Who are chiropractors? What do they do?
A chiropractor is a licensed health professional who uses spinal adjustments to maintain good alignment of a patient's neuromusculoskeletal system, which includes their bones, nerves, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Besides lifestyle changes, chiropractors focus on the body's self-healing ability and do not prescribe pain medication. They believe spinal adjustment and realigning joints improve other body systems.
Chiropractic doctors examine a patient's spine and muscle reflexes, perform tests, and take X-ray scans to diagnose the patient's condition. They then suggest a treatment plan and monitor its effectiveness. A primary treatment method these doctors employ is chiropractic manipulation, which refers to adjusting a spinal joint by applying force with hands or instruments to align it in a specific direction.
A chiropractor can treat headaches, neck pain, and lower back pain. These are the most common issues for which people seek chiropractic adjustments. Chiropractic care is an excellent pain management aid. Licensed chiropractors ensure that the muscles surrounding the joints function properly.
Moreover, chiropractors can treat arthritic joint functioning. Depending on the arthritis type, they may offer gentle adjustments to mitigate muscle spasms and improve the range of motion.
Education and training of chiropractors
The Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) is a four-year degree completed after a three-four-year undergraduate program. Every state needs a chiropractor to earn a Doctor of Chiropractic degree, clear the examinations conducted by the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners, and attain a license to practice in that specific state.
In addition, these doctoral programs include training in life sciences such as physiology and anatomy. They offer supervised experience in preparing assessments, business training, and hands-on spinal adjustment methods.
While some states need background verification and examinations in that particular state's law about chiropractic, all states require continuing studies as an ongoing licensing condition.
What is a chiropractic adjustment?
A chiropractic adjustment, also known as spinal or joint manipulation, is a standard treatment for lower back pain. It aims to correct posture, reduce nerve irritability, increase range of motion, and improve physical functions.
A chiropractor uses special instruments or hands to apply a controlled force on a specific spinal joint in this procedure. The pressure pushes the joint beyond its range of motion, relieving pain, improving posture, and increasing spinal movement and physical functions. It is expected to hear popping and cracking as the chiropractor moves the joints during treatment.
A chiropractic adjustment is safe and effective when performed by a licensed and well-trained chiropractor. It helps improve muscle balance and restore joint functions. It also reduces undue stress on the immune system, significantly decreasing the risk of any diseases.
A few people may experience minor temporary side effects such as fatigue, pain in the treated body part, or headache. These are temporary symptoms that go away within a few days post-treatment. Chiropractors recommend various techniques to manage these symptoms effectively. Chiropractic adjustments can effectively treat spine-related conditions, back pain, neck pain, and headaches.
What are the most common chiropractic adjustments?
Over a hundred different types of chiropractic adjustment techniques are used worldwide. Chiropractors usually use eight to ten adjustment techniques to restore or enhance joint function and relieve pain. Chiropractic adjustment approaches were initially called spinal manipulations. New adjustments evolve as a variation of an older technique and are typically named after the chiropractor who developed it. Some approaches use force, while others are relatively gentle.
Here are examples of some chiropractic adjustments:
- High-Velocity Low-Amplitude (HVLA) thrust: One of the oldest and most frequently used techniques, HVLA is helpful in issues like back pain, migraines, cervicogenic headaches, whiplash-associated disorders, and upper and lower-extremity joint conditions. There are many HVLA approaches. In the diversified technique, a chiropractor will first position you on a table to optimize the adjustment of the spine. They will then apply a short, controlled, and quick thrust over the restricted joints. This sudden thrust results in a "pop" sound that you may be aware of and is called "cavitation." It is similar to cracking your knuckles and is typically caused by a release of gas when the joint is pushed a tiny distance past its passive range of motion.
- Spinal mobilization: Similar to HVLA, the goal of spinal mobilization is also to restore joint function. However, this method utilizes slow movement to mobilize a joint. Patients with sensitive nervous systems prone to spasms and those with inflammatory arthritis may benefit from this gentle technique. Some spinal mobilization methods include the activator method, which uses a low-force hand-held manual tool, cox-flexion distraction, sacro-occipital technique (SOT), and toggle drop. Other forms of mobilization may be used with these approaches. Some examples include massage therapy and applied kinesiology.
