Frequently Asked Questions
Chiropractic is a health care profession that focuses on disorders of the musculoskeletal system, the nervous system, and the effects of these disorders on general health. Chiropractic services are used most often to treat neuromusculoskeletal complaints, including but not limited to back pain, neck pain, pain in the joints of the arms or legs, and headaches. [1]
What is a Chiropractic Doctor?
Doctors of Chiropractic (DCs) – often referred to as chiropractors or chiropractic physicians – practice a hands-on, drug-free approach to health care that includes patient examination, diagnosis and treatment. Chiropractors have broad diagnostic skills and are also trained to recommend therapeutic and rehabilitative exercises, as well as to provide nutritional, dietary and lifestyle counseling.
DCs may assess patients through clinical examination, laboratory testing, diagnostic imaging and other diagnostic interventions to determine when chiropractic treatment is appropriate or when it is not appropriate. Chiropractors will readily refer patients to the appropriate health care provider when chiropractic care is not suitable for the patient’s condition, or the condition warrants co-management in conjunction with other health care providers.
In many cases, such as lower back pain, chiropractic care may be a patient's primary method of treatment. When other medical conditions exist, chiropractic services may complement or support medical treatment by relieving the musculoskeletal aspects associated with the condition.
Like their MD colleagues, doctors of chiropractic are subject to the boundaries established in state practice acts and are regulated by state licensing boards. Further, their education in four-year doctoral graduate school programs is nationally accredited through an agency that operates under the auspices of the U.S. Department of Education. After graduation, they must pass national board exams before obtaining a license to practice, and then must maintain their license annually by earning continuing education (CE) credits through state-approved CE programs. - From the American Chiropractic Association [1]
Educational and licensing requirements for doctors of chiropractic (DCs) are among the most stringent of any of the health care professions.
DCs are educated in nationally accredited, four-year doctoral graduate school programs through a curriculum that includes a minimum of 4,200 hours of classroom, laboratory and clinical internship, with the average DC program equivalent in classroom hours to allopathic (MD) and osteopathic (DO) medical schools.
They are designated as physician-level providers in the vast majority of states and federal Medicare program. The essential services provided by DCs are also available in federal health delivery systems, including those administered by Medicaid, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the U.S. Department of Defense, the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program, Federal Workers' Compensation, and all state workers' compensation programs.
Certification and licensure of chiropractors is governed by the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners (NBCE).
Chiropractors must pass a national board exam administred by NBCE and then obtain a license in the state in which they wish to practice. Additionally, they must meet yearly continuing education requirements to maintain their license. [1]
The typical applicant at a chiropractic college has already acquired nearly four years of pre-medical undergraduate college education, including courses in biology, inorganic and organic chemistry, physics, psychology and related lab work. Once accepted into an accredited chiropractic college, the requirements become even more demanding — four to five academic years of professional study are the standard. Because of the hands-on nature of chiropractic, and the intricate adjusting techniques, a significant portion of time is spent in clinical training.
Chiropractors undergo a rigorous education in the healing sciences, similar to that of medical doctors. In some areas, such as anatomy, physiology, rehabilitation, nutrition and public health, they receive more intensive education than their MD counterparts. Like other primary health care doctors, chiropractic students spend a significant portion of their curriculum studying clinical subjects related to evaluating and caring for patients. Typically, as part of their professional training, they must complete a minimum of a one-year clinical-based program dealing with actual patient care. In total, the curriculum includes a minimum of 4,200 hours of classroom, laboratory and clinical experience. The course of study is approved by an accrediting agency that is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. This has been the case for more than 25 years.
This extensive education prepares doctors of chiropractic to diagnose health care problems, treat the problems when they are within their scope of practice and refer patients to other health care practitioners when appropriate. [1]
What is an adjustment?
One of the most common and well known therapeutic procedures performed by doctors of chiropractic is spinal manipulation (sometimes referred to as a "chiropractic adjustment"). The adjustment is performed by a chiropractor manually applying a controlled force in order to adjust areas in the spine that are causing discomfort or problems in the body. The purpose of spinal manipulation is to gain mobility, lessen pain, and improve your body’s functioning. There are many different manipulative techniques that can be utilized in chiropractic, and there is a certain skill level and "art" involved with different adjustments or manipulations.
Chiropractic adjustment rarely causes discomfort. However, patients may sometimes experience mild soreness or aching following treatment (as with some forms of exercise) that usually resolves within 12 to 48 hours. [1]
What is that popping sound I hear when I am adjusted?
