What is chiropractic?
Chiropractic is a healthcare discipline that specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of nervous and musculoskeletal system disorders, which can significantly impact overall health. The typical treatment for these conditions involves physical therapy, including spinal manipulation. In addition, chiropractors may recommend exercises and provide nutritional counseling to support the treatment process.
Chiropractic care can serve as a primary treatment method, especially in cases like lower back pain. If patients have other medical conditions, chiropractic services may complement or support their treatment by relieving musculoskeletal pain.
Through their patient-centered approach, doctors of chiropractic (D.C.s) enhance the physical well-being of people from all age groups, helping them live more fully and actively.
Who is a chiropractor?
Chiropractors treat over 35 million Americans (adults and children) annually. Pain due to bone diseases like arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, and osteoporosis is the common reason most seek chiropractic care. There are about 70,000 chiropractors in the USA. If you plan to visit a chiropractor in San Jose or are curious about the care, here is some helpful information.
A chiropractor is a licensed healthcare expert who is trained in chiropractic medicine. In the U.S., aspiring chiropractors attend a 4-year chiropractic course at a Council of Chiropractic Education (CCE) accredited college. Undergraduate education in life sciences subjects like anatomy, rehabilitation, physiology, etc, precedes this graduate program. Once they earn their chiropractic degree, they should clear the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners (NBCE) exam to acquire a license to practice.
Chiropractor vs. physical therapist
Both chiropractors and physical therapists are licensed healthcare professionals who treat and manage stiffness, chronic body pain, and discomfort through diverse treatment methods across different age groups. They aim to improve patients' flexibility and mobility by developing personalized treatment plans based on their injuries, needs, and physical condition. Although both are 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 focuses on the nervous 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, physical therapists evaluate and diagnose injuries and illnesses to restore strength, mobility, and function while managing pain. They design a treatment plan and suggest postures, exercises, therapies, and alternate ways to avoid injuries and pain.
What are some common chiropractic treatments?
Chiropractors are trained to use their hands to deliver varying degrees of pressure to relieve pain. Below are the standard treatment modalities in chiropractic care:
- Adjustments: This is the foremost technique in chiropractic care in which chiropractors position the patient in specific ways and apply a controlled amount of force with their hands or small instruments to relieve joint stiffness. Also known as spinal/joint manipulation, cracking or popping sounds are often heard. When manipulated mechanically, joints sometimes release air that creates a popping sound. However, the absence of sound doesn't mean the joint is not adjusted. A trained chiropractor can recognize how much pressure is needed for each joint and will perform accordingly.
- Activator method: In this procedure, chiropractors use a handheld device known as an Activator Adjustment Instrument to deliver force precisely to different parts of the patient's body. The effects are similar to spinal adjustment; however, using an activator helps impart force to even the smallest knot or vertebrae without tensing the muscles. The patient lies face down, and the difference in their apparent leg length is measured to understand the possible misalignment in the spine.
- Taping and bracing: If you have pulled a muscle recently, your chiropractor will examine the affected area and recommend taping with adhesive tape. The tape supports the injured muscle, reduces inflammation, and aids in recovery while it continues to function. A rigid adhesive strapping or sports tape restricts unnecessary movements in moderate to severe joint or ligament injuries. On the other hand, Kinesio tape provides dynamic support, unlike rigid strapping tape. Athletes and bodybuilders prefer it to reduce muscle cramps by facilitating blood flow and lymphatic drainage to the affected area. Meanwhile, bracing stabilizes or supports the activity of a joint/muscle. Your chiropractor will advise you on how long you must wear a brace daily.
- Trigger point therapy: In this technique, your chiropractor applies optimum pressure on the tender spots in your arms/back/legs/shoulders for at least 30-45 seconds to flush the toxins within the knot. Painful knots can often lead to localized or referred pain in other parts of the body. Therefore, effectively working on the knot reduces pain and mobility issues around it.
- Massages and soft-tissue therapy: Your chiropractor will recommend supportive treatments like massages to enhance your recovery. Massages improve blood flow to the affected muscle and increase lymphatic drainage. They aid in reducing stress and relaxing the body and mind. In soft-tissue therapy, chiropractors use a variety of instruments, such as foam rollers, muscle scrapers, and more, to break down those nagging knots in your body. It is done as a complementary treatment to chiropractic adjustments.
- Diversified technique: The diversified technique, the most commonly used chiropractic treatment, combines various aspects of other methods of chiropractic manipulation. It involves using a low-amplitude thrust to adjust your arms/legs and spinal column and correct any joint dysfunction.