Other treatments that chiropractors offer
Apart from a chiropractic adjustment, a few of the standard therapies that a chiropractor near you may suggest include the following:
- Heat and cold: Chiropractors may also recommend ice and heat therapy to treat back pain. First, ice packs help numb the area for about 10 to 15 minutes. It is then switched to a heating pad, hot water bottle, or heat wrap to increase blood circulation and promote quick recovery.
- Massage: Soft tissue massage to reduce back pain-linked inflammation and swelling, increase blood circulation, and enhance quick healing.
- Exercise: The exercise program may include stretches and exercises that strengthen the back muscles and further enhance the benefits of spinal adjustment.
- Electrical muscle stimulation: Electrodes transmit soft electric pulses to specific body areas to relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and prevent muscle spasms.
- Ultrasound: Ultrasound therapy employs sound waves to create deep heat therapy for micro-massaging the soft tissues and joints. It helps to reduce muscle spasms, stiffness, and pain, increase blood circulation, and ensure faster healing.
When should you see a chiropractor?
Chronic pain is one of the principal reasons people seek medical help. It refers to pain lasting more than three months and affecting an individual's productivity and overall well-being. About 25% of people in the U.S. suffer from chronic pain.
Chronic pain can come in different ways for people. Some ways in which people may experience chronic pain include headaches (migraine), arthritis, fibromyalgia, back pain, prolonged pain in scar tissue, and neck pain. Chronic pain can have an all-consuming effect on most people, compelling them to seek medical intervention.
While it is relatively easy to understand pain symptoms, you may benefit from seeing a chiropractor if you suffer from prolonged pain due to an unexplained cause. In most cases, patients wait for a more extended period and consult when the pain becomes unbearable. However, seeking timely and early assistance can prevent further complications. Here are some signs to keep in mind while deciding when to see a chiropractor near you:
- Sedentary lifestyle: Nowadays, almost every profession requires sitting for lengthy periods. Leading a sedentary lifestyle has many disadvantages, including poor posture. The pressure caused by poor posture can lead to difficulties like a herniated or slipped disc. Chiropractors can suggest proper ergonomics to ensure your spine's position is correct, preventing future problems.
- Being involved in an accident or injuries: Chiropractors specialize in treating numerous damages caused by sports or car accidents. When someone meets with an accident, their body can store trauma in areas causing chronic pain or stress. In such cases, consulting with a chiropractor can help diagnose and manage injuries efficiently.
- Pain in the lower back: If you experience frequent pain in your lower back, you may seek help from a chiropractor. Lower back pain is one of the common types of pain. However, it is best to consult a chiropractor if this pain persists or affects your mobility. Chiropractors can detect the source of back pain and provide effective treatments, including exercise prescriptions and ergonomic recommendations.
- Limited range of motion: If you lack flexibility in different body areas, such as your arms, neck, or legs, you could benefit from a chiropractic adjustment. Adjustments to the spine realign the bones and joints, reducing discomfort and enhancing the range of motion.
- Leading a physically demanding lifestyle: Various strenuous activities can put additional pressure and strain on your body, especially your spine. These activities can also make you susceptible to slipped discs and pinched nerves. Suppose you are involved in physically demanding activities, such as sports or working out. In that case, you could visit a chiropractor for periodic adjustments to help maintain a sturdy spine.
Patients should ideally visit chiropractors if they notice any discomfort in their bodies, such as muscle and joint aches, tingling, numbness, and lack of energy.
What to expect at the first chiropractic appointment?
