Who is a chiropractor?
Pain can be unbearable, affecting daily functioning. It is usually a signal that something may be wrong. While primary care doctors provide various services, they do not specialize in dealing with lower back pain or other symptoms.
A chiropractor is a specialist who treats conditions that affect the nervous and musculoskeletal systems. They look after your muscle, bone, and joint pain or dysfunction and treat the discomfort through manual adjustment or manipulation of the spine. Common reasons to visit a chiropractor are for lower back pain, muscle pain, or neck pain; lesser known is that they can also treat musculoskeletal pain in your head and jaws, shoulders, elbows and wrists, and knees and ankles.
Chiropractors in the United States earn a Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C) degree once they complete four years at an accredited chiropractic school. Then, they must clear the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners (NBCE) examination to obtain a license to practice. Some states also need background checks and additional reviews for chiropractors. They must also continue their education as a condition of ongoing licensing.
What does a chiropractor do?
Chiropractors rely on the body's healing ability and do not prescribe pain medication. They conduct examinations to observe muscle reflexes and the spine's position. They may also perform other tests to diagnose conditions and formulate a treatment plan.
Chiropractors provide treatment for conditions such as:
- Lower back pain or leg pain
- Neck pain
- Headaches
- Injuries due to car accidents
- Injuries due to sports
Chiropractors may also deal with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) problems, scoliosis, disc pain, hip bursitis, degenerative disc disease, herniated disc, and migraine. They also treat arthritic joint pain by minimizing muscle spasms and increasing the extent of motion. Many chiropractors work alongside spine specialists in multi-specialty spine clinics.
The primary therapy used by a chiropractor involves spinal manipulation. Through this therapy, they apply force to a joint in the spine using hands or instruments, which moves the joint in a specific direction for better alignment. Other treatments employed by chiropractors include:
- Adjustments
- Diet and weight loss counseling
- Exercises and stretches
- Hot and cold treatment
- Joint bracing
- Massage therapy
- Relaxation
- Stimulation
- Shoe inserts
- Soft-tissue therapy
A common reason to seek chiropractic intervention is to avoid pain medication. However, some may also visit a chiropractor to prevent disease, strengthen immunity, and improve overall well-being. A chiropractic adjustment is a highly efficient treatment for adults and children. Pain relief may take about six to ten visits.
It is best to get a screening before a chiropractic adjustment. Your primary healthcare provider can tell you if you are a good candidate for chiropractic care. If you don't qualify, your doctor will recommend alternate treatments.
What can you expect on your visit?
On the first visit, your chiropractor will start with an evaluation of your medical history and a physical exam. They will ask about your migraine history, sleeping patterns, diet, and physical activity. A chiropractor may prescribe diagnostic tests such as X-rays, CT scans, or MRI scans.
As part of the physical exam, your chiropractor will examine your posture, muscle strength, arm and leg mobility, and misalignment. After understanding your concern and its cause, the specialist will develop an individualized treatment plan.
Chiropractors undergo training in more than 150 different techniques. Generally, they will ask you to lie face-down on a specially padded table. The doctor may position you in other ways to access various areas of the body. With controlled force, you will hear popping or cracking as the chiropractor realigns your joints and spine. They may also use an activator for gentle manipulation.
What questions should you ask a chiropractor?
While meeting a chiropractor near you may seem daunting for the first time, rest assured that it is the right step forward in achieving a pain-free, independent, and good quality of life. Since you will be having multiple sessions with the chiropractor until you completely heal, it is essential to ensure that you are entirely comfortable with them and the treatment method. For that purpose, ask the practitioner various questions. Here are some ideas for you:
Questions about the chiropractor's background
- Can you share details about your education and training?
- Are you a licensed practitioner?
- Are you board-certified?
- How many years of professional experience do you have?
- Have you treated patients with a similar condition as mine before?
Questions about the diagnosis and treatment plan
- What chiropractic techniques will you use for my treatment?
- What are the benefits, risks, and side effects of chiropractic care?
- How long will each chiropractic session be?
- How many chiropractic sessions will I need to feel better?
- Do I need to make lifestyle and diet changes to help with recovery?
- Will I need other treatments besides chiropractic care?
- How should I prepare for the chiropractic sessions?
Questions about chiropractic adjustments
- Why do we hear a popping sound during chiropractic adjustments?
- Are chiropractic adjustments painful?
- How can I expect to feel after an adjustment?
What are the benefits of chiropractic care?
- Neck pain relief: Neck pain usually affects those who spend prolonged hours hunched over screens or have poor posture. Chiropractic care can alleviate this discomfort by realigning the spine and easing tension in neck muscles. Studies have indicated that spinal manipulation is more effective than medication for non-specific neck pain.
