What is chiropractic?
Chiropractic focuses on disorders of the nervous and musculoskeletal systems and their effects on an individual's general health. Chiropractic services treat musculoskeletal-related problems, including, but not limited to, neck pain, back pain, pain in the legs or arms joints, and headaches. Typically, the treatment involves physical therapy, often including spinal manipulation. Other treatment methods, such as exercise and nutritional counseling, may also be used.
Through their patient-centered approach, doctors of chiropractic (D.C.s) elevate the physical well-being of people of all age groups by helping them live more fully and actively.
Who is a chiropractor?
Chiropractors, also called Doctors of Chiropractic (D.C.) or chiropractic physicians, follow a hands-on approach to healthcare, including a patient's examination, diagnosis, and treatment. They have comprehensive diagnostic skills and training to advise rehabilitative and therapeutic exercises and provide nutritional and lifestyle counseling.
Chiropractors may evaluate their patients through clinical examination, laboratory testing, imaging, and other medical interventions to determine appropriate chiropractic treatment. They will readily refer patients to the relevant specialist when chiropractic intervention is not suitable for their condition or if it warrants co-management with other healthcare professionals.
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 musculoskeletal pain.
What are the educational qualifications of a chiropractor?
In the United States, aspiring chiropractors must clear the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners exam, secure a Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.) degree, and obtain a state license to practice. In many states, passing an exam assessing state-specific laws is mandatory, and all states instruct practicing chiropractors to take continuing education classes.
Students must complete at least three years of undergraduate education to enroll in a four-year D.C. program in the United States. The U.S. Secretary of Education recognizes the Council on Chiropractic Education as an accrediting agency for institutions that award the D.C. degree.
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 postgraduate education in specialized fields, such as orthopedics or pediatrics.
The scope of chiropractors' practice, i.e., the types of services they are allowed to practice, differs from state to state. Health insurance plans cover chiropractic, but coverage is usually partial rather than complete.
What are some conditions treated by chiropractors?
Chiropractors specialize in treating various conditions by aligning the body to facilitate self-healing. Here's an insight into some common ailments they address:
- Tension headaches: These headaches, often stemming from stress and poor posture, cause pain in the head and neck. Chiropractic adjustments, along with tailored stretching exercises, can alleviate discomfort. Additionally, chiropractors offer guidance on stress reduction techniques and proper posture for headache relief.
- Knee pain: Knee osteoarthritis, primarily caused due to joint wear and tear, is effectively managed through chiropractic care. Combining back and knee adjustments yields better outcomes than exercises alone, reducing pain and improving mobility over a few weeks.
- Whiplash: Typically caused by neck sprains after car accidents, whiplash induces neck pain and stiffness. Chiropractic adjustments, complemented by prescribed exercises and stretching regimes, alleviate symptoms. Furthermore, chiropractors advise applying heat or ice to relieve muscle spasms and swelling.
- Migraine headaches: Studies indicate that chiropractic spinal manipulations can lower migraine frequency and pain intensity by reducing overall stress levels. Additionally, chiropractors offer nutritional guidance and dietary modifications to manage migraines and other headaches effectively.
- Sacroiliac pain: Issues with the sacroiliac (SI) joint cause distinct low back pain, often felt in the buttocks or thighs. Chiropractic adjustments and core-strengthening exercises alleviate SI joint strain and discomfort. Chiropractors also guide the prevention of SI joint strain.
- Shoulder pain: Beyond back and neck ailments, chiropractors address conditions like frozen shoulder syndrome. Through targeted muscle stretching and personalized at-home exercises, chiropractic care enhances shoulder mobility and reduces pain associated with this condition.
- Low back pain: Studies on spinal manipulation primarily target low back pain. Certain studies indicate that individuals with low back pain may experience more significant relief through chiropractic care compared to conventional medical treatments provided by family doctors.
What is spinal manipulation?
Spinal manipulation, or chiropractic adjustment, occurs when medical practitioners use their hands or a device to apply controlled pressure to a spine joint. The force varies, but the pressure helps move the joint more than it would otherwise. Spinal manipulation differs from spinal mobilization, which does not 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 licensed professionals, including physical therapists and osteopathic physicians, also use this technique. Spinal manipulation treats lower back pain, neck pain, headache, sciatica, and other conditions.
FAQs on preparing for your first chiropractic appointment
If you have scheduled your first chiropractic appointment, you may wonder how to prepare for it and maximize your time with the provider. You're not alone--most patients have the same concerns. The following compilation of FAQs should give you all the information you need to go to your consultation well-prepared:
What should I carry to the chiropractic appointment?
Before your appointment, spend some time gathering the necessary documents you will need for the initial onboarding facilities. You must also take the items you will need for a practical discussion with the chiropractor. Here's a complete list of things you should bring with you:
- Your photo ID
- Your insurance card
- Doctor's referral letter (if applicable)
- The form of payment accepted at the provider's office
- Medical records
- Prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, and supplements
- A list of questions
What will the chiropractor ask me?
