What Is Chiropractic?

Doctors of Chiropractic are often referred to as chiropractors or chiropractic physicians.  They practice a drug-free, hands-on approach to health care that includes patient examination, diagnosis and treatment. Chiropractors have broad diagnostic skills and are also trained to recommend therapeutic and rehabilitative exercises, as well as to provide nutritional, dietary and lifestyle counseling.

The most common therapy procedure performed by doctors of chiropractic is known as "spinal manipulation," also referred to as a "chiropractic adjustment."   The purpose of an adjustment is to restore joint mobility by manually applying a controlled force into joints that have become hypomobile, or restricted in their movement, as a result of trauma, overuse, postural imbalances or other forms of tissue injury. Tissue injury can be caused by a single traumatic event, such as improper lifting of a heavy object, or through repetitive stresses, such as sitting in an awkward position with poor spinal posture for an extended period of time. In either case, injured tissues undergo physical and chemical changes that can cause inflammation, pain, and decreased function for the patient. Manipulation of the affected joint and tissues restores mobility, thereby alleviating pain, inflammation and muscle tightness, allowing the tissues to heal.

Chiropractic adjustment rarely causes discomfort. However, patients may sometimes experience mild soreness or aching following treatment, similar to that which is present with some forms of exercise.  In these rare instances, the patient is advised to apply ice to the sore area, and the symptoms usually resolve within 12 to 48 hours.

In many cases, such as lower back and neck pain, chiropractic care may be the primary method of treatment. When other medical conditions exist, chiropractic care may complement or support medical treatment by relieving the musculoskeletal aspects associated with the condition. 

Doctors of chiropractic assess patients through clinical examination, laboratory testing, diagnostic imaging and other diagnostic interventions to determine whether or not chiropractic treatment is appropriate for each patient.  Chiropractors will readily refer patients to the appropriate health care provider when chiropractic care is not suitable for the patient's condition, or the condition warrants co-management in conjunction with other members of the health care team.

Source: American Chiropractic Association

For more from the ACA, go to www.acatoday.org