- Thompson drop table technique: The Thompson drop table technique involves using a special segmented treatment table to diagnose and adjust spinal alignment problems. The pneumatic power of the table lets your chiropractor move the different segments while adjusting your spine. During adjusting a specific body part, they drop the segment supporting that part to reset a joint when it is in motion. Not all chiropractors can administer this technique; providers must undergo additional training to familiarize themselves with it.
Additionally, your chiropractor will evaluate your diet and lifestyle habits to recommend a treatment plan best suited for you. They even suggest an exercise and stretching routine to release tension and enhance the function of your joints. Often, bad posture, a sedentary lifestyle, and poor dietary choices are why people end up with musculoskeletal issues. Holistic chiropractic care can help you manage your pain better and boost your recovery for your overall well-being.
What is spinal manipulation?
Spinal manipulation is a technique in which medical professionals use their hands or a device to apply controlled pressure to a joint of your spine.
The force applied can vary, but it is designed to move the joint more than it would move on its own. Spinal manipulation differs from spinal mobilization, which doesn't involve pressure, is performed within a joint's normal range of motion, and is controlled by the patient.
Chiropractors typically perform spinal manipulations, although other professionals, such as osteopathic physicians and physical therapists, may employ this technique. Spinal manipulation treats lower back pain, neck pain, headache, sciatica, and other conditions.
What happens when you visit a chiropractor?
Below is a list of symptoms for which you could seek a chiropractor near you:
- Migraines or frequent headaches
- Shooting pain
- Painful or reduced mouth-opening
- Persistent back pain
- Neck pain
- Restricted joint mobility
- Sprains
On your first appointment, your chiropractor will inquire about the specific pain and the duration of your suffering to determine whether it is an acute or chronic condition. Following this, they ask about your general history to know more about your lifestyle and medications (if any) and to rule out or consider any other disorders related to your pain. During the initial examination, the chiropractor will instruct you to walk a few times across the room so they can detect any discrepancy in your legs, pelvis, or spine. They check the leg length to see where the alignment of your pelvis is correct. If your TMJ (temporomandibular joint) or any other joint is the source of your distress, they will examine its flexibility and range of motion.
Once the examination is done, your chiropractor will send you for investigations like blood/urine tests, X-rays, or CT/MRI scans based on their initial diagnosis of your condition. The chiropractor creates a treatment plan based on your history and investigation report. It consists mainly of chiropractic adjustments and supplementary soft-tissue therapy or taping if needed. The number of appointments depends on the severity of your condition, other underlying medical issues, age, and overall health.
How does a chiropractic adjustment work?
A chiropractic adjustment is a treatment method to reduce pain and correct alignment issues. Licensed chiropractors use their hands or special instruments for this method. Generally, people with arthritis, frequent headaches, joint pain, lower back pain, sciatica, or stiff muscles choose to receive a chiropractic adjustment, usually along with traditional medical care.
With these adjustments, chiropractors aim to ensure that your joints are moving correctly and that the surrounding muscles function optimally. This treatment method can help:
- Improve posture
- Minimize migraines and neck-related headaches
- Reduce the pain in the spine or joints
- Improve range of motion
- Reduce symptoms of chronic conditions such as osteoarthritis
- Treat minor spine or neck injuries like whiplash
While many people find immediate relief from this treatment, some may have mild soreness or pain in the treated parts of the body. These symptoms usually disappear within 24 hours and even reduce with regular adjustments. Your chiropractor may recommend exercises, stretches, icing/heat therapy, and topical analgesics to speed up recovery. They may also advise you on positions for sitting at your desk, standing, moving, and lying in bed. Following these tips can help you in the long run by preventing conditions caused by poor habits.
Contact your chiropractor if you notice unusual symptoms like weakness or numbness after an adjustment.
Benefits of visiting a chiropractor near you
Chiropractic care can offer various benefits, such as:
- Relief from neck pain: Neck discomfort is a widespread issue, particularly among individuals who spend long hours seated or struggle with poor posture. Chiropractic adjustments can help by realigning the spine and relieving muscle tension in the neck.
- Reduced dependence on opioid painkillers: Patients dealing with chronic pain are often prescribed opioids, but chiropractic care may reduce the need for these medications. A major study from 2020 showed that individuals receiving both chiropractic and standard medical care for spinal pain were less likely to have opioid prescriptions filled than those who saw only a medical doctor.
- Relief from back pain: Chiropractic care is often considered a non-invasive option for managing short- and long-term back pain, potentially helping avoid surgery or injections. A 2017 review concluded that spinal adjustments offer moderate short-term relief and improved functionality in people with back pain.
