Chiropractic
Chiropractic is a licensed profession in health care that emphasizes your body’s natural ability to heal. Manual therapy is often used, including spinal manipulation. Exercise and nutritional counseling may also be used in conjunction with other forms of treatment.
What Chiropractors do
Chiropractors treat patients in a similar way to conventional doctors. The chiropractor will interview the patient and obtain detailed information about their health. They will also perform tests, examine them, and come up with a diagnosis. Then, they develop a treatment plan, begin the treatment and monitor patient progress. Chiropractors treat many problems relating to the musculoskeletal systems.
Chiropractors use a variety of manual treatment techniques, from stretching to sustained pressure. They also perform specific joint manipulations that are delivered with a gentle and quick thrust. The manipulations are used to improve the joint’s function and motion. The spine is the most common area of the body where manipulations are performed. However, other parts may be treated as well.
Education and Licensing of Practitioners
In order to practice chiropractic in the United States chiropractors need a Doctor of Chiropractic degree (D.C. ), must pass the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners examination, and hold a state license. In many states, chiropractors must also pass an exam on state-specific laws. All states require chiropractors in practice to attend continuing education courses.
- lStudents must have completed at least three years of undergraduate studies in order to enroll in a D.C. Program in the United States.
- lThe Council on Chiropractic Education is an accredited agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. In 2017, 15 D.C. Programs were accredited on 18 Campuses.
- lThe chiropractic education program includes basic science classes, such as anatomy, physiology and spinal assessment. Students also learn diagnostic skills, such as the use of adjustment techniques and diagnosis.
- lSome chiropractors pursue postgraduate training in specific fields such as pediatrics or orthopedics.
- lState-by-state, chiropractors are permitted to practice in different ways. Some health insurance plans cover chiropractic care, but the coverage is often partial.
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