Who is a chiropractor?
Chiropractic physicians diagnose, treat, and prevent illnesses of the spine, neck, and joints using adjustments performed by their hands or other equipment. However, they don't provide medication prescriptions. Instead, they focus on how the body may mend itself to reduce pain and improve overall health. Back pain, neck discomfort, and headaches are the most common conditions they cure.
Also, most chiropractors use complementary therapies such as soft tissue therapy, joint bracing, stretches, and adjustments. They seek to achieve proper bodily alignments for standing, sitting, and sleeping in the correct posture. Chiropractic treatment can benefit everyone, including young children, adults, and older people.
Educational qualifications and training of chiropractors
Before enrolling in chiropractic school, students must complete an undergraduate degree in a science field, such as biology or kinesiology. They must also undertake a year-long internship with a licensed chiropractor as part of their training.
Finally, they must take the necessary exams to obtain their license and board certification. After getting their degree, chiropractic physicians (DCs) have two options: starting to practice or seeking specialty training by pursuing a two—to three-year residency.
Common conditions treated by a chiropractor
Chiropractic treatment can help manage disorders, damages, and joint misalignments, particularly in the spinal area. It can aid in fixing various issues, such as poor body posture. Chiropractors can also address problems associated with the joints, which can impact the body's overall well-being, including the working of the nervous system.
The most common ailments treated with chiropractic treatment include the following:
Headache: Chiropractic treatment effectively addresses tension headaches and migraines. These headaches arise from trigger points in the neck muscles, including the sternocleidomastoid, trapezius, suboccipital, and splenius muscles. The chiropractor will identify the right trigger point and offer appropriate chiropractic treatment to heal the ailment.
Neck pain: The neck is one of the most delicate and critical body parts. It consists of seven small vertebrae, which form the cervical spine. Neck pain is a common issue that people of all ages experience. It may arise due to misalignment of the vertebrae. In this situation, your chiropractor will do diagnostic tests to determine the cause of the issue before using the proper chiropractic adjustments.
Arthritis: Chiropractors can treat rheumatoid arthritis (an immune system disorder) and osteoarthritis (a tissue degeneration problem due to hormone imbalance, aging, or vitamin deficiency) and effectively manage their symptoms. They work to manipulate the joints to improve their range of motion and restore the patient's physical mobility.
Back problems: Chiropractors can treat posture ailments, general discomfort, local joint pain, and more complex chronic musculoskeletal issues, such as fibromyalgia in the back area.
Musculoskeletal conditions: Chiropractic treatment can help correct various musculoskeletal disorders such as:
- Fractures, sprains, strains
- Ligament injuries, tendinitis, epicondylitis
- Plantar fasciitis, whiplash, myelopathy
- Herniated discs, osteoarthritis, shin splints
- Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS)
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Chronic discomfort, scurvy, scoliosis
- Muscle, ligament, or joint pulls and tears
- Ruptured tendons or discs
- Frozen joints or joint dislocation
- The after-effects of strokes
Besides addressing the issues mentioned above, chiropractors near you can also teach suitable exercises and provide nutrition counseling to enhance the benefits of musculoskeletal manipulation treatment. Regularly seeing a good chiropractor is crucial to maintain proper spinal alignment and improve overall well-being.
Common chiropractic adjustments
- The diversified technique: The three primary objectives of the diversified approach are to treat joint dysfunction, realign the spine, and guarantee mobility and maximum flexibility. With incredibly accurate and hands-on motions, practitioners can expand a patient's range of motion, which misaligned joints or bones may have impacted. They restore spinal alignment using this extensively used technique.
- Spinal manipulation: Also called manual therapy or spinal mobilization, chiropractors and physical therapists use this to relieve joint stress, enhance nerve function, and reduce inflammation. Although it is a manual treatment approach, spinal mobilization uses milder thrusting actions and more intense forms of stretching.
- Thompson drop-table technique: A specially designed table with padded platforms and drop mechanisms slightly drops the patient while the chiropractor accomplishes the adjustment with a quick thrust. Patients enjoy the relaxing and descending motion that simulates gentle vibration.
The Gonstead adjustment: This adjustment restores maximum mobility and proper disc alignment. The patient can sit or rest on either side to undergo this therapy. The accuracy of the hand's contact point is one distinctive feature of this adjustment. The technique is commonly used to correct lower back or pelvis poster issues.
- The activator method: Chiropractors routinely use a compact, portable activator device to administer a little shock to the extremities or vertebral segments of the spine. By adjusting the tone of the nerve system, the spring-loaded device can treat various issues, from migraines to lower back pain.
- Flexion distraction: The flexion-distraction technique uses a unique table to gently and rhythmically distract and flex the spine. Chiropractors widely use this method to treat disc issues that cause symptoms like leg and back aches. It is an excellent option for people who have recently suffered injuries or are more sensitive than average to other changes because the therapy is painless and not uncomfortable.
- Spinal decompression: This may be better referred to as a chiropractic technique than an adjustment, given its effectiveness in treating lower back pain caused by bulging, herniated, degenerative, and slipped discs. By gently stretching the spine on a specialized table, spinal decompression promotes a healthy flow of water, oxygen, and other essential fluids into the discs and throughout the spine.
What is arthritis, and can it be cured?