Adjustment (or manipulation) of a joint may result in the release of a gas bubble between the joints, which makes a popping sound. The same thing occurs when you “crack” your knuckles. The noise is caused by the change of pressure within the joint, which results in gas bubbles being released. There is usually minimal, if any, discomfort involved.
Is chiropractic treatment safe?
Chiropractic treatment, when it's performed by someone trained and licensed to deliver chiropractic care, is widely recognized as one of the safest drug-free, non-invasive therapies available for the treatment of neuromusculoskeletal complaints. Malpractice insurance carriers know this! Medical malpractice insurance can cost anywhere between $20,000 and $100,000 per year, whereas chiropractic malpractice insurance costs anywhere from $100 to $2500 per year!
What about the risk of stroke or VAD?
In reviewing the outcomes of malpractice claims records for a 10-year period between 1988 and 1997 (following the application of 134.5 million cervical manipulations ) , the records indicated that there were 23 reported cases of stroke or vertebral artery dissection (VAD). [2] Of this group, 10 of the patients had the complicating factors of high blood pressure, use of oral contraceptives, or a history of smoking, all of which are associated with vascular disease. The actual incidence of stroke or VAD following cervical manipulation was found to be one per 5.85 million cervical adjustments. That means that the average chiropractor could work for 1430 years (or practice 48 full chiropractic careers!) before they might be involved with this type of litigation.[2] Other reports, listing a higher frequency of adverse events, have been compromised by the tendency of those authors to inappropriately list the pracitioner as a chiropractor, even when it turned out that the injury was caused by a medical doctor, a physical therapist or a hairdresser! [3], [4]
What are the risks of lower back injuries from chiropractic care?
Lower back injury alleged to have occurred following spinal manipulative therapy has been reported in patients with pre-existing disc herniation or prolapse. While it is suggested that the forces required to cause a disruption of the annular fibers of the healthy intervertebral disc well exceed that of a rotational manipulative thrust, some disc herniation/protrusion may certainly be aggravated by an inappropriately applied manipulative maneuver, as it may be by other simple activities of daily living such as bending, sneezing, or lifting. The most frequently described severe complication is compression of the cauda equina by massive midline nuclear herniation at the level of the 3rd, 4th or 5th intervertebral disc. Of the 30 cauda equina complications associated with manipulation reported in the French, German and English literature over an 80 year period, only 8 were allegedly related to chiropractic treatment. [6]
How does the risk compare to other treatments available for the same symptoms such as medication and/or surgery.?
Some of the most common treatments for musculoskeletal pain is over-the-counter or prescription nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) and prescription painkillers. According to the American Journal of Gastroenterology, people taking NSAIDS are three times more likely , to develop serious adverse gastrointestinal problems such as hemorrhage (bleeding) and perforation than those who do not. That risk rises to more than five times among people age 60 and older. [7] Approximately 107,000 patients are hospitalized annually for nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)-related gastrointestinal (GI) complications (internal bleeding) and at least 16,500 NSAID-related deaths occur each year among arthritis patients alone. The figures for all NSAID users would be overwhelming, yet the scope of this problem is generally under-reported. [8]
Another article titled “36 Percent of Acute Liver Failures Are Linked to Acetaminophen” suggests that other organ systems are also compromised by the use of over-the-counter pain medications. [9] Lauretti's review of the literature found that The best evidence indicates that cervical manipulation for neck pain is much safer than the use of NSAIDs, by as much as a factor of several hundred times. [10]
Moreover, since the 1990s, when the amount of opioids prescribed to patients began to grow, the number of overdoses and deaths from prescription opioids has also increased. Even as the amount of opioids prescribed and sold for pain has increased, the amount of pain that Americans report has not similarly changed. From 1999 to 2016, more than 200,000 people died in the United States from overdoses related to prescription opioids. Overdose deaths involving prescription opioids were five times higher in 2016 than in 1999. [11]
Now let's look at some history in regard to surgery. In 1974, the Congressional Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce held hearings on unnecessary surgery. Their findings from the First Surgical Second Opinion Program found that 17.6% of recommendations for surgery were not confirmed. The House Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations extrapolated these figures to estimate that, on a nationwide basis, there were 2.4 million unnecessary surgeries performed annually resulting in 11,900 deaths at an annual cost of $3.9 billion. [12] With the total number of lower back surgeries having been estimated in 1995 to exceed 250,000 in the U.S. at a hospital cost of $11,000 per patient. [13] This would mean that the total number of unnecessary back surgeries each year in the U.S. could approach 44,000, costing as much as $484 million. [14] So, the biggest risk of spinal surgery is that it may not be necessary.
