What is a Chiropractor?

A chiropractor is a specialized licensed practitioner with extensive training in the diagnosis and treatment of neuromusculoskeletal disorders. Chiropractors approach patient care in a manner similar to that used by other medical specialists. They interview the patient, obtain a detailed health history, perform an examination, do tests, and develop a working diagnosis. They then develop a management plan, start treatment, and monitor the patient’s progress.

Chiropractors utilize non-surgical, drug free treatments in the form of manual therapies, including stretching, rehabilitation exercises, spinal/extremity adjustments, and more. Chiropractors also focus on patient education to assist in managing musculoskeletal conditions including ergonomic training, lifestyle strategies and nutrition.

Chiropractic Education

To practice in the United States, chiropractors must:

  • Earn a Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.) Degree
    • Must Earn a Bachelors Degree Before Enrolling in Chiropractic School
    • Chiropractic School can take anywhere from three and a half to five years to complete and requires a minimum of 4,200 instructional hours.
    • Institutions that award the D.C. degree are accredited by the Council on Chiropractic Education, which is recognized as an accrediting agency by the U.S. Secretary of Education.
  • Pass 4 National Board Exams
  • Hold a State License
  • All states require practicing chiropractors to take continuing education classes

Our chiropractors at CSMC complete postgraduate education accredited in both chiropractic and medical academia. For more information on CSMC credential requirements, click here.

What is a Chiropractic Adjustment

A chiropractic adjustment is a procedure in which trained specialists (chiropractors) use their hands or a small instrument to apply a specific, quick, controlled force to a spinal joint or joints. There are over 100 different chiropractic methods. No one method is necessarily better than another. Our doctors at CSMC utilize a variety of different techniques and tailor these techniques to your specific condition and preference to provide safe, comfortable, effective care.

Effects of a Chiropractic Adjustment

The goal of the chiropractic adjustment is to reduce tension on tissues in and around a joint. This allows an injured or painful joint to heal faster with better long term function as well as decreases “wear and tear” of a joint by allowing the joint to freely move within its appropriate boundary.

The chiropractic adjustment works to:

  • Improve Mobility/Flexibility
  • Improve Joint Position/Spinal Posture
  • Reduce Joint Pressure/Inflammation
  • Decrease Pain Sensitivity
  • Decrease Muscle Tension/Spasm Surrounding Joint
  • Improve Body’s Physical Function
    • Walking, Balance, Coordination, etc.

Are Chiropractic Adjustments Safe?

Chiropractic adjustments are safe when performed by a trained and licensed chiropractor, as stated in medical and chiropractic literature:

2015 Study Published in The Journal of Maniuplative and Physiological Therapies

  • “cases of serious adverse events in infants and children receiving chiropractic, osteopathic, physiotherapy, or manual medical therapy are rare.”

2017 Study Published in The Journal of Stroke and Cerebrovascular Diseases

  • “no excess risk of carotid artery stroke after chiropractic care.”

2017 Study Published in The Journal of Musculoskeletal Science and Practice

  • “[adverse events] were mild and transient, and severe or serious [adverse events] were not observed.”

2023 Study Published in The European Spine Journal

  • “Multiple approaches to analysis failed to demonstrate any consistent increased risk of [Cervical Artery Tearing/Stroke] associated with [neck adjustment] and in fact showed a significantly decreased risk of [neck adjustment] compared to [Examination] in the population controls and case-crossover analyses.”

Similar to malpractice issues with other medical specialists, most adverse events in chiropractic are due to misdiagnosis or applying the wrong treatment to the wrong condition. Our doctors at CSMC specialize in the diagnosis and management of severe conditions to ensure you get the most safe and effective treatment specific to your condition.
In instances where chiropractic care is not the most optimal treatment for your condition, we can refer you to the appropriate specialist.

What you can expect

At your initial visit, your chiropractor will ask questions about your health history and perform a physical exam, with particular attention to your spine. Your chiropractor may also recommend other examinations or tests, such as X-rays.

During the procedure

During a typical chiropractic adjustment, your chiropractor places you in specific positions to treat affected areas. Often, you’re positioned lying facedown on a specially designed, padded chiropractic table. The chiropractor uses his or her hands to apply a controlled, sudden force to a joint, pushing it beyond its usual range of motion. You may hear popping or cracking sounds as your chiropractor moves your joints during the treatment session.

After the procedure

Some people experience minor side effects for a few days after chiropractic adjustment. These may include headaches, fatigue or pain in the parts of the body that were treated.

Results

Chiropractic adjustment can be effective in treating low back pain, although much of the research done shows only a modest benefit — similar to the results of more-conventional treatments. Some studies suggest that spinal manipulation may also be effective for headaches and other spine-related conditions, such as neck pain.
Not everyone responds to chiropractic adjustments. A lot depends on your particular situation. If your symptoms don’t begin to improve after several weeks of treatments, chiropractic adjustment might not be the best option for you.