- Potential support for osteoarthritis symptoms: Osteoarthritis occurs when joint cartilage breaks down, causing bones to rub against each other. Some chiropractic techniques may help improve joint alignment and reduce friction. While human studies are limited, a 2020 animal study showed that chiropractic manipulation may slow arthritis progression by enhancing the health of cartilage and joints.
- Relief from headaches: Manual spinal adjustments may help reduce symptoms of tension headaches and those linked to neck problems. A 2016 study found that 6 to 8 chiropractic sessions targeting the upper spine were more effective than movement exercises for relieving chronic headache pain, with results lasting for at least three months.
- Cost-effective for chronic back pain: For long-term back pain sufferers, chiropractic treatment may be more affordable than traditional medical approaches. A 2016 study involving Medicare recipients found those who received chiropractic care incurred lower treatment costs and had shorter recovery durations than those who underwent conventional care.
- Higher patient satisfaction: Patients generally report positive experiences with chiropractic services. A 2015 study involving 544 patients showed high satisfaction rates, with 92% noting pain relief and 80% reporting improved mobility.
- Improved scoliosis outcomes: Chiropractic interventions may help reduce the bending of the spine in scoliosis patients, as measured by the Cobb angle. A 2016 study involving five children showed a reduction in spinal curvature after eight weeks of care, with noticeable results within four weeks.
- Enhanced posture: Chiropractic adjustments can help correct bad posture, especially for people who have to frequently spend a lot of time sitting. In a 2017 case study, a 27-year-old woman experiencing pain due to hyperkyphosis (hunchback posture) showed marked improvement in both posture and symptoms after 30 chiropractic sessions over six months.
- Potential for better athletic function: Some evidence suggests chiropractic care may enhance athletic performance by increasing joint flexibility, reducing discomfort, and easing soft tissue restrictions. However, a 2019 review found that these benefits may be more significant for individuals experiencing pain rather than symptom-free athletes.
Are there any risks to chiropractic care?
While chiropractic treatment is safe when performed by a trained and licensed provider, serious complications can occur in rare cases. These include:
To avoid such complications, avoid seeking chiropractic care if you have any of the following:
Finding the best chiropractors in San Jose, California
Zocdoc is the one-stop destination for making an informed decision about your next chiropractic visit. In San Jose, Zocdoc helps you find the right chiropractor near you and choose a practitioner based on your specific requirements. You must log on to the Zocdoc website and enter your complaint, insurance carrier plan, and date of choice when visiting online/in person.
The website's insurance checker feature helps you find providers within your insurance network. When booking an appointment on Zocdoc, the website prompts you to share details about your insurance or to acknowledge that you are paying out of pocket. Some healthcare providers need you to provide insurance information in order to schedule appointments with them. If you do not have insurance or do not want to use insurance for your appointment, you can always find another suitable provider on Zocdoc. Check Zocdoc’s patient help center for more insurance-related queries.
For a hassle-free decision-making process, the website lists chiropractors in San Jose with more details like their educational background, years of service, specialty, and verified patient reviews. You may filter the results based on language, gender, distance, and other factors.
Zocdoc also provides user-verified reviews and ratings for every chiropractor near you listed on the website. All bookings on Zocdoc are simple, secure, and free.
Chiropractor statistics in San Jose, California
As per the National Health Interview Survey data by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
- Nearly three in five adults (58.9%) experienced pain in the past three months of 2019.
- About 39% of adults had back pain, 36.5% had lower limb pain, and 30.7% had upper limb pain.
- Women (40.6%) were more likely to have back pain than men (37.2%).
- The prevalence of pain in all three areas increased with age, with the highest among adults 65 years and older.
Those experiencing back pain, migraines, and similar pain-related concerns can benefit from chiropractic care. The Agency for Health Care Policy and Research report states that over 50% of medical providers refer patients to chiropractors for care. Researchers have also found that chiropractic care for lower back pain is 40% more effective than drug therapy. Regular chiropractic care for your musculoskeletal disorders can reduce pharmaceutical costs by 85%.
The state-level data for California by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a 33% incidence rate of musculoskeletal disorders that led to days away from work in the private sector in 2017. Roughly 92.5% of workers' compensation claims across California industries were related to musculoskeletal disorders, representing over 8,000 claims per year.
As of May 2021, California has the third-highest number of chiropractors in the country, with roughly 2,350 active practitioners. The San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara metropolitan region has approximately 90 active chiropractors.
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