In the diverse world of alternative healthcare rests the practice of chiropractic medicine, a healthcare discipline born over 100 years ago, before penicillin and x-rays were ever known. Many early theories of chiropractic practice have been set aside in the same manner early medicine has been reformed, with research and increasing clinical knowledge. However, some chiropractors hold to the early theories with religious zeal. In this article we review some of the previously held ideas that should no longer be a part of chiropractic practice.

1. Is chiropractic care for everybody?    [back to the top]

Because you have a spine it does not mean it needs constant attention. Accepted chiropractic philosophy clearly states that the body has the ability to heal itself. Does that exclude the spine? Certainly not. People will benefit greatly from chiropractic care when necessary, such as in the treatment of back pain, neck pain and headaches. Some people with chronic pain, spine curvatures or arthritis will need regular care. However, the goal of the chiropractic physician should be to assist the patient in becoming independent from the need for constant attention through the use of proper spinal exercises.

2. Do I need x-rays before being treated?    [back to the top]

Current research supports x-raying the spine for pathology review for all patients over the age of 50, patients exposed to trauma, and for patients whom have special risk factors found on examination or during the history. Patients with common low back pain usually deserve a trial of treatments to see if they will respond prior to being x-rayed.

3. Will you treat me on my first visit?    [back to the top]

Unless your condition is very complicated requiring additional information prior to the initiation of care, you should be able to receive a treatment on your first visit.

4. Can chiropractic fix all ailments?    [back to the top]

Chiropractic and medical treatments are designed to address specific conditions. No single treatment or therapy addresses all conditions and every treatment approach has it’s own limitations. Vigilant chiropractic physicians recognize these limitations and work closely with their patients to ensure full access to treatments required to resolve these complaints. This may include combining medical and chiropractic therapies to address the patient’s concern. Also, modern chiropractors have a wide variety of treatments available that are specifically designed to treat different conditions. It is important to find the right approach for your problem.

5. Will I still need the same medicine if I am being treated by a chiropractor?    
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Although some patient’s needs for medication may change following chiropractic treatment, only your medical doctor should be tinkering with your medication dosage. We communicate with primary medical doctors about the patients we care for to ensure patients are receiving the care they need.

6. Can chiropractic help me if I have a disc problem?    [back to the top]

Research has proven chiropractic care is highly effective in the treatment of spine disc and related problems. In fact several local spine surgeons regularly send us patients with bad discs for a trial of chiropractic treatment prior to contemplating surgery.

7. Do chiropractors refer to medical doctors?    [back to the top]

Prudent chiropractors readily refer to medical doctors for the benefit of their patients. Patients truly win when their health professionals are working together.

8. Do chiropractors treat only subluxations without diagnosing other conditions?
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A chiropractor that makes this claim is not working in the best interest of the patient. Prudent chiropractors will look at the patient as a whole person and treat them accordingly.

9. Are there any negative effects to chiropractic care?    [back to the top]

There are negative side effects to all medical procedures and that includes the procedures commonly found in a chiropractic physician’s office, such as electric stimulation, heat packs, and ultrasound machines. There is also an extremely small risk to spinal manipulation. In looking at the risk data it is found that 1 in 20,000 patients will have a complication while taking Advil while patients in a chiropractic office experience side effects only once in 500,000 occurrences. Chiropractic techniques and procedures, are very safe, are made even safer when provided by chiropractic physicians who are highly trained in providing this form of care.

10. Is one chiropractic technique better than the other?    [back to the top]

There are about 60 different named techniques in chiropractic and they fall into two basic categories; manual techniques and low force techniques. These different techniques are designed to address specific conditions. The prudent chiropractor is a master of an array of techniques that allow a prime opportunity for a wide group of patients to recover.

Most chiropractors are highly trained professionals working in the best interest of the patients. Some, however, are not. Patients seeking care for headache, neck pain, or back pain should be aware of this fact and seek the most competent professional available.

Chiropractic care has helped millions recover from acute and chronic pain syndromes. Patients suffering from these conditions should call for a consultation with a chiropractor to discover what their possibilities are for recovery.