Who is a chiropractor?
Chiropractic is a medical field that looks after a patient's neuromusculoskeletal system (bones, nerves, muscles, tendons, and ligaments). Chiropractors use spinal adjustments to treat back and neck pain and help maintain good alignment and posture.
Chiropractic care focuses on the body's healing ability and often involves specific diet and exercise routines.
Chiropractors believe that aligning the spine and realigning joints can also enhance the functioning of other systems throughout the body.
Origins and history of chiropractic
The term 'chiropractic' originated from the Greek words cheir (meaning "hand") and praktos (meaning "done"), reflecting its foundation in manual therapy. While hands-on healing practices date back to ancient civilizations, the formal chiropractic profession emerged in the late 19th century in the United States.
- Foundations and early development: In 1895, Daniel David Palmer performed the first documented chiropractic adjustment and later founded the Palmer School of Chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa, in 1897. Palmer and his successors refined spinal manipulation techniques, emphasizing their ability to alleviate pain and enhance function without drugs or surgery. This holistic approach remains central to chiropractic care, though modern practitioners now include different therapies tailored to individual needs.
- Professional growth and regulation: The early 20th century saw chiropractors organizing professional societies to standardize education and advance research. By 1974, the Council on Chiropractic Education (CCE) gained federal recognition as the accrediting body for chiropractic colleges, which now number nearly 20 in the U.S. Kansas became the first state to license chiropractors in 1913; today, all 50 states, U.S. territories, and over 40 countries regulate the profession.
- Integration into healthcare systems: Chiropractic care gained federal recognition in 1972 with Medicare coverage for spinal manipulation, followed by inclusion in the Federal Employee Health Benefits Program in 1974. Most state workers' compensation programs also cover chiropractic services. Research funding expanded after 1996, when the National Institutes of Health began supporting chiropractic studies, bolstering its evidence-based credibility.
- Military and veterans care: Recognizing the value of nondrug pain management, Congress integrated chiropractic into the U.S. Department of Defense (1993) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (1999). Over 60 military bases and 70 VA medical facilities offer chiropractic services today. In 2014, the VA launched the first chiropractic residency program, training DCs in hospital-based, interdisciplinary care.
- Modern relevance and growth: With the opioid crisis prompting a shift toward nonpharmacological pain management, guidelines like the American College of Physicians' 2017 recommendations now prioritize spinal manipulation for low back pain. Thousands of licensed U.S. chiropractors practice in diverse settings, serving millions of patients annually. As the profession evolves, its integration into mainstream healthcare continues to expand, affirming its role in safe, effective patient care.
What are the education, training, and specializations of a chiropractor?
Chiropractors begin their education with a 3-year undergraduate degree in science-related subjects. Then, they pass the required exams to enroll in an accredited chiropractic college, where they study for four years to earn a doctoral degree in chiropractic. They learn in-depth about anatomy, physiology, pathology, and other sciences during their education.
Besides that, they also complete a year-long clinical internship to gain practical experience.
Lastly, they pass the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners exam to get a license to practice in their state. They also participate in continuing education and earn the required credits to maintain their license.
Some chiropractors take up postgraduate programs to specialize further in a specific field. Here are some of the focus areas they choose:
- Acupuncture
- Forensics
- Internal medicine
- Neurology
- Neuromusculoskeletal medicine
- Nutrition
- Occupational health
- Pediatrics
- Radiology
- Rehabilitation
- Sports
What does a chiropractic adjustment treat?
You can look for the best chiropractor near you for various reasons. Some may wish to visit one for specific conditions, while others can do so for general health maintenance and to prevent future issues. A chiropractor ensures your joints and surrounding muscles are working correctly. You may choose to undergo a chiropractic adjustment if you are facing the following:
- Regular headaches: When an individual experiences headaches for 15 or more days in a month, eight or more of which are headaches with migraine symptoms lasting three months or longer, one is said to have chronic migraines. It begins as infrequent headache episodes that gradually develop into a frequent headache pattern.
- Arthritis: This is a disease affecting the joints. It usually involves inflammation or degeneration of joints.
- Joint pain and dysfunction: Joint problems usually occur in the hips, knees, spine, hands, or feet. The pain may persist for long periods or come and go, leading to stiffness or limited range of motion. Some patients complain of a throbbing, burning, or itching sensation.
- Healing after an accident or whiplash: Whiplash occurs when the neck (cervical spine) and upper spine get dislocated and injured due to rapid changes in motion. It causes a form of neck sprain. Pain in the neck or around the spine (under the head) caused by other reasons may benefit from chiropractic care.
- Lower back pain: It can result from back muscle or tendon injuries. Other conditions or illnesses may also cause such pain, varying from mild to severe.
- Muscle stiffness and soreness: Muscle aches and pains are signs of injury, infection, illness, or other health problems. You may experience deep, steady pains or random sharp pains.
- Sciatica: Sciatica is a sharp, shocking pain induced by damage/ irritation to the sciatic nerve, originating in the buttocks. The sciatic nerve is the body's longest plus thickest nerve, about a finger's width.
What happens before a chiropractic adjustment?
On your first consultation, your chiropractor will thoroughly review your health history and perform a complete physical examination. They may order imaging tests to learn more about your musculoskeletal system if needed. These tests include:
- Computed tomography (C.T.) scan
- X-ray
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan
After learning more about your symptoms and possible causes of discomfort, your chiropractor will create a unique treatment plan based on your test results.
