Chiropractors treat patients by manual adjustment of the spine and other joints. Chiropractors can also treat neuromuscular disorders. Although chiropractic treatment is not widely available, the practice of spinal manipulation of other parts of the body is beneficial to many people. However, some patients are skeptical of chiropractic care and call chiropractors quacks. An autopsy report revealed that a young playboy model died after a chiropractic adjustment, and her family is suing the chiropractic office for a seven-figure settlement.
A chiropractor’s education includes:
- Four years of graduate school education.
- Providing at least 4,200 hours of classroom time.
- Laboratory time.
- Clinical internship.
Chiropractic is regulated by each state and the District of Columbia. In the United States, a Doctor of Chiropractic degree from an accredited college or university is required. To become licensed a chiropractic practitioner must first pass a state-approved licensing examination administered by the National Board of Certification in Chiropractic. Once approved, chiropractors must earn annual continuing education credits through a state-approved continuing education program.
Chiropractors perform spinal manipulation to treat conditions related to the structure and function of the body. They do not use drugs or surgery but use manual adjustments to promote healing. A licensed chiropractor must display their current registration certificate. Some chiropractors also have licenses from other states and membership certificates from chiropractic organizations. As a patient, it is essential to ask about the accessibility of the service location before making an appointment.
A Chiropractor’s patient file contains information about the patient’s health history, physical exam data, x-ray films, and laboratory findings. The records of clients are kept confidential unless the client permits their release. A chiropractor may charge a fee to provide copies of patient files. In some states, a chiropractic practice must provide continuing education credits annually. This is necessary to maintain licenses in various fields.
The field of chiropractic care has gained wide acceptance in recent decades and is now the most widely practiced medical profession. A chiropractor’s primary focus is on the health of the spine and joints and their connections to the nervous system. While many types of medical care may not be advisable, specific methods and lifestyle modifications will help improve the quality of life. Most people have some back pain or injury, and a chiropractor can help them get relief from this pain.
A chiropractor will examine your spine and muscle reflexes and may prescribe drugs or surgery, depending on the severity of the condition. Because a chiropractor does not treat a patient’s pain, they will not prescribe pain medications and instead rely on the body’s natural ability to heal itself. A chiropractor will usually use a combination of soft-tissue therapies, ultrasound, and braces to treat a patient’s condition.
Check also Lehigh Valley Acupuncture for more information.