus on non-invasive, drug-free treatments for a variety of systems and conditions that may include: back pain, neck pain, sciatica, headaches, migraines, joint pain, strains and sprains, soft tissue disorders (Note: This list is not inclusive of every spinal condition treated with chiropractic care. Talk directly with a chiropractor to determine if he or she treats your specific spinal condition.) Chiropractic care is an important tool that helps you get back to enjoying life. Beyond reducing pain, spinal adjustments enhance the ability of the nervous system to function at an optimal level.
What Can I Expect on My First Visit to a Dr. of Chiropractic? The first thing a chiropractor will do is ask you about the health complaints about which you are chiefly concerned. The DC will also ask about your family history, dietary habits, other care you may have had (chiropractic, osteopathic, medical, etc.), your job, and other questions designed to help determine the nature of your illness and the best way to go about treating the problem. A physical examination will be performed in accordance with your DC's clinical judgement, which may include x-rays, laboratory analysis and other diagnostic procedures. In addition, a careful spinal examination and analysis will be performed to detect any structural abnormalities which may be affecting or causing your condition. All of these elements are important components of your total health profile, and vital to the doctor of chiropractic in evaluating your problem. An "adjustment," a term doctors of chiropractic use, means the specific manipulation of vertebrae which have abnormal movement patterns or fail to function normally. Doctors of chiropractic spend years learning motion palpation (the art of examining by movement or touch) and other forms of spinal examining procedures, so that they can administer specific and appropriate spinal adjustments. Once the DC has identified the problem, he/she will begin care by way of these adjustments or "manipulations." Particular attention will be paid to that area of your spine where a spinal derangement or "subluxation" has been detected. The adjustment is usually given by hand or "activator" type instruments, and consists of applying pressure to the areas of the spine that are out of alignment or that do not move properly within their normal range of motion. Doctors of chiropractic use many sophisticated and varied techniques, and the specific procedure to be used will be determined and explained completely to you following a careful evaluation of your x-rays and physical findings. Under normal circumstances, adjustments don't hurt. The patient may experience a minor amount of discomfort during the adjustment which lasts only seconds. Adjustments or manipulations are extremely safe. The risk factor is estimated to be in excess of 1 million to 1.
How Can I Find the Chiropractor Best for Me? Finding the right doctor of chiropractic is similar to finding the right dentist or medical doctor. Consideration must be given to technique, expertise, specialty and various subjective issues such as personality, communication skills and health care philosophy. The best way to find a chiropractor is check with friends, neighbors and co-workers who may recommend one doctor of chiropractic over another. Schedule an appointment, Let the doctor know of your needs and your long-term health goals. The doctorwill examine you and share his/her findings. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. In numerous studies, doctors of chiropractic have been shown to be among the most patient-centered health care providers. Usually, within the first few visits you'll know if this is the chiropractor for you.
Chiropractic Philosophy The chiropractic perspective on health and disease emphasizes two fundamental concepts:
the structure and condition of the body influences how the body functions and its ability to heal itself; and
the mind-body relationship is instrumental in maintaining health and in the healing processes.
Although chiropractic shares much with other health professions, its emphasis and application of philosophy distinguishes it from modern medicine. Chiropractic philosophy gravitates toward a holistic ("total person") approach to healing which combines elements of the mind, body and spirit, and maintains that health depends on obedience to natural laws, and that deviation from such laws can result in illness.
Chiropractic Philosophy includes:
emphasis on patient recuperative abilities rather than surgery
recognition that dynamics exist between lifestyle, environment and health
understanding the cause of illness in order to eliminate it, rather than simply treat symptoms
recognition of the centrality of the nervous system and its intimate relationship with the capacities of the human body
balancing benefits versus risks of clinical interventions
recognition of the primary importance of monitoring progress closely through appropriate diagnostic procedures
a patient-centered, hands-on approach focused on influencing function through structure
focus on early intervention emphasizing timely diagnosis and treatment of conditions that are wholly functional and reversible
Chiropractic philosophy blends an effective combination of conviction, critical thinking, open-mindedness, and appreciation of the natural order of things. Chiropractic focuses on the establishment and maintenance of a relationship between patients and their environment which is most conducive to functional well-being.
Chiropractic Licensure and Education There are currently 16 chiropractic colleges in the United States, ten of which were established prior to 1945. Over 14,000 young men and women attend these chiropractic colleges each year. Since 1974, standards for chiropractic education have been established and monitored by the Council on Chiropractic Education (CCE), a nonprofit organization located in Scottsdale, Arizona. Recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as the specialized accrediting agency for chiropractic education, the CCE sets the standards for the curriculum, faculty and staff, facilities, patient care and research. Admissions requirements of chiropractic colleges are influenced by CCE standards and chiropractic licensing board requirements. A minimum of two years of undergraduate education is required, with successful completion of courses in biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, psychology, English/communication and the humanities. Each required science course must also include a laboratory unit. Sixty credits or more must be completed prior to admission to a chiropractic college. Two colleges currently require 75 units, and one college requires 90 units. Currently, six state licensing boards require a bachelor's degree in addition to the doctor of chiropractic degree for licensure, and that number is continually on the rise. A chiropractic program consists of four academic years of professional education averaging a total of 4,822 hours of course work. Several areas of study are emphasized during the course of chiropractic education:
adjustive techniques/spinal analysis
principles/practices of chiropractic
physiologic therapeutics
biomechanics
The practice of chiropractic is licensed and regulated in all 50 states in the U.S. and in over 30 countries worldwide. State licensing boards regulate, among other factors, the education, experience and moral character of candidates for licensure, and protect the public health, safety and welfare. The National Board of Chiropractic Examiners (NBCE) was established in 1963 and functions quite similarly to the National Board of Medical Examiners. The NBCE maintains consistency and fairness among the state licensing boards. The NBCE also administers the national board examination necessary to practice as a chiropractor.