Your initial visit to a chiropractor may entail a series of examinations and thorough consultations to determine the cause of your medical condition. Complete patient assessment helps chiropractors devise a treatment plan tailored to your situation. You can expect the following when visiting your chiropractor for the first time:
- Detailed examination: The first step during the consultation is a thorough examination of your condition, which involves a patient's detailed medical history and current symptoms. You may be required to provide background information regarding the pain's nature, frequency, and duration. Remember to provide all the necessary details about previous medications or pre-existing injuries. After understanding the patient's history, chiropractors begin their examination and posture analysis to assess muscle strength, range of motion, neurological integrity, and muscle integrity.
- Diagnosis and initial treatment: Detailed consultation, examination, and diagnostic tests like X-rays help chiropractors determine a specific diagnosis. After understanding the cause of pain, chiropractors may use soft manipulation or adjustment during the first visit. They may also discuss your personalized treatment plan and the duration of the treatment.
- Post-treatment recommendations: After your initial treatment, your chiropractor may list some take-home instructions for you to follow. Following these recommendations can be essential as they help to ensure maximum recovery benefits and long-lasting results of your adjustment. These may include regular exercise, proper nutrition, supplementation, healthy posture, heat or ice therapy, and stress management.
What are the risks of chiropractic treatment? Who should not seek it?
Chiropractic adjustments, when administered by trained and licensed professionals, are typically safe and cause no side effects. However, there are a few severe risks associated with chiropractic care that can occur in rare instances:
- A specific type of stroke may occur after neck manipulation.
- Herniated disks or the worsening of an existing herniated disk.
- Cauda equina syndrome, or pinched nerves in the lower spinal column, occurs when the nerves in the lumbar spine are compressed. In this condition, sensation and movement can be cut off. Patients with this condition who do not receive immediate care can have permanent paralysis, impaired bladder function, or loss of bladder control.
Individuals with the following issues should generally avoid chiropractic care or consult their physician before seeking it-
- People who have a severe form of arthritis.
- Severe osteoporosis.
- Numbness, tingling, weakness, or loss of strength in an arm or leg.
- Cancer in the spine.
- An increased risk of stroke.
- Bone-related physical injuries such as fractures.
- A detected bone abnormality in your upper neck
How can I find the best chiropractors near me in the United States?
Finding a suitable chiropractor can be a difficult task. As most chiropractic therapy involves hands-on procedures, you will want to choose a chiropractor with whom you feel comfortable.
On Zocdoc, you can access an array of qualified and skilled chiropractors in your area. Patients can filter providers to suit their location, availability, and insurance networks. It is a user-friendly platform that empowers patients to make educated decisions by compiling detailed provider information.
If you are looking for an in-network chiropractor, choose your insurance carrier and plan from the drop-down menu on the search bar. It will help you filter the displayed search results with those providers who accept your insurance plan. However, if you need help finding your specific plan, you can upload a photo of your insurance card. Zocdoc will then scan the image of your card and show you your likely plan. Note that you may do this only for medical insurance cards. Dental and vision cards are excluded. If you need assistance uploading your card or have other insurance-related queries, contact Zocdoc's service team. You may also go through Zocdoc's patient help center for answers to more insurance FAQs.
You can access detailed information about a chiropractor's education credentials, board certification, experiences, treatment styles, and plans. Additionally, every provider profile features reviews and ratings of their previous patients that give you an unbiased insight into the practice's quality of care. Zocdoc delivers to help you schedule an in-person or online appointment with the best chiropractor in your area or neighborhood.
All bookings on Zocdoc are safe, secure, and free!
Chiropractors in the U.S.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, around 41,480 chiropractors were employed in the United States as of May 2023. The majority of them worked in the offices of other health practitioners. The number of chiropractors working in specialty hospitals was the lowest.
The report also stated that Texas employed the highest number of chiropractors, while North Dakota tops the charts when considering the concentration of chiropractic jobs.
Sources
Spine-health[1]
CB Physiotherapy[1]
CB Physiotherapy[2]
WebMD
University of Bridgeport
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Northeast Spine and Sports Medicine
Mayo Clinic
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
Wooster Community Hospital
Spine-health[2]
Spine-health[3]
Spine-health[4]
