Chiropractors are health professionals who have obtained a doctorate degree in chiropractic. Chiropractic is an alternative medicinal practice, which is focused on the diagnosis and treatment of physical disorders of the skeletal system, most notably the back. Many chiropractors are considered as masters of chiropractic, having a number of credentials from professional societies and hospitals.
Chiropractors perform spinal adjustments or manipulation for the purpose of restoring motion and alignment of the joint. Some of the disorders that chiropractors are capable of correcting include subluxations, muscle tension, bone malformation, and neuromuscular disorder. They may work with spinal bones, joints, ligaments, and muscles to promote normal function of the body’s musculoskeletal systems. Some chiropractors may work on eye and ear problems, and may perform musculoskeletal adjustments to various joints. They can also perform therapeutic adjustments to reduce pain and promote healing of injuries. Most of them use spinal adjustments to treat low back pain, neck pain, head pain, shoulder pain, and sciatica.
Chiropractors examine patients to determine the cause of their musculoskeletal disorders and then suggest spinal adjustments to restore the proper spinal alignment and functionality of the spine and surrounding structures. Spinal adjustment enables chiropractors to realign the joints and ligaments that are out of position, allowing the injured area to heal naturally. The chiropractor will first make a diagnosis of the patient and then apply appropriate therapy. After realigning the spine and surrounding tissues, chiropractors may perform other treatments, such as massage therapy and trigger point injections.
In order to become a chiropractor, you need to enroll in and complete a chiropractic program at a recognized chiropractic college or university. A chiropractic program includes both classroom and clinical instruction. Your chiropractic program will provide you with an overall education in the field of chiropractic science, anatomy and physiology, medical history and basic chemistry, which are beneficial to the chiropractor who treats patients in a clinical setting. Several years of school is required for chiropractic college graduates. Chiropractors may also participate in on-the-job apprenticeships under the supervision of licensed chiropractors. This further enhances the chiropractors’ credentials.
After completing your chiropractic program, you will be able to apply for a license after attending the first appointment for chiropractic services. To qualify, chiropractors must be physically fit with strong spinal muscles. During your first appointment, a chiropractor will teach you how to properly adjust the spine with specific techniques such as spinal manipulation, ultrasound, electric stimulation, and manual adjustments. These techniques allow chiropractors to treat patients who have neuromusculoskeletal disorders, including but not limited to pain, inflammation, dysfunction, spondylosis, sports injuries, and arthritis.
The goal of chiropractic care is to help you overcome the pain and reduce discomfort so that you can improve your quality of life. chiropractors commonly treat mild to moderate neck and back pain as well as headaches and migraines, and they often treat soft tissue and skeletal disorders such as degeneration, stress fracture, and carpal tunnel syndrome. If you have recently suffered an injury, chiropractors can also help you recover faster. Chiropractors perform spinal manipulation to realign the spinal joints. When the spinal joints are not aligned properly, it can cause a variety of health problems, such as pain, weakness, disrupted sleep, headaches, irritability, and more. Manipulation helps to restore proper joint movement.
Before you start any treatment, you will need to have a thorough physical exam to determine whether you have any underlying disorders. Some health problems, such as low back pain, may not be related to the spine at all. Your chiropractor can run a full physical exam on you before he or she recommends treatments. During the physical exam, your chiropractor will evaluate your posture, muscle tone, and reflexes. There may also be laboratory tests required to verify your diagnosis.
Once your chiropractor has determined that you do have a problem, he or she will recommend treatments based on what he or she has found. Many chiropractors believe that spinal adjustments, combined with adjustments to the soft tissues and joints, can realign the spine and relieve pain and discomfort. A chiropractor may suggest physical therapy, massage, exercises, or dietary changes to treat the underlying cause of the pain. Proper treatment by a chiropractor may require regular visits for several months or even years.
