Who is a chiropractor?
Medically Reviewed by Nassim Assefi, MD on December 11th, 2023
A chiropractor is a healthcare practitioner who addresses neuromusculoskeletal concerns and centers all treatment plans around the body's natural healing capacity. They focus on conditions affecting the muscles, bones, and joints and treat issues like lower back and neck pain, muscle pain, and headaches. In cases where specialized care may be required, chiropractors provide referrals to other healthcare specialists for advice like guidance on diet and nutrition to manage weight and reduce inflammation.
Chiropractors generally operate independently, often from their residences or group clinics. They can also be found in general or multidisciplinary practices. Additionally, chiropractors may hold agreements to practice with health authorities, primary care groups, or other medical centers.
What kind of education and training do chiropractors receive?
Chiropractors do not undergo the same education as medical doctors, i.e., they do not hold an M.D. degree. However, they are considered doctors of chiropractic care. Their training involves a three-year undergraduate degree and a four-year doctor of chiropractic program. The chiropractic-focused course includes subjects like anatomy, physiology, and other life sciences. Finally, to become eligible to practice, chiropractors must clear the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners exam and obtain a state license.
While undergoing the above-mentioned steps, chiropractors earn supervised clinical experience, knowledge of over 150 hands-on spinal adjustment techniques, and business training. They can subspecialize to become experts in specialized areas, like pediatrics or orthopedics. Additionally, they must receive continuing education to maintain their licensure.
What conditions do chiropractors treat?
Chiropractic adjustments are a prevalent alternative treatment in the United States, commonly sought to alleviate pain, stiffness, and side effects of certain chronic conditions. This treatment is suitable for people of all ages. However, most of a chiropractor's clientele comprises people aged between 45 and 64 years.
Chiropractors can prescribe therapies and medications and undertake imaging scans as part of their treatment approach. They focus on ensuring proper joint movement and optimum functioning of surrounding muscles. Generally, they can address various issues, including arthritis, joint pain and dysfunction, frequent headaches, post-accident healing (whiplash), lower back pain, neck pain, sciatica, and stiff muscles or muscle aches.
Chiropractic treatment can also offer complementary benefits for other unrelated conditions like asthma. However, it should not be treated as a substitute for conventional therapy.
What kind of treatments can chiropractors offer?
Depending on your condition and its severity, a chiropractor can choose to offer various treatments, including:
- Adjustments to realign joints for pain reduction and improved motion
- Soft-tissue therapy to relax muscles and release tension
- Exercises and stretches for joint stability and mobility
- Joint bracing or taping (kinesio taping) to support the healing of sprained joints or muscles
- Hot and cold therapy
- Massage therapy
- Exercise recommendations
What happens before, during, and after a chiropractic adjustment?
Before a chiropractic adjustment:
When you arrive at the chiropractor's office, they will try to identify and diagnose your concern. They will do so by discussing your medical history, conducting a physical exam, and undertaking diagnostic imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans, or MRI scans. Subsequently, they will formulate a unique treatment plan based on these findings, which will most likely comprise chiropractic adjustments.
During a chiropractic adjustment:
During a chiropractic adjustment, your chiropractor will employ gentle manipulation. You will be made to lie down on a padded chiropractic table, typically with your face down. Your chiropractor may make you lie down on a drop table, where sections drop under pressure as adjustments are made. They may also use an activator, a small device for gentle manipulation.
A chiropractor applies controlled force to realign the spine or joints during a typical adjustment, which generally produces popping and cracking sounds. The sounds result from the release of gasses like oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide from your joints, which get trapped in the small cavities of your joints during movements. It is no different from the sound produced when you crack your knuckles.
After a chiropractic adjustment:
Post-adjustment, you might experience mild soreness or minor aches in treated areas, which generally go away within 24 hours. Chiropractors may recommend exercises, stretches, ergonomic improvements, hot or cold therapy, or topical analgesics to enhance recovery further.
After a successful chiropractic session, you will experience reduced pain, improved posture, and alleviation of migraines or other similar conditions. Rare complications, such as herniated disks or stroke, may occur. Thus, it is essential to seek treatment only from licensed professionals. Read on to learn how you can find reputable chiropractors near you.
How to find a trustworthy chiropractor near you in Nashville, TN?
Are you grappling with distressing pain symptoms and seeking an expert in pain management? If you prefer a non-medicinal approach, consider visiting a chiropractor nearby. With just a few clicks, Zocdoc simplifies this search by connecting you with top chiropractors near Nashville, TN. You can log on to www.zocdoc.com or download our app to initiate your search.
Once you are there, type "chiropractor" in the search bar on Zocdoc and add your location and appointment date. You can refine your search for in-network providers compatible with your insurance. Zocdoc will then present a list of top healthcare providers in your area, allowing further filtering based on criteria like distance and time.
Zocdoc provides comprehensive profiles for each healthcare professional, detailing their education, training, experience, affiliations, gender, and languages spoken. User ratings and reviews offer valuable insights for informed decision-making. Once you've browsed through all the provided information and selected a chiropractor, you can easily schedule an in-person or online appointment.
Depending on the chiropractor's availability, you can book an appointment before, during, or after office hours. Similarly, you can also book an appointment on weekends or holidays.
With Zocdoc, booking appointments with chiropractors near you is convenient, secure, and free!
Statistics on chiropractors, arthritis, and asthma in Tennessee
Per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were about 680 chiropractors in Tennessee in May 2022.
America's Health Rankings data indicates that about 30.1% of adults in Tennessee experienced some form of arthritis in 2021. This was higher than the national average of around 25.8%. The incidence of the condition was nearly 54.4% in those 65 and over, the highest among all ages. The percentage was lower in those aged 45 to 64 (38.7%) and those aged 18 to 44 (11.7%). Furthermore, women (34.6%) were more likely to have arthritis than men (25.4%). Also, the incidence of arthritis was higher in non-metros at 36.1% compared to metros (28.2%).
Sources
WebMD
Cleveland Clinic
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
MedicalNewsToday
America's Health Rankings
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