What is a chiropractor?
A chiropractor is a healthcare expert who employs a non-surgical approach to primarily diagnose and treat nervous system and musculoskeletal disorders. The chiropractor emphasizes spinal manipulation and manual adjustment to correct alignment problems that cause pain and other symptoms throughout the body.
What are the educational qualifications of a chiropractor?
Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.) degree, completing the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners examination, and securing a state license are all requirements for chiropractors in the U.S. Many states also mandate them to pass an exam about state-specific laws. All states instruct practicing chiropractors to take continuing education classes.
Students must finish 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 the accrediting body for universities that grant D.C. 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 and incomplete.
What does a chiropractor do?
Chiropractors evaluate a patient's muscle and spine reflexes. They also conduct tests and, if necessary, take X-rays, CT, and MRI scans to identify the patient's illness.
The evaluation may include the following areas -
- Reflexes of the deep tendon
- Strength
- Examination of the spine for suspected subluxations
- Range of motion in a spiral
- Neural stress test
They develop a treatment plan and monitor the patient's progress following the test. Spinal manipulation is a chiropractor's primary treatment.
Some of the other treatments include -
- Spinal mobilization
- Cervical traction
- Exercises for posture, strength, or flexibility
- Orthotic shoe supports
- Soft-tissue therapy
- Weight loss counseling
- Stretching and prolonged pressure
- Flexion-distraction therapy
- Electrical stimulation
- Joint bracing
- Spinal decompression
- Prescribing nutritional supplements
- Work habits modifications
- Heat or ice treatment
The majority of patients feel relief, and their health improves over time.
What are the reasons to seek chiropractic care?
Taking anti-inflammatory drugs and pain relievers may help you feel better temporarily. Still, they could also bring about new health issues. Rather than going for pain medications and surgery, see a chiropractor.
You may visit a chiropractor near you for the following reasons:
- Strengthening immunity
- Preventing diseases
- Fostering overall well-being
- Easing chronic back pain
- Treating arthritic joint functioning
- Relaxing neck and shoulder pain
- Increasing energy
- Minimizing headache
- Assisting with chronic pain
- Reducing inflammation
- Treating sciatica
- Improving athletic performance
- Aiding scoliosis
Chiropractors vs. physical therapists
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 they are both suitable for the treatment and co-treatment of a broad scope of symptoms and health issues, their technique and perspectives may vary to achieve the desired results.
A chiropractor prioritizes 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, after thorough evaluation and diagnosis, a physical therapist focuses on restoring strength, mobility, and function and managing pain in ill or injured patients. They design a treatment plan and suggest postures, exercises, therapies, and alternate ways to avoid injuries and pain.
What is spinal manipulation?
When chiropractors use their hands or a device to perform a controlled thrust to a joint of your spine, called spinal manipulation, chiropractic treatment generally includes spinal manipulation. Still, other licensed practitioners, such as osteopathic physicians and physical therapists, perform spinal manipulation.
Chiropractors use the spinal manipulation technique for the following pain conditions -
- Neck pain
- Low back pain
- Sciatica
- Shoulder pain
Spinal manipulation is safe when performed by licensed and trained practitioners.
There are many benefits of spinal manipulation. Some of them are as follows -
- Gives relief from pain - It provides permanent relief from back, shoulder, head, and neck pain.
- Alternative to surgery - The non-surgical approach keeps patients away from surgery.
- Improves flexibility - You will feel relief in your back, neck, and shoulders.
- Reduces drug dependence - It reduces the chances of pain medication.
Are chiropractic adjustments painful?
Chiropractors apply only controlled pressure to your joints or affected areas while adjusting. You may hear clicking sounds when the chiropractor performs such a procedure. However, these adjustments offer little to no pain.
If you have recently received chiropractic adjustments, you may feel slight pain like you do after a workout, but severe pain is highly unlikely.