In one study, researchers reviewed records from 1,450 patients in the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation database who had diagnoses of disc degeneration, disc herniation or radiculopathy, a nerve condition that causes tingling and weakness of the limbs. Half of the patients had surgery to fuse two or more vertebrae in hopes of curing low back pain. The other half had no surgery, even though they had comparable diagnoses. After two years, just 26 percent of those who had surgery had actually returned to work. That’s compared to 67 percent of patients who didn’t have surgery. In what might be the most troubling study finding, researchers determined that there was a 41 percent increase in the use of painkillers, specifically opiates, in those who had surgery. This Spine Journal study shows that, in many cases, surgery does not work and can even can backfire, leaving patients in even more pain. [15]
Additional risks associated with surgeries according to research include: a 2.1% chance of a serious adverse drug reaction, [16] a 5-6% chance of acquiring a nosocomial infection, [17] a 4-36% chance of having an iatrogenic injury (medical error or adverse drug reactions), [18] and a 17% chance of a procedure error. [19] As few as 3%, and no more than 20% of iatrogenic injuries are ever reported! [20]
Even prolonged bed rest carries some risks, including muscle atrophy, cardiopulmonary deconditioning, bone mineral loss and thromoembolism.[21]
What conditions can be treated with chiropractic care?
Doctors of Chiropractic (DCs) care for patients of all ages, with a variety of health conditions. DCs are especially well known for their expertise in caring for patients with back pain, neck pain and headaches...particularly with their highly skilled manipulations or chiropractic adjustments. They also care for patients with a wide range of injuries and disorders of the musculoskeletal system, involving the muscles, ligaments and joints. These painful conditions often involve or impact the nervous system, which can cause referred pain and dysfunction distant to the region of injury. The benefits of chiropractic care can extend to general health issues, as well, since our body structure affects our overall function. DCs also counsel patients on diet, nutrition, exercise, healthy habits, and occupational and lifestyle modification. [1]
Is chiropractic treatment expensive?
Findings from a study utilizing data from the North Carolina State Health Plan collected between 2000-2009 show that care by a doctor of chiropractic (DC) alone or DC care in conjunction with care by a medical doctor (MD) incurred “appreciably fewer charges” for uncomplicated lower back pain than MD care with or without care by a physical therapist. [22]
Older Medicare patients with chronic low back pain and other medical problems who received spinal manipulation from a chiropractic physician had lower costs of care and shorter episodes of back pain than patients in other treatment groups. Patients who received a combination of chiropractic and medical care had the next lowest Medicare costs, and patients who received medical care only incurred the highest costs. [23]
Low back pain initiated with a doctor of chiropractic (DC) saves 20 to 40 percent on health care costs when compared with care initiated through a medical doctor (MD), according to a study that analyzed data from 85,000 Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) beneficiaries in Tennessee over a two-year span. The study population had open access to MDs and DCs through self-referral, and there were no limits applied to the number of MD/DC visits allowed and no differences in co-pays. Researchers estimated that allowing DC-initiated episodes of care would have led to an annual cost savings of $2.3 million for BCBS of Tennessee. They also concluded that insurance companies that restrict access to chiropractic care for low back pain treatment may inadvertently pay more for care than they would if they removed such restrictions. [24]
“Chiropractic care appeared relatively cost-effective for the treatment of chronic low-back pain. Chiropractic and medical care performed comparably for acute patients. Practice-based clinical outcomes were consistent with systematic reviews of spinal manipulative efficacy: manipulation-based therapy is at least as good as and, in some cases, better than other therapeusis.” [25]
Can chiropractic care help children?
More and more parents are seeking chiropractic care for their children. Many spinal problems seen in adults began as early as birth. Even so called “natural” birthing methods can stress an infant’s spine and developing nerve system. The resulting irritation to the nerve system caused by spinal and cranial misalignment can be the cause of many newborn health complaints. Colic, breathing problems, nursing difficulties, sleep disturbances, allergic reactions and chronic infections can often be traced to nerve system stress.
Since significant spinal trauma can occur at birth, many parents have their newborns checked right away. As the infant grows, learning to hold up the head, sit, crawl and walk are all activities that affect spinal alignment and are important times to have a child checked by a Doctor of Chiropractic.
As the child begins to participate in regular childhood activities like skating or riding a bike, small yet significant spinal misalignments (subluxations) may occur. If neglected, the injuries during this period of rapid growth may lead to more serious problems later in life. Subtle trauma throughout childhood will affect the future development of the spine leading to impaired nervous system function. Any interference to the vital nerve system will adversely affect the body’s ability to function at its best.
