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What is chiropractic?

Chiropractic is a complementary medicine field that focuses on disorders and issues related to the nervous and musculoskeletal systems and their subsequent effects on an individual's general health. Typically, the treatment involves physical therapy, often including spinal manipulation. Other treatment methods, such as exercise and nutritional counseling, may also be used.

Chiropractic care is a patient's primary treatment method for lower back pain. If the patient has another medical condition, chiropractic services may complement or support their treatment by relieving the associated musculoskeletal pain.

Through their patient-centered approach, doctors of chiropractic (DCs) elevate the physical well-being of people from all age groups by helping them to live more fully and actively.

Who is a chiropractor?

A chiropractor, also called a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) or chiropractic physician, practices a hands-on approach to healthcare that includes a patient's examination, diagnosis, and treatment. They have extensive diagnostic skills and training to advise rehabilitative and therapeutic exercises and provide nutritional and lifestyle counseling.

Chiropractors evaluate patients through clinical examination, laboratory testing, imaging, and other medical interventions to determine appropriate treatment. They will readily refer patients to relevant healthcare providers when chiropractic care is not the most suitable treatment option for their condition or if it warrants co-management with other specialists.

You can see a chiropractor near you for issues like:

• Back pain: Back pain, a leading cause of disability, often results from muscle strain but usually improves within weeks with self-care. Symptoms like severe or persistent pain, leg numbness, or weakness require medical attention. Surgery is rarely needed. You can prevent back pain with proper posture and movement. However, seek immediate care if you have back pain along with fever, injury, or bladder issues.
• Migraine: A migraine refers to a severe, throbbing headache. It often occurs on one side of the head and can last from hours to days. Triggers can be movement, light, noise, and others. Types include classic (with aura), common (without aura), and chronic. While incurable, medications, trigger avoidance, and alternative therapies like chiropractic help manage symptoms.
• Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) problems: Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders cause jaw pain, clicking, or stiffness, usually due to clenching, arthritis, or injury. Symptoms include headaches, chewing difficulty, earaches, toothaches, tinnitus (ringing in your ears), and more. These can be treated with ample rest, pain relievers, splints, or physical therapy. Severe cases may need surgery.
• Scoliosis: Scoliosis refers to a sideways spine curvature generally diagnosed in adolescents. Mild cases may not cause much problem, but severe curves can worsen with growth. Symptoms include uneven shoulders or waists, with one shoulder blade jutting out and one side of the rib cage bulging forward. Treatment includes monitoring, bracing, or surgery for progressive curves.
• Neck pain: Neck pain, a common issue, can be axial (localized) or radicular (radiating to arms). It may feel like stiffness, aching, or sharp pain, often with headaches or numbness. Most cases improve with rest, medication, physical therapy, or alternative treatments like chiropractic care. Severe cases may require injections or surgery.
• Hip bursitis: Hip bursitis is swelling of the fluid-filled sacs, cushioning that protects muscles and tendons from rubbing against bone. It causes sharp or achy pain at the hip's side, often worsening with movement, prolonged pressure, or lying on the affected side. Treatment includes rest, physical therapy, injections, aspiration, or arthroscopic surgery.
• Others: Fibromyalgia, degenerative disc disease, herniated disc, and sports injuries.

What are the educational qualifications of a chiropractor?

The requirements for chiropractors in the U.S. include obtaining a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) degree, clearing the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners examination, and securing a state license. Many states also mandate chiropractors to pass an exam about state-specific laws, and all states instruct practicing chiropractors to take continuing education classes.

Students must complete at least three years of undergraduate education to enroll in the four-year DC program in the United States. The U.S. Secretary of Education recognizes the Council on Chiropractic Education as the accrediting body for universities that grant DC degrees.

Chiropractic education includes monitored clinical experience in which students develop and practice skills such as adjustment techniques, spinal assessments, and making diagnoses. It also includes classes in general sciences, such as anatomy and physiology. Furthermore, some chiropractors pursue specializations in fields such as orthopedics or pediatrics.

The scope of chiropractors' practice, i.e., the types of services they are allowed to offer, varies from state to state. Health insurance plans cover chiropractic, but coverage is usually partial.

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. The force varies, but the pressure helps move the joint more than it would. Spinal manipulation differs from spinal mobilization, which doesn't involve pressure, is performed within a joint's normal range of motion, and is in the patient's control.

Chiropractors perform most spinal manipulations, although other professionals, such as physical therapists and osteopathic doctors, also use this technique. Spinal manipulation treats lower back pain, neck pain, headache, sciatica, and other conditions.

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 their injury type, needs, and body ailment, they aim to improve patients' flexibility and mobility through a personalized plan. While they are both suitable for the treatment and co-treatment of a broad scope of symptoms and health issues, their technique and perspectives in achieving the desired results may vary.

