What is chiropractic medicine?
Chiropractic medicine is an alternative medicine that helps patients by concentrating on the body's natural ability to heal without invasive procedures or pharmaceuticals. The relationship between spinal alignment and body function is the foundation of chiropractic care. It stands on the idea that the human body can cure itself if given a chance.
The word "chiropractic" originated from the Greek language, where "Cheir" and "Praxis" are the terms used for "hand" and "practice," respectively. These terms relate to hands-on therapy or manual therapy.
Who is a chiropractor?
A chiropractor is a healthcare practitioner who practices chiropractic medicine and treats the neuromusculoskeletal system. These encompass the bones, nerves, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. They employ spinal adjustments to maintain the proper alignment and alleviate back and neck discomfort.
Chiropractors concentrate on the body's self-healing capacity, incorporating treatments such as exercise and nutrition. They believe that enhancing the neuromusculoskeletal system's performance, realigning joints, and administering spinal adjustments can help improve the functioning of other systems in the body.
What are the educational qualifications of a chiropractor?
Chiropractors practicing in the United States must hold a Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.) degree, obtain certification from the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners, and receive a license from the state they wish to practice in. All states require licensed chiropractors to keep learning, and many must take extra exams on state-specific rules.
In the United States, you must have at least three years of college before getting into a Doctor of Chiropractic program. In chiropractic colleges, students actively study natural sciences like anatomy and physiology. Some chiropractors earn advanced degrees in areas like pediatrics or orthopedics. The United States Department of Education acknowledges the Council on Chiropractic Education as a legitimate accrediting organization. It grants accreditation to schools that award the Doctor of Chiropractic degree.
In Colorado, the Colorado Board of Chiropractic Examiners oversees the licensing of chiropractors and the conduct of individual chiropractors within the state. Some chiropractors have additional certifications in areas like acupuncture or electrotherapy in addition to their base chiropractic degree.
Chiropractor vs. physical therapist
Both chiropractors and physical therapists are licensed healthcare professionals who treat and manage stiffness, chronic body pains, and discomforts through diverse treatment methods across lifespans. After evaluating the injury type, needs, and body ailment, they aim to improve patients' flexibility and mobility through a personalized plan. While both are suitable for the treatment and co-treatment of a broad scope of symptoms and health issues, their technique and perspectives may vary to achieve the desired results.
A chiropractor concentrates on the musculoskeletal and nervous system, including joints, muscles, tendons, and functions. They emphasize spine alignment and manipulation to alleviate pain and inflammation. After evaluating the symptoms, they recommend massages, lifestyle, and dietary changes. In contrast, a physical therapist focuses on the body's function, restoring strength and mobility, and managing pain in ill or injured patients after comprehensive evaluation and diagnosis. They design a treatment plan, suggesting postures, exercises, therapies, and alternate ways to avoid injuries and pain.
What kind of services does a chiropractor provide?
A chiropractic examination includes checking the patient's reflexes and spine position. Chiropractors also perform specific tests and may take X-rays to identify the patient's illness, devise a treatment plan, and monitor progress.
When it comes to pain management, chiropractors never reach for opioids. Instead, they put faith in and support the body's innate recuperative mechanisms. When a chiropractor manually applies force to a spinal joint or with equipment, the goal is to realign it.
Apart from spinal manipulation, chiropractors may include other therapies, such as:
1. Relaxation and stimulation
2. Adjustments
3. Joint bracing/taping (Kinesio taping)
4. Combination therapy (hot and cold)
5. Exercises and stretches
6. Counseling for weight loss and dietary improvement
7. Soft-tissue therapy
Chiropractors may also use massage therapy, ultrasound, braces, shoe inserts, and other methods necessary to alleviate discomfort.
What is spinal manipulation?
Spinal manipulation is a technique where medical professionals use their hands or a device to apply controlled pressure to a joint of your spine. Although the force exerted can vary, the pressure causes the joint to move more than it would otherwise. Spinal manipulation differs from spinal mobilization, which is patient-controlled, performed within a joint's normal range of motion, and does not require force.
Chiropractors perform most spinal manipulations, although other licensed specialists, such as osteopathic physicians and physical therapists, also use this technique. Spinal manipulation treats lower back pain, neck pain, headache, sciatica, and other conditions.
What are some other chiropractic techniques?