A common disorder that results in discomfort, swelling, and restricted movement is arthritis. It impacts connective tissues and joints. In the US, arthritis affects millions. Interestingly, women experience arthritis and other rheumatic disorders more frequently than males. Arthritis is commonly connected to aging but could impact anyone regardless of the same.
Arthritis has no known treatment. However, maintaining a functioning joint is crucial to minimizing pain and inflammation. To achieve this, follow a treatment strategy with your healthcare professional, incorporating therapy and medication.
Further, you can also try to implement the following lifestyle changes to help manage arthritis:
- Losing weight: Extra pounds put weight-bearing joints, such as the knees and hips, under more stress. Thus, it is advisable to consider maintaining a healthy weight.
- Exercise or 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 can also make joints more flexible.
- Usage of assistive devices: Crutches, canes, and walkers can keep stress off certain joints and improve or provide added balance.
- Usage of adaptive equipment: Tools like grabbers and reachers let you extend your reach and reduce strain. Dressing aids can also help you get dressed quickly.
- Medication management: Long-term use of some anti-inflammatory medications can lead to stomach bleeding. You should consult with your healthcare provider to create a plan to reduce that risk.
Questions to pose to your chiropractor before beginning care
Gathering all necessary information to ensure the treatment aligns with your health goals and specific needs is essential when considering chiropractic care. Below are key questions to discuss with your chiropractor before beginning treatment:
Will chiropractic treatment improve my condition?
Chiropractic care effectively addresses back and neck pain, arthritis, sciatica, stress, tension, and more. It also improves posture and helps prevent sports injuries. While chiropractic medicine is versatile, discuss with your chiropractor whether this treatment will benefit your condition.
What is your approach to treatment?
Since chiropractors use diverse techniques, ask about their preferred methods or combinations. Common approaches include spinal manipulation, mobilization, dry needling, and massage therapy. Inquire how they would address your particular condition and why they consider their approach the most suitable for your needs.
What is the duration of each session, and how frequently will I require treatments?
Treatment duration and frequency vary depending on individual cases. Ask your chiropractor to provide general timelines for improvement, specify the typical session length, and detail how often you will need treatments. This will help you effectively plan your schedule and finances.
Are there any dangers involved in receiving chiropractic care?
Although chiropractic care is non-invasive, potential risks vary depending on your condition and techniques. Discuss these risks with your chiropractor to fully understand what to expect and ensure you're comfortable with the proposed treatment.
How much does the treatment cost?
Chiropractic treatment costs can differ significantly. Ask for an estimated breakdown of expenses upfront to avoid unexpected charges. While many health insurance plans cover 50–100% of chiropractic care, clarify whether your plan includes this coverage or if you'll need to pay out-of-pocket.
How to find a chiropractor in Round Rock, Texas, that best suits your needs?
Are you looking for a chiropractor near you who can meet your needs? Zocdoc can help you narrow down your search.
Signing up on Zocdoc can save you from hassle, as the platform lets you filter out chiropractors based on several criteria. These include your preferred day and time for the appointment, zip code or location, and your medical insurance carrier plan, to name a few.
After entering your information into the search bar, Zocdoc will scan its database of millions of chiropractors near you. Subsequently, it will list doctors that best meet your needs. You can schedule appointments at your convenience, either in-person or online, using Zocdoc.
Each doctor on Zocdoc has a unique profile with details about their training, experience, and working style. Patients can access this data by clicking on a doctor's name. The profile includes thorough information about chiropractors' educational backgrounds, areas of expertise, credentials, licenses, affiliations, accreditation, and other relevant details. Zocdoc also allows you to filter results based on parameters such as the chiropractor's gender, the languages they speak best, their office locations, and the types of health insurance they accept. If you want to know your insurance plan, upload an image of your insurance card to your Zocdoc account, and we will find and display information regarding your insurance plan (this facility is not available for vision or dental plans). You can even contact the Zocdoc service team if you need help uploading a photo of your card. You can also check out Zocdoc's patient help center for more information and solutions related to insurance. Moreover, verified patient reviews and ratings are also available on the provider pages on Zocdoc. This can further assist you in selecting a trustworthy physician. With Zocdoc, reservations are easy, secure, and cost-free.
Statistical overview of chiropractors and prevalence of arthritis in Texas
The Texas Department of State Health Services reported that in 2020, Texas had around 5,807 licensed chiropractors actively providing services. This number has increased by approximately 9% since 2015 and about 21.8% since 2010. The size of the chiropractic workforce has increased by nearly 4% in the last ten years.
The frequency of arthritis among Texas adults increased from almost 20.7% in 2019 to roughly 20.9% in 2020, according to America's Health Rankings. In 2020, nearly 16.4% of males and approximately 25.1% of women had some form of arthritis. In 2020, around 27.6% of individuals between the ages of 45 and 64 and almost 49.6% of people over 65 had arthritis.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that the percentage of adults with a doctor's diagnosis of arthritis varies significantly across most states. Most people in the United States with a doctor's diagnosis of arthritis reside in the South. On the other hand, Texas, Hawaii, California, and other regions of the Midwest had the lowest percentages of people with arthritis.
Sources
Texas Department of State Health Services
America's Health Rankings
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
New York State Department of Labor
Johns Hopkins Medicine
Bradford House Chiropractic Clinic
CB Physiotherapy
Wooster Community Hospital