The chiropractor will discuss your symptoms in detail to understand your condition better. You can prepare answers to typical questions such as:
- What are your symptoms?
- When did the symptoms begin?
- What, according to you, triggered the symptoms?
- Does anything make your symptoms better or worse?
- Have you tried any treatments in the past? Did they help in any way?
- How are your symptoms affecting your everyday life?
What should you wear during your chiropractic appointment?
The first chiropractic appointment will involve a comprehensive physical exam to assess your pain level, strength, flexibility, and other parameters related to your condition. It will help the chiropractor prepare a relevant treatment plan. Furthermore, the provider may perform chiropractic adjustments. Keeping this in mind, you should wear loose-fitting, comfortable clothes that allow movement and easy access to the affected areas. Athletic clothing, including sports bras, t-shirts, sweatpants, and running shoes are recommended.
What will happen during a chiropractic massage near you?
While spinal manipulation focuses on improving bone and joint function, chiropractic massage targets the muscles and soft tissues. It also benefits the nervous, circulatory, and lymphatic systems. Hence, chiropractors perform the two techniques together to provide full-body health benefits.
During the massage, your chiropractor will apply pressure and knead the affected areas using their hands. If the intensity of the massage is uncomfortable, you can tell them so that they can adjust the pressure to make it more bearable. Massaging helps relax the tight muscles, making it easier to change the stuck joints later. The provider may also massage after the joint adjustments to reduce soreness and help the body recover.
The combination of spinal adjustments and chiropractic massage has various benefits besides pain relief. A chiropractor near you can help improve your posture, blood circulation, flexibility, range of motion, mobility, and overall health.
What are some other chiropractic modalities?
Besides spinal manipulation and chiropractic massage, the chiropractor will include other relevant interventions in your treatment plan to boost recovery and prevent future problems. Some of them include:
- Exercise and stretches: It consists of at-home exercises and stretches to strengthen targeted muscles and joints.
- Spinal traction: It uses a unique device to lengthen the spine and relieve pain.
- Ultrasound: It produces sound waves that provide deep heating to soft tissues.
- Heat and ice therapy: Applying ice and heat to the affected area has many benefits, including improved blood circulation, muscle relaxation, and reduced swelling.
- Transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation (TENS) involves using low-voltage electrical currents to treat pain.
- Lifestyle and diet changes: Smoking, excessive drinking, lack of regular exercise, sleep deprivation, and poor food choices are some of the habits that can worsen your health condition and slow down your recovery. Your chiropractor will suggest lifestyle changes and a diet plan to improve and maintain your physical and mental health.
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 patients' injury type, needs, and body ailment, they aim to improve their flexibility and mobility through a personalized plan. While both are suitable for treating and co-treating a broad scope of symptoms and health issues, their technique and perspectives may vary to achieve the desired results.
A chiropractor treats problems with the neurological and musculoskeletal 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 body function. After thorough evaluation and diagnosis, they also help manage pain. They design a treatment plan and suggest postures, exercises, therapies, and alternate ways to avoid injuries and pain.
How do you find the best chiropractor near you in Plano, TX?
Is your chronic back pain hampering your daily activities? 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 find the best chiropractor, offering spinal manipulation and massage in Plano.
Enter your location (Plano, Texas), doctor specialty (chiropractor), preferred appointment date, and insurance plan. An extensive list based on your search criteria will appear. You can use our insurance detector feature if you cannot find your particular health plan in the drop-down menu. To do so, create a Zocdoc account, go to settings, and upload a clear photo of your insurance card. We will scan it and suggest your likely plan. You can then continue your search for in-network providers in your vicinity. If you have image uploading difficulties, contact our service team, and if you have further insurance-related questions, go through our patient help center page.
At Zocdoc, transparency is of the utmost value. So, each physiatrist's profile includes a brief introduction, education qualifications, location, accreditations, and, most importantly, patient reviews. If you want to filter your results by gender, Zocdoc can provide a list fitting your gender preference. Before an in-person visit to a chiropractor, you can also book video appointments on Zocdoc to gain a better understanding.
You can book appointments with a chiropractor near you who accepts your insurance plan in real time. All Zocdoc bookings are 100% safe, quick, and free!
Physical health in Plano, Texas
According to the 2020 demographics on chiropractors by the Statewide Health Coordinating Council, around 5,807 licensed chiropractors are currently practicing in Texas. Additionally, there has been a 9.0% increase in chiropractors since 2015. The recorded data also states that around 25.9% of the active chiropractors in Texas were above 65 in 2020.
Sources
Hands Down Better
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health[1]
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health[2]
Renew Accident & Injury Chiropractic Clinic[1]
Reagan Integrated Sports Medicine
Renew Accident & Injury Chiropractic Clinic[2]
Family Chiropractic Plus
Healthgrades[1]
Healthgrades[2]
Healthgrades[3]
Healthgrades[4]
Better Health Alaska
Spine-health
Spring Creek Medical Center