Chiropractic adjustments provide a natural, drug-free approach to relieving pain and improving mobility. By realigning the spine, chiropractic care promotes optimal nervous system function, reducing strain on the back and neck and enhancing joint movement.
Here are some other chiropractic techniques:
- The diversified technique: This widely used technique focuses on restoring spinal alignment, repairing joint dysfunction, and improving movement. Through precise hands-on thrusts, chiropractors realign the spine, enhancing a patient’s range of motion. Approximately 96% of chiropractors use the diversified technique, making it one of the most common adjustments, addressing lower back pain, neck pain, and headaches.
- Thompson drop-table technique: The Thompson drop-table technique employs a specialized table with padded platforms that drop slightly when pressure is applied. This gentle "drop" motion provides a comfortable adjustment experience, resembling a light vibration. Chiropractors often use this technique to treat lower back, neck, and shoulder pain.
- The Gonstead adjustment: This technique is known for its specific contact point on the chiropractor's hand. It is applied to restore disc alignment and maximize mobility. This technique can be done with the patient seated or lying on their side, focusing on the lower back or pelvis to address lower back pain, sciatica, and hip pain.
- The activator method: This method uses a handheld, spring-loaded device called an Activator to deliver gentle impulses to the spine or extremities. It can address various conditions, including headaches and lower back and neck pain.
- Flexion-distraction: The technique uses a special table to create rhythmic, gentle spinal motions. It's commonly applied to treat disc injuries and back or leg pain. Patients find this method comfortable and suitable for recent injuries or sensitive areas.
- Spinal decompression: Spinal decompression involves carefully stretching the spine to relieve disc pressure. This technique promotes the flow of essential nutrients and fluids, aiding in treating disc-related pain, sciatica, and lower back pain.
What is arthritis, and can it be cured?
Arthritis is a common disorder that impacts connective tissues and joints and results in discomfort, swelling, and restricted movement. In the U.S., millions of people have some form of arthritis. Interestingly, women experience arthritis and other rheumatic disorders more frequently than men. Even though it can affect anyone at any age, arthritis is commonly associated with aging.
Arthritis has no known treatment. However, maintaining a functioning joint is crucial to minimizing pain and inflammation. You can follow a treatment strategy with your healthcare professional incorporating therapy and medication.
Further, you can also try out these lifestyle changes to help manage arthritis:
- Losing weight: Extra pounds put stress on weight-bearing joints, such as the knees and hips. It would help to try to maintain a healthy weight.
- Exercise/physical activity: Some exercises may help reduce stiffness and joint pain. You can try swimming, walking, low-impact aerobics, and range-of-motion exercises. Stretching exercises also improve joint flexibility.
- Usage of assistive devices: Crutches, canes, and walkers can keep stress off certain joints and improve or provide added balance.
- Use adaptive equipment: Grabbers and reachers let you extend your reach and reduce strain, and dressing aids can help you get dressed quickly.
- Managing medicines: Long-term use of some anti-inflammatory medications can cause stomach bleeding. Speak to your healthcare provider to build a plan to reduce this risk.
What are the benefits of chiropractic care?
Visiting a chiropractor near you can be incredibly beneficial for your musculoskeletal issues. The benefits can be extensive, and it doesn't require the risk or intrusiveness of surgery or other extreme methods. Chiropractic care also helps with the following ailments:
- Alleviates discomfort in the lower back: When relieving back pain, whether temporary or chronic, chiropractic care may be preferable to surgical or invasive medical procedures.
- Relaxes the muscles that cause headaches and migraines: Spinal manipulation has demonstrated potential as a therapy for headaches originating in the neck and tension headaches.
- Scoliosis: Scoliosis is a spine disorder characterized by an abnormal curvature. As a result, you can have pain, a change in your posture, a restriction in your range of motion, and even difficulty breathing. Scoliosis patients who undergo chiropractic treatment report improvement in their condition. Chiropractic care and physical therapy can treat scoliosis and halt its progression. This treatment's efficacy varies from patient to patient, but it's still an option worth considering.
- Back and neck pain: Chiropractic adjustments can alleviate back and neck pain without surgery.
Compared to medical options, chiropractic care for back pain is more cost-effective.
- Reduce swelling and inflammation: Pain, musculoskeletal problems, and stress are all rooted in inflammation. Chronic pain, heart disease, and cancer are just some of the illnesses researchers have shown chronic inflammation to be a contributing factor. Reducing inflammation through chiropractic adjustments has been linked to various health benefits.
