Frequently Asked Questions About Chiropractic Care
Have you been to a doctor of chiropractic (DC)? If so, what was your experience like? Is it what you were expecting? What were the pros of seeing a chiropractic practitioner? What were the cons? The American Chiropractic Association (the ACA) defines chiropractic as “a health care profession that focuses on disorders of the musculoskeletal system and the nervous system, and the effects of these disorders on general health.
Chiropractic care is used most often to treat neuromusculoskeletal complaints, including but not limited to back pain, neck pain, pain in the joints of the arms or legs, and headaches”. Because the field of chiropractic is rather broad and can cover a wide range of health conditions, it's fairly common for questions and misconceptions to arise around the topic. In order to clear up some of these questions, we have gathered some frequently asked ones related to chiropractic care and then have proceeded to answer them as comprehensively as possible.
How do chiropractic adjustments generally work?
The chiropractic practitioner will most likely use his or her hands in order to manipulate the body’s joints, and most specifically the spine, in order to improve joint function. This kind of spinal manipulation can potentially help to reduce joint inflammation and can minimize or mitigate the patient’s pain. Chiropractic treatments are highly controlled and specialized, and should rarely, if ever, cause discomfort or pain during the procedure. After treatment, it's fairly normal to experience some soreness, as if you had an intense workout.
What type of education and training do doctors of chiropractic generally have?
Doctors of chiropractic care are trained and educated as primary care specialists, with an emphasis placed on the diagnosis and treatment of issues relating to the musculoskeletal system (the muscles, ligaments and joints of the spine and extremities), as well as the nerves that are connected to them. The ACA’s website says of a DC’s education, “the typical applicant for chiropractic college has already acquired nearly four years of pre-medical undergraduate college education, including courses in biology, inorganic and organic chemistry, physics, psychology and related lab work. Once accepted into an accredited chiropractic college, the requirements become even more demanding — four to five academic years of professional study are the standard. Doctors of chiropractic are educated in orthopedics, neurology, physiology, human anatomy, clinical diagnosis including laboratory procedures, diagnostic imaging, exercise, nutrition rehabilitation and more”. Suffice to say, a chiropractic practitioner's education and training is extensive and, by the time they start to practice, they have a very specialized skill set within their field.
If you are interested in chiropractic care for yourself or for your family, consider stopping into The Joint for a consultation. With affordable prices, a knowledgeable staff, and convenient walk-in hours, they can assist you with all of your chiropractic needs!
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