Before your appointment, be prepared with your entire medical and surgical history. Carry your I.D. cards and other paperwork with you. A typical chiropractic adjustment requires lying on a table with your face up, down, or on your side. Hence, it will be helpful to dress in loose-fitting, comfortable clothing. Also, let your chiropractor know of any prosthetic devices before your session.
What are the risks of chiropractic adjustments?
You may experience mild headaches or feel tired or sore right after a chiropractic adjustment. These side effects are temporary. In rare cases, chiropractic care can cause serious complications such as:
- Compression of nerves in the lower spine area (cauda equina syndrome)
- Herniated disks
- Stroke
If an untrained and unlicensed person makes the adjustments, there is a high risk of side effects and complications. Hence, only licensed professional chiropractors should perform spinal manipulations.
What are some other chiropractic interventions?
Besides chiropractic adjustments, chiropractors include many other treatment modalities in the rehabilitation plan to relieve pain, improve physical function, prevent future problems, and promote a better quality of life. Some of them include:
- Exercise and stretches: The chiropractor will teach you strengthening exercises and stretches to improve joint mobility, muscle strength, balance, range of motion, and flexibility. After they feel you can do them without supervision, they will ask you to continue them at home.
- Spinal traction: They may use traction devices to lengthen your spine and help with pain relief.
- Soft tissue mobilization therapy: If you have sustained soft tissue injuries such as strains/sprains, the provider may use this effective manual therapy technique that involves deep pressure and stretching the muscles, tendons, and ligaments to promote healing.
- Ice and heat therapy: They may suggest a combination of ice and heat application to relieve pain, control swelling, improve circulation, and relax muscle tension.
- Lifestyle and diet modifications: Preventing medical problems is mainly about making better health choices. Your chiropractor will prepare a diet plan based on your unique situation. They will also suggest relaxation techniques, correct posture during various activities, and other lifestyle changes to help you maintain good health.
Is seeing a chiropractor safe and helpful during pregnancy?
Chiropractic care can alleviate spinal nerve stress and promote overall health. Complications are rare in this type of therapy. However, it's important to note that while chiropractic care is typically safe during pregnancy, there are certain situations in which doctors do not recommend it. These situations include ectopic pregnancy, vaginal bleeding, placenta previa or abruption, and moderate to severe toxemia. Before seeking chiropractic care during pregnancy, obtaining approval from a qualified doctor is essential. Additionally, confirming that the chiropractor you plan to visit has experience providing care during pregnancy or getting a referral from your doctor is advisable.
Chiropractors use adjusting tables and safe techniques to accommodate pregnant women's growing bellies without putting pressure on the abdomen. They can also demonstrate effective stretches to relieve tension and discomfort. Pregnancy can cause hormonal and physical changes that impact posture and comfort. These changes can result in misaligned spines or joints, especially as the baby grows and exerts pressure on the back and pelvic region. Routine visits to a qualified chiropractor can help address these issues and ensure balance and alignment in the pelvis and spine.
Visiting a chiropractor during pregnancy has several potential benefits, including supporting a healthy pregnancy, managing nausea, reducing labor time, relieving joint, back, and neck pain, and potentially preventing a cesarean delivery.
How do you find the best chiropractor near you in Studio City, California?
Chronic or acute pain can significantly affect one's ability to carry out everyday activities, thus impacting the quality of life. Therefore, timely care becomes imperative. Finding a good chiropractor when required can be difficult, but fret not; Zocdoc is here to rescue you!
Sign up for the free service at Zocdoc and log in to get started. Enter your location or symptoms. Zocdoc will produce a list of the best chiropractors in your area in minutes. You can narrow the chiropractor's list by selecting specific parameters such as their gender, languages they speak, and hospital affiliations. You can use our insurance finder to choose a chiropractor who is in your network and accepts your plan.
If you have more than one insurance plan, you can include medical, dental, and vision insurance plans in your Zocdoc account. However, you can only search for and schedule appointments with one insurance plan at a time. If you possess multiple insurance plans, you can specify your secondary carrier and plan for the provider in the notes section during the final step of the booking process. Moreover, if your provider uses Zocdoc's Intake forms, you may add secondary insurance while filling out your forms online. For further insurance-related FAQs, refer to Zocdoc's Patient Help Center.
Click the profile to learn more about the chiropractor's qualifications, training, specialties, accreditations, honors, and board certifications. You can also review previous patient ratings and verified reviews to determine the most suitable chiropractor.
You can use Zocdoc to schedule a video consultation with the best chiropractor near you before an in-person appointment. Our easy-to-use online appointment scheduling tool lets you choose a time that matches the chiropractor's schedule. Zocdoc makes it easy to find a chiropractor who is open on weekends and before or after regular business hours. Most importantly, booking with Zocdoc is easy, free, and secure.
Chiropractic statistics in California, U.S.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of May 2023, there were around 41,480 chiropractors in the United States. At the same time, nearly 3,410 chiropractic practitioners were active in California. The state had the second-highest number of chiropractors nationally. Of every 1,000 people employed in California, 0.19 were chiropractors.
Reports from America's Health Rankings indicate that in 2023, around 21.0% of adults in California had arthritis. About 6.9% of all Californians between 18 and 44 were arthritic. In the state, nearly 23.9% of females and 18.1% of males were experiencing arthritis.
Sources
WebMD
Cleveland Clinic
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
America's Health Rankings
Verywell Health
HealthCentral
Healthline
American Chiropractic Association