- Reduces opioid dependence: Chiropractic care is known as a safer alternative for managing chronic pain compared to opioid pain relievers. Research indicates that individuals who visit chiropractors are less likely to rely on opioid prescriptions in comparison to those who solely visit the doctor.
- Eases back pain: Chiropractic treatment presents a non-invasive approach to both short-term and chronic back pain. Recommended by the American College of Physicians, it involves spinal manipulation, exercises, and other holistic methods, resulting in significant improvements in back pain and function within a relatively short period.
- Probable lessening of osteoarthritis symptoms: While more research is needed, chiropractic adjustments have shown promise in slowing down the progression of osteoarthritis. This treatment offers a possible avenue for managing this painful condition by aligning joints and reducing bone-on-bone friction.
- Relief from headaches: Tension in the head and neck region and poor posture can result in chronic headaches. Through spinal manipulation in the cervical and upper thoracic areas, chiropractic care has proven effective in alleviating such headaches, even in the long term. It consequently enhances the quality of life for those suffering from such debilitating symptoms by a significant measure.
- Cost-effective chronic back pain treatment: Chiropractic care can be an affordable alternative to conventional chronic low back pain treatments. Research shows it can reduce overall costs and the duration of treatment.
- Noticeable improvement in scoliosis: For people with scoliosis, chiropractic care helps improve Cobb angle. Cobb angle determines the extent of side-to-side deformity present in the spine. According to a 2016 study, the Cobb angle improved in five kids after two months of chiropractic treatment.
- Posture correction: Chiropractic care can contribute to better posture, especially for those whose poor posture results from prolonged sitting. Case studies have shown that regular treatment can significantly improve posture and relieve pain, such as headaches and neck discomfort.
- Enhancement in athletic performance: Athletes may benefit from chiropractic adjustments, which can enhance joint mobility, reduce pain, and relieve tissue restrictions. While the effect on sports performance remains a topic of ongoing research, chiropractic care is valuable in managing pain and injuries for athletes.
Where can you find the best chiropractor near you in Sugar Land, Texas?
Are you having pain in your lower back? Did your healthcare provider ask you to visit a chiropractor? If yes, this is the best time to see the best chiropractor near you. Your spine is a critical part of your body and requires professional care in case of acute or chronic pain. With the help of Zocdoc, you can find trusted chiropractors in Sugar Land, Texas, in just a few minutes.
Zocdoc allows you to view profiles of specialists in your city and book an appointment on the available dates. Visit the website www.zocdoc.com and enter the details required. Once you enter your symptoms and location as "Sugar Land, Texas," you can access the comprehensive list of chiropractors. Zocdoc also allows you to choose a preferred appointment date and include your healthcare insurance details in the search query. These filters help Zocdoc find available in-network specialists who meet your preferences.
If you are wondering, "What if I do not have insurance coverage?" or "What if I do not want to share my insurance details with my provider?", we have a solution for that as well. In the search bar, you can specify that you will be paying out-of-pocket during your appointment. Accordingly, you will receive a list of providers who accept patients without asking for insurance information. Our patient help center page has more insurance-related FAQs, so if you have any more queries, feel free to check them out.
On the website, you can use various filters to narrow your search results by appointment time, preferred distance, and other options. Each chiropractor has a unique profile, including their educational background, training and certifications, hospital affiliations, areas of expertise, and other relevant details. Zocdoc also provides user-verified reviews and ratings. Once you have selected the best chiropractor near you, you can book an appointment at no extra cost.
All bookings on Zocdoc are simple, secure, and 100% free.
Statistics on conditions treated by chiropractors in Texas
Texas Health and Human Services data shows approximately 5,807 chiropractors in the state. This figure implies that as of September 2020, the ratio of chiropractors to 100,000 residents in Texas was 19.6.
Chiropractic care is an efficient treatment option for different forms of arthritis. According to the United Health Foundation, about 21.3% of adults had some form of arthritis in 2021. Arthritis is more common in women than men and is also more common among adults over 65. Moreover, about 1 in 4 adults with arthritis have symptoms such as joint pain, which limits their daily activities.
In the United States, research by the National Library of Medicine shows that about 1.3 million people have rheumatoid arthritis. Fibromyalgia is said to affect about 4 million adults in the United States. Though the cause remains unknown, a chiropractor can help with pain management and relief.
Sources
Cleveland Clinic
Spine Health
WebMD
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Migraine.com
National Library of Medicine
Texas Health and Human Services
United Health Foundation
Healthline
Sunrise Chiropractic
Wooster Community Hospital
Northeast Spine and Sports Medicine
