What is chiropractic?
Chiropractic is a medical branch focusing on the nervous system and musculoskeletal diseases and how they affect people's overall health. Chiropractic care usually addresses musculoskeletal problems like headaches, joint pain, and neck pain.
Doctors of chiropractic (DCs) improve overall health and wellness by assisting people of all ages to live more freely and actively through their patient-centered, whole-person approach.
What do chiropractic doctors do?
Doctors of Chiropractic (DCs), also known as chiropractors or chiropractic doctors, are trained in hands-on patient examination, diagnosis, and treatment methods. In addition to their extensive diagnostic abilities, chiropractors get trained to provide therapeutic and rehabilitative activities and offer nutritional, dietary, and lifestyle counseling.
DCs may evaluate patients through clinical examinations, laboratory tests, diagnostic imaging, and other diagnostic treatments to decide which chiropractic treatment is appropriate. When chiropractic treatment is unsuitable for a patient, or the condition requires co-management with other healthcare professionals, chiropractors will gladly refer patients to the proper healthcare practitioner.
Chiropractic therapy may be the primary treatment method for a patient in many situations, such as lower back discomfort. Chiropractic care can help treat other medical issues by reducing the musculoskeletal pain they cause when other medical conditions are present.
Qualification of a chiropractor
Chiropractors must possess a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) degree, excel in the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners test, and hold a state license to operate in the United States. All states demand that licensed chiropractors complete continuing education courses, and many also demand that chiropractors pass exams on state-specific laws. Students must have completed at least three years of undergraduate study to enroll in a DC program in the United States, which generally lasts four years.
The Council on Chiropractic Education, acknowledged as an accrediting organization by the US Secretary of Education, accredits institutions that grant the DC degree. Chiropractic education includes introductory science courses like anatomy and physiology, as well as supervised clinical rotations where students gain knowledge of diagnostic procedures, including spine examination and adjustments. Some chiropractors pursue advanced degrees in specialty areas like orthopedics or pediatrics.
What is the difference between a chiropractor and an osteopath?
Chiropractors and osteopaths focus on the bones, connective tissue, and muscles to improve your body's function and structure. Osteopaths typically complete a 4-year course to earn a BSc degree (BOst). At the same time, chiropractors undergo 4-5 years of training, including a BSc in human sciences and chiropractic, followed by a year of postgraduate training to earn their degree in chiropractic.
A common technique both professionals use is the "high-velocity thrust," a short and sharp motion performed on the spine. Chiropractors usually apply this thrust using their hands, whereas osteopaths often use the patient's arms and legs to achieve the same effect. Both professions share many other similar movements.
Chiropractors might use X-rays to help diagnose conditions, while osteopaths generally use them to rule out other potential issues.
Chiropractic treatment typically involves a series of six sessions, with the initial ones being more frequent and later sessions occurring every week. In contrast, osteopathic treatment is often on an "as-needed" basis.
Conditions treated by chiropractors
Chiropractic treatment addresses damage and misalignment of the joints, particularly those along the spine. It can treat many conditions since it can cure specific joint problems and general posture, which affects your entire health, especially your neurological system.
- Back problems: Patients may visit a chiropractor for help with general aches and pains, postural issues, localized pain, or more complicated conditions like fibromyalgia, a long-term musculoskeletal condition.
- Headache: Your chiropractor can assist you if you experience tension headaches by locating trigger points in your neck muscles. Suboccipitals, Splenius muscles, Trapezius, and Sternocleidomastoid are possible trigger points.
- Arthritis: Osteoarthritis arises from tissue deterioration brought on by aging, hormone problems, or vitamin inadequacies. An immune system condition causes rheumatoid arthritis. Chiropractic adjustments and efforts to increase patients' mobility can assist and treat both types of arthritis.
- Neck pain: Your neck is one of your most vital yet delicate body components, and it can sometimes cause severe pain. Chiropractors call this structure the "cervical spine," which comprises seven tiny vertebrae.
- Musculoskeletal conditions: These include sprains, strains, tendonitis, herniated discs, ruptured discs or tendons, ligament injuries, fractures, dislocations, frozen joints, etc.
What is a chiropractic adjustment?
A chiropractic adjustment, also known as spinal or joint manipulation, is a standard treatment for lower back pain. It aims to correct posture, reduce nerve irritability, increase range of motion, and improve physical functions.
A chiropractor uses special instruments or hands to apply a controlled force on a specific spinal joint in this procedure. The pressure pushes the joint beyond its range of motion, relieving pain, improving posture, and increasing spinal movement and physical functions. It is common to hear popping and cracking as the chiropractor moves the joints during treatment.
A chiropractic adjustment is safe and effective when performed by a licensed and well-trained chiropractor. It helps improve muscle balance and restore joint functions. It also reduces undue stress on the immune system, significantly decreasing the risk of any diseases.
A few people may experience minor temporary side effects such as fatigue, pain in the treated body part, or headache. These symptoms go away within a few days post-treatment. Chiropractors recommend various techniques to manage these symptoms effectively. Chiropractic adjustments can effectively treat spine-related conditions, back pain, neck pain, and headaches.
Types of chiropractic treatment
Apart from a chiropractic adjustment, a few of the standard therapies that a chiropractor near you may suggest include the following:
- Heat and cold: Chiropractors may also recommend ice and heat therapy to treat back pain. First, ice packs help numb the area for about 10 to 15 minutes. It is then switched to a heating pad, hot water bottle, or heat wrap to increase blood circulation and promote quick recovery.