- Relief from neck discomfort: If your daily routine requires you to spend several hours sitting, you may experience some neck pain. If you're experiencing neck pain, seeing a chiropractor may be beneficial.
- Sports injuries: Chiropractic care can also boost performance in the gym. One possible explanation is decreased pain, tissue tightness, and more accessible joints.
What should you expect during your first visit to a chiropractor?
When you visit a chiropractor for the first time, they will examine you to assess your condition and deliver the appropriate treatment.
- A comprehensive chiropractic examination: As part of this process, you may have X-rays, palpation of specific locations, reflex analysis, posture analysis, range of motion testing, questioning, and a medical history review, amongst other things, depending on your condition and your specific requirements.
- Initial care: Depending on the doctor's assessment of your condition, you may get an adjustment or soft tissue manipulation at your first chiropractic appointment.
- Tips for home rehab: You should expect your chiropractor to prescribe follow-up care, such as stretches and exercises, to help you maintain the benefits of your adjustment and increase your mobility.
What can one anticipate during their first visit to the chiropractor?
Upon your initial chiropractic visit, the specialist will begin by assessing your condition. They will ask you to fill out a questionnaire regarding your health and inquire about your sleeping habits, diet, and physical activity. They may also ask you about any previous experience with migraines.
Additionally, the chiropractor will conduct a physical examination, including checking your posture, testing your muscle strength, assessing the range of motion in your arms and legs, and examining any abnormalities such as a misaligned shoulder or hip. They may also order X-rays if necessary.
What happens during a chiropractic procedure?
Your chiropractor, trained in more than 150 techniques mainly involving delicate manipulation, will reposition you to access different body areas. But typically, you will lie facedown on a specialized padded table for spinal or joint adjustments during the chiropractic procedure.
Your chiropractor will apply controlled force to realign your spine or joints, which may result in cracking or popping noises. They may also use equipment such as a drop table that drops its sections when the chiropractor applies pressure to the back or an activator, a small device that performs gentle manipulation.
What happens after the chiropractic procedure?
Your visit may cause you to feel slightly unwell for a few days. You may experience a mild headache, tiredness, or discomfort in various body areas. Although rare, some risks are associated with chiropractic procedures, such as pinched nerves, herniated discs, or stroke.
Nevertheless, most people experience immediate relief and notice a long-term improvement in their health. Your chiropractor can also offer helpful advice on maintaining good posture when standing, sleeping, and sitting at a desk.
Locating a chiropractor near you in Aurora, Colorado
Pain, especially persistent pain, can significantly impact one's ability to carry out daily activities. It's crucial to look for different approaches to pain relief. If possible, chiropractic care should be your first resort before taking medication.
Visit Zocdoc to quickly schedule an appointment with highly qualified chiropractors in Aurora, Colorado, by entering your symptoms, preferred location, and insurance details. According to your specific requirements, Zocdoc will compile a list of the best chiropractors in your vicinity. You can even narrow the search results based on gender, hospital affiliations, time, and languages spoken.
If you need help finding chiropractors who accept your insurance, our online patient help center is here to assist. You can link your medical, dental, and vision insurance plans to your Zocdoc account; however, please note that you can use only one insurance plan per appointment.
You can add your secondary insurance information in the appointment notes for those with multiple insurance plans. If your provider uses Zocdoc’s Intake forms, you’ll also have the option to enter your secondary insurance details there.
On Zocdoc, all listed practitioners have dedicated profiles with extensive information about their education, training, areas of expertise, and experience. You can also view the verified patient reviews to choose the best practitioner.
Booking in-person or online appointments with chiropractors near you through Zocdoc is free, safe, and quick.
Arthritis in Colorado
The American Chiropractic Association reports that over 35 million Americans (including adults and children) receive treatment from chiropractors yearly.
In the state of Colorado, the age-adjusted prevalence of arthritis in adults over the age of 18 was 19.7% (2020). Females were more prevalent (22.2%) than males (17.2%).
Sources
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health[1]
Healthline
WebMD
Johns Hopkins Medicine[1]
Cleveland Clinic
SPINE-health
Pierce Chiropractic
America's Health Rankings
Division of Professions and Occupations
American Chiropractic Association
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Renew Accident & Injury Chiropractic Clinic
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health[2]
Johns Hopkins Medicine[2]
Southwest Spine & Rehab
