Is treatment by a chiropractor painful?
Most patients report that chiropractor adjustments feel good. Depending on the cause of your pain or injury, you may feel some muscle soreness after chiropractor treatment. This usually goes away within 24 hours.
I’ve heard that chiropractors aren’t real doctors.
Chiropractic doctors complete about the same number of college classroom hours as medical practitioners. Chiropractors complete at least two years of undergraduate education plus at least four years of specialized chiropractic training. Chiropractors must pass both national and state board exams before practicing. Like other types of doctors, chiropractors meet stringent licensing requirements and follow a strict code of ethics.
What is subluxation?
Subluxation, also known as vertebral subluxation complex, is what happens when spinal bones lose their normal motion or position due to stress, trauma or chemical imbalances.
How does a chiropractor treat subluxation?
Our chiropractors use a series of safe adjustments, stretches, exercises, heat or ice to restore normal spinal function. A chiropractic “adjustment” is a carefully directed and controlled pressure to restore spinal bones to a more normal position or motion. Our chiropractic doctors have completed years of training to become experts at using the right amount of force in the right direction. Each chiropractic adjustment is tailored to the patient’s age, size and unique spinal problem.
Does chiropractic treatment require a referral from an MD?
A referral is not needed to see a doctor of chiropractic (DC); however, your health plan may have specific referral requirements. You may want to contact your employer’s human resources department—or the insurance plan directly—to find out if there are any referral requirements. Most plans allow you to just call and schedule an appointment with a DC.
I’ve heard chiropractic treatment is dangerous.
There are no reported deaths due to treatment by a chiropractor. By contrast, an estimated 450,000 preventable medication-related adverse events occur in the U.S. every year.