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Who are chiropractors, and what do they do?

Chiropractic is a certified healthcare profession focusing on the body's natural ability to repair itself. Chiropractic treatment often involves manual therapy, including techniques like spinal manipulation. Other treatments, including exercise and nutritional advice, may also be employed.

Chiropractors use various hands-on therapy techniques, including stretching, continuous pressure, and specialized joint manipulations, often performed by hand and involving a rapid and mild thrust. These procedures aim to enhance joint mobility and function and can be applied to the spine or other body areas depending on the patient's issue.

Chiropractors employ several nonsurgical procedures to treat patients suffering from the following conditions:

• Neck stiffness
• Leg and lower back pain (sciatica)
• Headaches
• Repeated strains
• Injuries sustained in a car accident
• Sports-related injuries
• Arthritic pain

When necessary, chiropractors recommend patients seeking treatment for lower back pain and similar issues to other healthcare professionals

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The education and training of chiropractors

Chiropractic students must have completed at least three years of undergraduate education to enroll in a Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.) program in the United States, which usually takes four years to finish. Chiropractic education involves studies in basic sciences like anatomy and physiology, and a supervised clinical experience where students learn specific skills like spinal assessment, adjustment procedures, and diagnosis.

To practice in the U.S., chiropractors need a state license, a D.C. degree, and a certification stating they have cleared the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners exam. In addition, several states mandate that chiropractors successfully complete a state-specific law test. All states require practicing chiropractors to participate in continuing education classes.

The Council on Chiropractic Education accredited institutions that award the D.C. degree.

Some chiropractors pursue advanced training in related specialties such as orthopedics or pediatrics.

The scope of chiropractic practice (the services that chiropractors are permitted to deliver) differs by state. Many health insurance plans may cover chiropractic treatments. However, this coverage may only be applicable partially. 

Chiropractic techniques

Chiropractic care seeks to relieve pain and enhance physical function. It often involves joint manipulation—quick thrusts at the end of a joint's range—or mobilization, which uses slower movements within the joint's natural motion. Chiropractors may also suggest exercises or other therapies to address the underlying cause of discomfort.

This summary outlines seven common chiropractic techniques and their general use.

Diversified technique

A widely used method, the diversified technique applies quick, controlled thrusts to restore spinal alignment and joint movement. A popping sound often accompanies the adjustment. Chiropractors use it on various joints, placing patients in different positions to improve mobility and relieve pain.

Spinal mobilization

This gentler approach uses slow, steady movements within a joint's range. Unlike manipulation, it doesn't involve fast thrusts, making it more suitable for people with sensitive joints, severe pain, or older adults. It shares similar goals with the diversified method but uses less force.

Activator method

This technique uses the Activator Adjusting Instrument (AAI), a handheld device that delivers quick, low-force pulses to specific areas. It is considered a milder option and is often recommended for older patients. Preliminary studies suggest it may help relieve spinal pain.

Gonstead adjustment

Similar to the diversified technique, Gonstead adjustments use high-velocity, low-amplitude thrusts. Chiropractors may use touch or imaging to locate issues; the patient is usually adjusted while seated or lying on their side. A popping sound may be heard.

Flexion distraction

This non-thrusting method uses a special table to stretch and decompress the spine. It's often applied to conditions like herniated disks. The goal is to improve spinal movement, reduce nerve pressure, and support disk health without forceful manipulation.

Thompson drop-table technique

Using a specialized table with drop sections, this technique combines quick thrusts with a slight table drop. It may be useful for those with herniated disks and can help improve spinal alignment and flexibility.

Spinal decompression

Spinal decompression uses a traction table to stretch the spine gently. It's commonly used for herniated or bulging disks and chronic neck or back pain to relieve pressure and enhance long-term comfort.

Benefits of chiropractic care 

Chiropractic treatments share similarities with those provided by physical therapists, but key differences exist. Chiropractors primarily utilize hands-on manipulations, whereas physical therapists emphasize stretches and exercises. Seeing a local chiropractor near you can offer several benefits:

• Alleviates Neck Pain - Neck pain is common, especially among individuals with poor posture, such as those who frequently look down at their phones. Chiropractors can reduce this pain by relieving tension in the neck muscles and realigning the spine.
• Decreases Opioid Use - While opioids are often prescribed for chronic pain, chiropractic care can reduce the need for these medications.
• Eases Back Pain - Chiropractic care is a viable alternative to surgery or injections for back pain relief. Non-medication treatments like spinal manipulations, exercise, acupuncture, and progressive muscle relaxation are generally recommended for back pain. Chiropractic care is a very cost-effective option for chronic lower back pain.
• Mitigates Osteoarthritis Symptoms -
•  Osteoarthritis involves cartilage degeneration, causing bone ends to rub together, resulting in pain. Chiropractic adjustments can help align joints and lessen this friction.
• Reduces Scoliosis Symptoms - Chiropractic care can improve the Cobb angle, used to assess the degree of spinal curvature in scoliosis.
• Corrects Posture Issues - Chiropractic treatment can address poor posture, often caused by prolonged sitting.
• Enhances Athletic Performance - Spinal adjustments can improve sports performance by enhancing joint mobility and alleviating pain and tissue restriction.

How are chiropractors different from physical therapists?

