Chiropractic
Chiropractic is a healthcare profession that evaluates a person's health based on examining the alignment of the spine, the condition of the muscular system as well as the functionality of the neurological system.
Other tools that can be utilized by chiropractors are very similar to those used by conventional medical doctors such as clinical examination (an office visit), laboratory testing (blood work), and diagnostic imaging (x-rays or MRI's). Chiropractic is frequently used to treat back pain, neck pain, pain or numbness of the arms or legs, and headaches. Chiropractors are licensed in all 50 states and in some states serve as a primary care family physician. Doctors of Chiropractic, often referred to as chiropractors or chiropractic physicians, practice a drug-free, hands-on approach to healthcare. Once it has been determined whether or not chiropractic treatment is warranted, the chiropractor will develop a treatment plan or refer the patient to the appropriate health care provider or co-manage the patient's care as part of an integrative health care plan with other providers. Most Chiropractors use a procedure called a "manipulation" or "adjustment" when treating their patients. This is a non-invasive procedure that is used to treat the parts of the spine that have been found on the chiropractic exam to be of concern. It is possible for some patients to become sore after this procedure just as some people get sore after a good workout or exercise, however, as with exercise soreness, the discomfort usually disappears in about 12 to 48 hours and the patient most often will feel better than when they first started.
Chiropractors have a very broad education encompassing many of the same basic medical courses as a medical doctor (MD), or an osteopathic physician (DO), sometimes even having more hours on some subjects. The main difference is that chiropractors spend many hours studying the effects of nutrition and lifestyle on a person's state of overall health and conventional doctors spend many hours studying pharmaceuticals (medicines) for specific ailments. Many chiropractors utilize their extensive knowledge to include therapeutic and rehabilitative exercises, nutrition, and lifestyle changes into their treatment plans.