Chances are many people consult a doctor when they experience neck or back pain for the first time. People suffering from chronic neck or back pain also prefer seeing a doctor.
Thinking about seeing a chiropractor to treat pain issues seems to be the last thing many people do. Yet, why go see a chiropractor and not a doctor for all your body aches and injuries?
Learning more about what chiropractors do can help you decide if they are what you need.
Why go see a chiropractor?
Chiropractors do not claim to be medical doctors. However, their education, training, experience, and license allow them to treat and bones and muscles with painful conditions.
The treatment provided by chiropractors is focused on how your overall health is affected by your joints, bones, and muscles. Since they are not medical doctors, they cannot perform surgery nor prescribe medications.
What chiropractors can do best is to use their hands to apply controlled force on bones, joints, and muscles to relieve pain and restore mobility.
They require a physical exam at your first visit
On the first visit, a chiropractor will do a physical exam after he/she has asked about your problem. An X-ray or laboratory test may be ordered or recommend a medical doctor if chiropractic treatment is not for you.
The chiropractor may do spinal manipulation therapy on your first visit if there’s a need for it. The chiropractic treatments you need are determined by your condition. Ask your chiropractor if you need a follow-up visit.
They are covered by many private insurance companies
Checking with your insurance company is best before you set an appointment with a chiropractor. Check if a chiropractor visit is covered and how many visits are allowed as well. Chiropractic care is also covered by some Medicaid plans, worker’s compensation, and Medicare.
You can ask a chiropractor about his/her charges per visit if you don’t have any insurance coverage. Ask also for additional charges for future treatment services.
They have extensive training, experience, and education
The “DC” right after a chiropractor’s name signifies that he/she is a doctor of chiropractic. Just like doctors, chiropractors have to study premedical subjects in a college or university. They have to attend 4 to 5 years of chiropractic studies from an accredited school and pass a national exam for them to become licensed to practice in their chosen state.
The extensive education of chiropractors includes the study of bone disorders, manipulations, nutrition, x-rays, anatomy, exercise therapy, and nervous system disorders.
They are licensed to treat joints, muscles, and tendons
People having problems with joints, tendons (muscle attachments), and muscles are best treated by chiropractors. A wide variety of joint and muscle disorders are treated by chiropractors other than common neck or back pain.
Referred pain or pain caused by another area of the body is also a condition treated by chiropractors. People suffering from leg or arm joint problems, neck pain, whiplash injuries, back pain, and headaches gain respite and relief from chiropractic treatment.
Chiropractors have become a crucial part of the health system today. Chiropractic treatment has become one of the effective and natural alternatives in resolving all sorts of body aches and pain. The non-invasive chiropractic treatment is seen as a better solution than medication and surgery. Feel at home in our chiropractic clinic. Visit us today!