Patients who receive chiropractic care are likely to experience mild soreness or discomfort, but this generally goes away within 24 hours. Ensure you contact a healthcare professional immediately if you feel unusual symptoms after your adjustment, such as weakness, numbness, or worsening pain.
Do chiropractic adjustments have any risks or complications?
Chiropractic care, when given by trained and licensed professionals, is typically safe and causes no side effects.
However, severe complications associated with chiropractic care can occur in rare instances. Such complications include-
- Herniated disks
- Worsening of an existing herniated disk
- A specific type of stroke may occur after neck manipulation
- Pinched nerves in the lower spinal column are called "Cauda equina syndrome." When nerves in the lumbar spine get compressed, sensation and movement may be cut off. Nerve roots that manage bowel and bladder function are especially vulnerable to damage.
What are the different chiropractic techniques, and how do they work?
Chiropractic care encompasses various techniques tailored to address spinal and musculoskeletal issues. These methods vary in approach, force application, and focus areas, offering patients different options depending on their needs and conditions.
- Cranial technique: This refers to a group of chiropractic approaches that involve manipulation or adjustment of the skull joints. Due to variations in individual skull anatomy, practitioners use different manipulation styles, and cavitation typically does not occur. These techniques resemble those used in the sacro-occipital technique.
- Sacro occipital technique: Chiropractors use triangular-shaped blocks placed under the patient’s pelvis (while lying face down) to address issues in the lower back. They may apply low-force, slow-pressure manipulations to joints, including those in the skull. Practitioners may use this technique exclusively or as a complementary approach.
- Palmer upper cervical: Also known as Toggle Recoil, this upper cervical (UC) technique targets dysfunctions in the upper neck vertebrae (C1 and C2). Practitioners use high-, low-, or no-force thrusts, including instrument-assisted methods, to deliver precise corrections. They commonly use X-rays, palpation, and thermographic analysis for clinical decisions. Cavitation typically does not occur.
- Gonstead technique: This hands-on method focuses on posterior-to-anterior (P-A) adjustments, distinguishing it from rotary-based diversified techniques. Chiropractors often use X-rays, palpation, and temperature gradient studies to determine which spinal segments to adjust. Cavitation often occurs.
- Cox flexion/distraction: Chiropractors use a special table to manually and mechanically flex and traction the spine, especially in the cervical & lumbar regions. This technique aims to relieve disc herniations, address non-disc spinal conditions, and improve spinal mobility.
- Logan basic: Practitioners apply gentle pressure to the sacral ligaments while applying light force to various spinal levels. This gentle method aims to reduce symptoms and restore muscle balance, making it suitable even for children.
- NIMMO/receptor tonus: Chiropractors target muscular issues—specifically trigger points—by applying ischemic compression (pressure) for a few seconds. This helps the muscles relax and return to their normal resting length, allowing associated bones to move correctly and restoring joint function.
When should you not seek chiropractic care?
The benefits of chiropractic care continue beyond pain relief, as it can alleviate many other conditions and symptoms. However, this procedure is only for some. While chiropractors can manage musculoskeletal disorders in patients of all ages, you must consult your doctor or a medical specialist before seeking chiropractic care.
On that note, individuals with the following issues should generally avoid chiropractic care or consult their physician.
- Bone-related physical injuries such as fractures
- Pre-existing herniated or slipped disk
- Severe or advanced osteoarthritis
- Severe osteoporosis
- Numbness, tingling, weakness, or loss of strength in an arm or leg
- Cancer in the spine
- An increased risk of stroke
- A detected bone abnormality in your upper neck
What should you expect during your appointment with a chiropractor?
During your first visit to a chiropractor, they will familiarize themselves with your medical history and ask about your recent health problems. Subsequently, they will conduct a physical exam to ascertain your range of motion and the severity of the issue with your musculoskeletal system. Depending on their diagnosis, they may also order imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans, and MRI scans.