- Massage: Soft tissue massage reduces back pain-linked inflammation and swelling, increases blood circulation, and enhances quick healing.
- Exercise: The exercise program may include stretches and exercises that strengthen the back muscles and further enhance the benefits of spinal adjustment.
- Electrical muscle stimulation: Electrodes transmit soft electric pulses to specific body areas to relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and prevent muscle spasms.
- Ultrasound: Ultrasound therapy employs sound waves to create deep heat therapy for micro-massaging the soft tissues and joints. It helps to reduce muscle spasms, stiffness, and pain, increase blood circulation, and ensure faster healing.
What are the risks/benefits of chiropractic treatment?
Chiropractic adjustments offer several benefits, including reducing migraines and neck-related headaches, improving posture, enhancing range of motion in the spine and other joints, alleviating symptoms from chronic conditions like osteoarthritis, and treating minor neck or spine injuries, such as whiplash.
Rare but serious complications after a chiropractic treatment can include herniated disks, pinched nerves (cauda equina syndrome), or stroke. To minimize risks, ensure that a licensed and professional chiropractor administers treatment.
What to expect during a chiropractic treatment?
Although chiropractic care may necessitate several sessions, most patients experience improvement after six to ten appointments. On your initial visit, your chiropractor will inquire about your medical history and perform a physical assessment, paying specific attention to your spine. Your chiropractor might suggest additional examinations or testing, such as X-rays.
The chiropractor expands a joint's normal range of motion by exerting a gradual, controlled force with their hands. During the adjustment, your joints may make popping or cracking noises as the chiropractor manipulates them.
Chiropractic care during pregnancy
Chiropractic care is a noninvasive approach focused on maintaining spinal health, correcting misaligned joints, and promoting wellness without using drugs or surgery. Over 1 million chiropractic adjustments are performed daily worldwide, and rare complications have been reported.
While chiropractic care is typically considered safe during pregnancy, medical approval is essential, especially if the patient has conditions such as vaginal bleeding, placenta previa, ectopic pregnancy, or moderate to severe toxemia. Some chiropractors focus on prenatal care, so it’s wise to confirm this specialization when seeking a doctor’s referral. They use specially designed adjusting tables to accommodate the growing belly, ensure techniques do not pressure the abdomen, and offer stretches to relieve tension.
Pregnancy brings hormonal and physical changes that can affect posture and comfort, sometimes leading to spinal misalignment. Common changes include an increased curve in the back due to a protruding abdomen and pelvic adaptations in preparation for labor. Regular chiropractic visits can help address all these changes. A collaborative study involving chiropractic and medical professionals showed that 75% of pregnant patients reported experiencing pain relief, which extends to both mother and baby by fixing balance and properly aligning the spine and pelvis.
Moreover, a misaligned pelvis can restrict space for a developing fetus, potentially leading to intrauterine constraint and congenital disabilities. It may also complicate delivery by hindering the baby’s ability to assume a favorable position for birth, typically rear-facing and head down. This misalignment can increase the likelihood of breech or posterior positions, resulting in longer and more complicated deliveries. Conversely, women who receive chiropractic care during pregnancy often experience improved labor outcomes, including a reduced labor duration.
Finding the best chiropractor near you in Scottsdale, AZ
Whether you want to consult a chiropractor regularly or for the first time, finding the right one might take much effort. With the help of Zocdoc, you can easily make appointments with the best chiropractors in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Enter your symptoms, specialty you are looking for, location, ideal appointment time, and insurance plan to start searching. Zocdoc will list specialists based on your search criteria. Use the insurance detector to identify the best fit if you are still unsure of your policy's coverage.
Additionally, you can filter the results by gender, affiliation, the languages they speak, and whether or not they treat children. Each physician has a detailed profile on Zocdoc that includes an overview, educational background, office location, visitation details, and, most importantly, verified patient reviews and ratings.
If you need help finding primary care doctors who accept your insurance, our online patient help center is here. On Zocdoc, you can link your medical, dental, and vision insurance plans to your account. Keep in mind that each appointment can only use one insurance plan.
You can include your secondary insurance details in the appointment notes for those with multiple insurance plans. Additionally, if your provider uses Zocdoc's Intake forms, you can easily enter your secondary insurance information.
Once you've chosen the finest chiropractor near you to meet your needs, you can plan an in-person or virtual appointment with them based on when they're available.
Booking appointments through Zocdoc is quick, safe, and free!
Chiropractic facts and statistics
According to a 2022 study by The Good Body, 11% to 40% of people in the U.S. suffer from chronic pain. Over 35 million Americans consult a chiropractor yearly, making about one million chiropractic adjustments daily. Chiropractic therapy for back pain is rated "very effective" by 77% of patients.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, approximately 820 chiropractors were employed in the Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale area of Arizona in 2023. The region has a location quotient of 1.31, which indicates the concentration of local employment in this occupation compared to the national average. A location quotient greater than one signifies that the employment share for chiropractors in the area is higher than the national average.
Sources
American Chiropractic Association | Hands Down Better
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Healthline
National Center for Biotechnology Information
The Good Body
Spine-health[1]
Spine-health[2]
WebMD
Cleveland Clinic
Mayo Clinic
