5 Common Questions About Chiropractic Care
by Dr. Lynna Lies, DC
The word chiropractic comes from Greek words that mean done by hand. Chiropractors use hands-on, nonsurgical, drug-free interventions to help their patients achieve their goals to live healthy, pain-free lives. If you have ever experienced joint, spinal or muscle pain, you understand how, at times, it is all-consuming and that you would try anything for relief.
It’s times like these many people wonder what a chiropractor does and if chiropractic can help them. Here are five common questions people have about chiropractic care and how it can support your health.
Can you go to the chiropractor for no reason?
Absolutely – you don’t have to wait until you are in pain and can definitely be proactive in your health. Pain is often the last symptom to appear. The body gives you many signals prior to pain to let you know something isn’t functioning as it should. Symptoms could include:
loss of range of motion
redness or warmth around a joint
numbness
tingling and stiffness
Chiropractors are trained to find areas that can lead to dysfunction and eventually pain. Chiropractors effectively treat these areas of dysfunction without drugs or surgery.
Remember, it is always easier to prevent pain from occurring than trying to get the pain to resolve.
Are chiropractors safe?
Doctors of Chiropractic (DC) have some of the lowest rates for malpractice insurance in all of healthcare. That is because chiropractic care has great results for reducing pain and very few side effects. Side effects that can happen are typically mild and range from muscle soreness to feeling tired the day of the adjustment.
How do you become a Chiropractor?
Chiropractors attend four years of chiropractic school after attaining the prerequisite education for chiropractic school of at least a Bachelor’s degree or 90-semester credits. Chiropractic education includes at least 4,200 hours of classroom/laboratory study and clinical experience.
Chiropractors are also required to take national board exams administered through the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners (NBCE).
Board exams consist of four parts, the first part happens during the second year of schooling, followed by the second part in the third year, and the third and fourth parts happen during the final year of schooling. Parts one through three are written exams, each part includes six subjects and is given over two days. The fourth part is a practical exam that includes reading x-rays, diagnosis, physical exam, and treatment.
All this education leads to well-trained professionals with some of the lowest malpractice rates in healthcare.
Are chiropractors doctors?
Yes, chiropractors are doctors. No, they are not medical doctors, naturopathic doctors, massage therapists, or physical therapists. Chiropractors are Doctors of Chiropractic, with training as a chiropractor, their degree is a Doctorate of Chiropractic and their licensing is as a Doctor of Chiropractic.
When not to see a chiropractor
Most people can safely see a chiropractor. A chiropractor should perform a thorough examination before any treatment is given. Chiropractors are highly trained to recognize contraindications to chiropractic treatment.
There are few absolute contraindications to some types of chiropractic adjustments, they include:
Cancer of the spine
Manual manipulation of the neck (if you have an increased risk of stroke or have had a stroke)
Active infection of the spine or joints
Broken bones
How can Meridian Medicine Help?
Lynna Lies, DC at Meridian Medicine is a Board Certified, Washington Licensed Chiropractor. If you have questions about chiropractic or are wondering if chiropractic can help your specific need, Dr. Lynna would love to meet with you and discuss options for treatment.
Depending on your needs, Dr. Lynna may perform a chiropractic evaluation to determine if chiropractic is right for you or determines if further tests or other medical interventions are needed. Schedule your appointment today to learn more.