Accordingly, the chiropractor will develop a customized treatment plan based on your condition. After that, they will begin performing the chiropractic adjustments. Make sure to wear loose-fitting clothing before visiting a chiropractor near you. Tight or regular clothing can get in the way of various positions. Hence, it would be best if you felt comfortable during the treatment.
The chiropractor will direct you to sit or lie on a padded table at the clinic. Throughout the appointment, they will apply pressure on different parts of the body and put you in various positions. Chiropractors can use their hands or small instruments to put pressure or stretch your joints beyond their normal range of motion.
Chiropractic adjustments can help release gases trapped within the joints and align them in place if they are out of their original position. Gases like carbon dioxide, oxygen, and nitrogen can get trapped within the small cavities of your joints. You will also hear popping sounds during the treatment, which is no cause for concern. It is the sound made by the release of gases. Moreover, the sound will be similar to when you crack your knuckles.
Although chiropractic adjustments offer little to no pain, you may feel tired or experience headaches. The treated area may also feel sore, but these effects are temporary and mild. After the treatment, your chiropractor may recommend some exercises and stretches for you to do at home. They may also prescribe heat and cold therapy and educate you on proper ergonomics for improving your posture. Furthermore, they offer lifestyle modifications and nutritional advice to help manage your weight. Some chiropractors may incorporate other forms of alternative medicine, like homeopathy or acupuncture, to speed up your healing process.
Finding a chiropractor in San Diego
Do you miss work due to back pain or an injury? Are you tired of being unable to sleep peacefully due to neck pain? Do opioid pain relievers irritate you? Do you have neck muscle tension? Are you an athlete who cannot focus on your performance due to an injury? Do you have apprehension about invasive treatments like surgery? If so, don't worry because Zocdoc is a one-stop platform that can help you with your situation.
On Zocdoc, you can book verified and top chiropractors in San Diego by mentioning the condition, date, and insurance plan. It is a trusted platform that adds verified patient reviews for those looking for chiropractic treatment in San Diego. You can view each chiropractor's real-time availability and select those who accept your insurance. To find providers within your insurance network, you can update your Zocdoc account's insurance information or choose your plan using the search filters. You can also take a picture of your insurance card and upload it to the Zocdoc app. Check out Zocdoc's patient help center to learn more. Most importantly, you can use Zocdoc to video visit your chiropractor.
You can read detailed information about each chiropractor, such as practice locations, educational qualifications, and the most common reasons for visits. Zocdoc will assist you in selecting the best and most qualified chiropractor near you for your treatment.
Here are some questions to consider when choosing a chiropractor suitable for you:
- What is the chiropractor's location?
- Is the chiropractor's education and training up to date?
- What are the visit hours?
- Is the chiropractor available after the stated visit hours?
- Does the chiropractor accept your insurance?
- Does the chiropractor have any publications?
- What equipment does the chiropractor's clinic have?
- What are the available payment methods?
- Is the chiropractor affiliated with any professional organizations?
Booking in-person or online appointments with Zocdoc is free, safe, and quick.
Chiropractor employment in San Diego
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, California has 2350 chiropractors, making it the third-most populous state in terms of chiropractic employment. The number of chiropractors in the state is 0.14 per thousand jobs.
According to the most recent May 2021 employment estimates, the chiropractor employment ratio in San Diego is 38.3%, with 0.272 jobs per 1000 people. Chiropractors earn an average of $83,980 per year.
According to a 2016 survey, 21.4% of chiropractors had been practicing for 6 to 10 years. 23.45% of chiropractors had been practicing for five years or less. 33.6% had been practicing for more than 20 years, and 21.7% had been practicing for 11 to 20 years.
Sources
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health
Renew Accident & Injury Chiropractic Clinic
Healthline[1]
Healthline[2]
California Department of Consumer Affairs[1]
California Department of Consumer Affairs[2]
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics[1]
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics[2]
WebMD
Verywell Health
Mayo Clinic
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
Wooster Community Hospital
Cleveland Clinic
The Chiropractic Resource Organization