Physical therapy and chiropractic care both employ nonsurgical and non-drug methods to alleviate pain related to musculoskeletal conditions. However, the nature of the conditions treated by both and their approach to treating patients may differ. Learning the difference between the two can help determine which provider you should see for your pain, injury, or condition. 

A physical therapist typically focuses on improving the entire body's mobility by recommending rehabilitative exercises and wellness techniques. A doctor may also recommend physical therapy after surgery for faster recovery of that body part. It can assist patients in walking or climbing up the stairs post-operation. Other physical therapy modalities include traction, therapeutic ultrasounds, heat or ice therapy, and massage therapy. You may benefit from seeking physical therapy if you feel pain limiting your ability to walk, sit, work, or engage in recreational activities. 

On the other hand, chiropractic care involves performing certain adjustments or manipulations to realign parts of the body that may have restricted motion due to injury or a degenerative disorder, thereby alleviating that part of the body's pain and discomfort. Chiropractors also order X-rays to examine bones and the spine to locate a possible spinal subluxation. While physical therapists can also treat the spine, they are more likely to recommend exercises to increase strength and range of motion than to perform an adjustment. 

If you are still unsure about which provider to choose, you could first consult your primary care physician, who could refer you to a physical therapist or chiropractor, depending on your particular condition and its symptoms. 

What to expect at your first chiropractic visit

Your initial visit to the chiropractor near you will start with an evaluation. You will be given a set of health-related questions to answer. Your chiropractor may also inquire about your migraine history, sleeping habits, nutrition, and level of physical activity.

The examination will assess your posture, muscular strength, and arm and leg mobility. Any abnormalities, such as misaligned shoulders or hips, will also be investigated.

Your chiropractor may also take an X-ray.

• During a chiropractic treatment - Your chiropractor has received training in over 150 treatments, most of which rely on gentle manipulation. Your chiropractor may position you in numerous ways to access various sections of your body. Patients typically lie prone on a specially cushioned chiropractic table during chiropractic adjustments. When your chiropractor realigns your spine or joints with controlled power, you may hear popping and cracking sounds. Your chiropractor might position you on a drop table with sections that compress when pressure is applied to the back. An activator, a little gadget used for gentle manipulation, is another piece of equipment your chiropractor may utilize.
• After a chiropractic procedure - You may experience a slight headache, weariness, or discomfort in the treated regions for several days after your visit. Most people, however, receive instant relief and see their health improve over time. Your chiropractor can teach you to maintain proper posture while standing, sleeping, or sitting at a desk.

Finding the best chiropractor near you in Englewood, Colorado

Seeing a chiropractor can assist you in restoring the structural integrity of your spine and reducing pressure on delicate neurological tissue, thereby improving your general health. Identifying the ideal chiropractor tailored to your requirements can pose a considerable challenge. It is where Zocdoc can come to your rescue. The Zocdoc website or app can help you identify qualified chiropractors near you in Englewood, Colorado.

It is easy to sign up for Zocdoc. To access a list of compatible doctors, select a specialization or condition, enter your location, select the date when you would like to consult the chiropractor, and enter the details of your insurance plan. To provide excellent service to our users, we at Zocdoc have partnered with experienced chiropractors in Englewood, Colorado.

In addition, our advanced insurance detector is available if you need assistance interpreting your policy. If you prefer not to share your insurance information with your provider when booking an appointment on Zocdoc, you will need to acknowledge that you are paying out-of-pocket. While some providers require insurance information for booking, you can easily find another provider on Zocdoc who accommodates your preference and whether or not you have insurance. If you run into any problems during the process of booking an appointment, you can also reach out to the Zocdoc service team. Furthermore, every chiropractor on our platform has a detailed profile that includes their background, qualifications, practice location, and patient ratings, allowing you to evaluate all the essential information about your potential doctors near you, all in one place.

Reading the latest patient reviews will help you pick the top chiropractor near you in Englewood, Colorado. You can also use Zocdoc to schedule video appointments before an in-person visit to get to know your chiropractor better. To discover a chiropractor who offers video consultations, look for the purple video sign on their profile or filter by video appointment type.

All Zocdoc bookings are straightforward, secure, and completely free!

Chiropractor statistics in the U.S.

The U.S. saw a yearly growth of 5.05% in the employment of chiropractors, rising from approximately 46,314 in 2019 to nearly 48,654 in 2020. There are an estimated 95,438 licensed chiropractic firms in the United States. Chiropractic offices employ the most chiropractors (93.4%), followed by physician offices (1.78%) and outpatient treatment clinics (1.76%).

According to the American Chiropractic Association, chiropractors treat between 30 and 40 million people each year, and nearly 10% of the American population, both men and women, visit a chiropractor each year. The age group between 45 and 64 years old displays the highest propensity for seeking chiropractic care, and it's predominantly women who tend to make these visits. 60% of all patients who visit chiropractors are female, while 77% of all chiropractors are male.

Sources

National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)

SPINE-health

WebMD

Data USA 

Cross River Therapy

Verywell health

Medical News Today

The content herein is provided for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Medical information changes constantly, and therefore the content on this website should not be assumed to be current, complete or exhaustive. Always seek the advice of your doctor before starting or changing treatment. If you think you may have a medical emergency, please call your doctor or 9-1-1 immediately.