A chiropractor chiefly focuses on the musculoskeletal and nervous systems, 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 restoring strength, mobility, and function of the body and treating pain in ill or injured patients after thorough evaluation and diagnosis. They design a treatment plan and suggest postures, exercises, therapies, and alternate ways to avoid injuries and pain.

Difference between chiropractors and osteopaths

When choosing between osteopaths and chiropractors near you for musculoskeletal issues, understanding the distinctions between these two healthcare providers will help you make the best choice for your requirements.

Core philosophy and training

Chiropractors and osteopaths have distinct philosophies and training paths. Their training emphasizes spinal adjustments and manual therapies to correct these misalignments. Chiropractors typically focus on spinal health and believe that spinal misalignments, or subluxations, can harm the nervous system and overall health. After earning a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) degree, a chiropractor treats patients with a focus on the spine and neurological system through extensive training in spinal manipulation, diagnostic procedures, and patient care. 

Osteopaths, conversely, adopt a holistic approach to healthcare. Their training includes a broad range of medical knowledge, including how different body systems interact. Osteopaths complete a Doctor of Osteopathy (DO) degree, which includes training in manual techniques similar to those used by chiropractors but also covers areas like internal medicine, surgery, and general medical care. When diagnosing and treating conditions, osteopaths consider lifestyle factors, environmental influences, and the body's self-healing capabilities.

Treatment approaches

Chiropractors' and osteopaths' treatment methods reflect their differing philosophies. Chiropractors mainly focus on spinal adjustments as the primary treatment method. They may also recommend exercise, dietary, and lifestyle modifications to support spinal health. These modifications relieve pain, enhance nerve function, and rectify spinal misalignments.

Osteopaths use a broader array of manual techniques in their practice. Their methods include osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT), which involves techniques such as stretching, general pressure, and resistance to address musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction. In addition to manual therapy, osteopaths perform a more comprehensive range of medical treatments, including prescribing medication and providing general health advice.

Regulation and professional scope

The General Chiropractic Council (GCC) regulates chiropractors, whereas the General Osteopathic Council regulates osteopaths. These regulatory bodies ensure that practitioners meet high standards of care, maintain professional qualifications, and engage in ongoing education.

Choosing between a chiropractor and an osteopath

Deciding between a chiropractor and an osteopath often depends on the nature of your health concerns. A chiropractor might be more suitable if you seek spinal adjustments to address conditions like back pain or headaches. An osteopath may be better if you want a holistic approach that includes manual therapy and a broader evaluation of your overall health.

How to find an experienced chiropractor near you in Jersey City, New Jersey?

Are you looking for a chiropractor for your chronic back pain? Do you want to reduce the pain and hindrance caused by an old sports injury? If so, a chiropractor can help you provide the best diagnosis and treatment plan. With Zocdoc, you can effortlessly find the best chiropractor in Jersey City.

Enter your location (Jersey City, New Jersey), doctor specialty (chiropractor), preferred appointment date, and insurance plan. An extensive list of in-network specialists will appear based on your search criteria.

If you have multiple insurance plans, you can add them to your Zocdoc account for medical, dental, and vision coverage. However, you can only search for and book appointments using one plan at a time. Remember to mention your secondary insurance in the notes when booking your appointment. You can also include your secondary insurance information if your provider uses Zocdoc's Intake forms. You can go through our patient help center page for any further queries.

At Zocdoc, transparency is of utmost value. So, each chiropractor's profile includes a brief introduction, education qualifications, expertise, awards, accreditations, and, most importantly, patient reviews. If you filter the results by gender, language, hospital affiliations, pediatric care, etc., Zocdoc filters can help you. Before an in-person visit to a chiropractor near you, you can also book video appointments for better understanding.

All Zocdoc bookings are 100% easy, secure, and free!

Chiropractors in Jersey City, New Jersey

According to the May 2023 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics dataset, nearly 41,480 chiropractors actively provided services in the U.S., with the maximum number of specialists employed in the offices of other health practitioners. About 720 chiropractors were employed in the state of New Jersey, with a location quotient of 0.63. This indicates fewer chiropractors in New Jersey than in the rest of the nation.

Some of the most commonly seen and preventable work-related injuries are musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), i.e., injuries or conditions of the joints, ligaments, muscles, nerves, spinal discs, or tendons caused or exacerbated by work activities. According to a report on occupational health indicators published by the New Jersey Department of Health, out of the 195,688 cases of MSDs reported in New Jersey between 2000-2019, around 48% were MSDs of the back, 27% were that of the neck, shoulders, and upper extremities, and 1% were of carpal tunnel syndrome.

Sources

American Chiropractic Association

National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health[1]

National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health[2]

Renew Accident & Injury Chiropractic Clinic

State of New Jersey Department of Health

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Healthline

Mayo Clinic[1]

Mayo Clinic[2]

Cleveland Clinic[1]

Cleveland Clinic[2]

Cleveland Clinic[3]

Aurora Health Care

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.