What is Chiropractic Medicine? | What Conditions Does Chiropractic Care Help? | Do Chiropractic Adjustments Work? | What’s the Takeaway?
Overview
You’ve tried stretches and over-the-counter medications, but that nagging lower back pain never seems to go away. “Maybe you should see a chiropractor,” says one of your co-workers.
And maybe they are right. Chiropractors can help with painful and nagging physical conditions without medications or surgical interventions.
But before you make your first appointment with a chiropractor, let’s look at some important information that can help you decide whether this field of medicine is right for you and whether some potential side effects are worth it.
What is Chiropractic Medicine?
Chiropractic medicine is considered a form of alternative medicine that uses hands-on, non-invasive methods to diagnose and treat various disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Spinal manipulation is often used to achieve this, but massage, exercise, and nutritional guidance may be part of a chiropractic treatment plan.[1]
To practice chiropractic medicine in the U.S., practitioners must earn a Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.) degree, pass the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners exam, and have a state license as a minimum.
A chiropractic appointment looks the same as an appointment with a physician, where you are asked questions about your health and medical history, allergies, and anything else worth noting. A physical exam on where you wish to get treatment usually precedes any treatment program.
A chiropractor may also refer you to a physician or a specialist if they deem it necessary.
What Conditions Does Chiropractic Care Help?
People seek out the help of a chiropractor for all types of muscle, bone, and joint issues located anywhere in the body, but most commonly for:[1]
· Low back pain
· Neck pain
· Whiplash
· Headaches
· Arthritis
· Sciatica
· Joint pain and dysfunction
Although sometimes possible to achieve, generally, chiropractic treatments are not intended for immediate relief but are meant to restore function over the long term.
Along with treatment, the full spectrum of chiropractic also involves education about ideal body positioning at work, during sports, and when lying down.
Some people can experience minor side effects for a few days after a spinal adjustment. Headaches, fatigue, or some pain in the treated area can occur.
Do Chiropractic Adjustments Work?
While many clinical studies of chiropractic care have been undertaken, the practice has yet to be revealed to be effective for any condition except for some forms of back pain[2] compared to other types of medical treatments.
However, chiropractic treatments are generally considered safe when performed by a skilled practitioner and for an appropriate issue.[3]
What’s the Takeaway?
Spinal adjustments can effectively treat some types of back pain – especially low-back pain. Although not necessarily backed by clinical review, some people feel this intervention has helped them with other health concerns involving bones, joints, and muscles.
As the practice is considered comparatively safe, you may wish to try it if you’d like to avoid using medications.
Check your practitioner’s credentials before beginning any treatment, which is particularly necessary if your treatments are helping with other types of health issues that are not musculoskeletal.
References:
- Dagenais, S., & Haldeman, S. (2002). Chiropractic. Primary care, 29(2), 419–437. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0095-4543(01)00005-7
- Ernst E. (2008). Chiropractic: a critical evaluation. Journal of pain and symptom management, 35(5), 544–562. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2007.07.004
- Gouveia, L. O., Castanho, P., & Ferreira, J. J. (2009). Safety of chiropractic interventions: a systematic review. Spine, 34(11), E405–E413. https://doi.org/10.1097/BRS.0b013e3181a16d63