One of the most common reasons parents seek care for their child is trauma from an injury of some sort. These misalignments may or may not result in immediate pain or symptoms. Regular chiropractic checkups can identify potential spinal injury from these traumas, make the correction early in life and help avoid many of the health complaints seen later in adults. Proper spinal hygiene is an important key to better health. Another sought out reason for care is the resolution of a particular symptom or condition. Parents seek care for conditions such as colic, ear infections, asthma, allergies and headaches (to name a few) because they have heard from other parents that chiropractic care can help.
Chiropractic adjusting procedures are modified to fit a child’s size, weight, and unique spinal condition. They are both gentle and specific to the child’s developing spinal structures. Most parents report that their children enjoy their chiropractic adjustments and look forward to subsequent visits. They also report that their children experience a greater level of health while under regular chiropractic care.
Article Written by Jeanne Ohm, D.C.
Tuesday, 01 March 2005
http://icpa4kids.org/Wellness-Articles/why-should-children-have-chiropractic-care.html
The ICPA has initiated a ground breaking study on the safety and effectiveness of chiropractic care for children. The preliminary results are outstanding and show that chiropractic care is safe for children. Even more significant is that parents reported three unexpected improvements with their child's care:
Improved sleeping
Improved behavior and attitude
Improved immune system function
(This research was presented in 2007 at the 14th Annual Symposium on Complimentary Health Care in Exeter, UK.) [26,27]
Can chiropractic care help the elderly?
Spinal pain is a significant musculoskeletal problem among older patients. Bad spinal health can impact nerve function of the legs, which impacts the potential for strength to be stored. The
prevalence of disabling and non-disabling back pain in community-dwelling adults is six percent and 23 percent, respectively, and is on the rise making it more important to be proactive when it
comes to spinal health. [28] Many elderly, though, turn to different Western medical practices, such as medication use and surgeries, for help. The problem is that the risk factor of developing side effects from these treatments is also increased for the elderly. This fragility of the elderly body makes chiropractic care an importance componet of healthcare for seniors. Chiropractors can help the elderly population maintain health, quality of life, reduce injury, prevent falls and improve physical function through various techniques such as spinal adjustments*, strength training, balance exercises and additional wellness methods. Chiropractic is a completely natural drug free method of healthcare and healing which has been proven to be one of the safest treatment options available to people of all ages, particularly the elderly.[29]
*Adjustments and various techniques are adapted and suited to support the needs and comfort
of the older patient.
Do you need a referral from an MD in order to get chiropractic treatment?
A referral is usually not needed to see a doctor of chiropractic (DC); however, your health plan may have specific referral requirements. You may want to contact your employer’s human resources department—or the insurance plan directly—to find out if there are any referral requirements. Most plans allow you to just call and schedule an appointment with a DC. [1]
Does insurance cover chiropractic treatment?
Yes. Chiropractic care is included in most health insurance plans, including major medical plans, workers’ compensation, Medicare, some Medicaid plans, and Blue Cross Blue Shield plans for federal employees, among others. Chiropractic care is also available to active-duty members of the armed forces at more than 60 military bases and is available to veterans at more than 60 major veterans medical facilities. [1]
Can chiropractic care help with addiction recovery?
Several research studies have pointed to the efficacy of the use of Chiropractic Care during recovery from addictions. The Miami Herald in March 29, 2001 reported on how chiropractic care is helping those in a residential Miami drug addiction program. Ninety-eight patients at Miami’s Exodus drug-treatment program participated in a study that was featured in a Journal of Nature magazine called “Molecular Psychiatry”. The participants were divided into three groups. One group got the regular regime of addiction care. The second group got “sham” (these patient’s think they have received an adjustment but they have not) adjustments, while the third group got actual chiropractic adjustments to correct subluxations. The group with the regular care and the sham chiropractic had a completion rate in the program of only 74% and 56%. The group that received the chiropractic care to correct subluxations showed a completion rate of 100%. The implications of completion of a drug treatment program are very important to preventing addicts from returning to drugs. The study also reported that the patients involved in the study at the treatment center who received chiropractic care made fewer visits to a nurses’ station and showed significant decreases in anxiety.
Dr. Jay Holder, medical director of the Exodus program and the chiropractor who conducted the study said, “Completing a 28- to 30-day program greatly enhances an addict’s chances of staying clean, but nationally only 72 percent of participants make it all the way through such programs.” Holder went on to say, “This correction of what chiropractors call subluxation results in a sense of well-being that allows patients to benefit more thoroughly from the group therapy and medical care of addiction treatment.” “Chiropractic does not treat addiction — it does not treat any disease,” Holder said. “We’re allowing those things that treat addiction to be embraced more thoroughly.”
Can chiropractic improve athletic performance?
None of us are perfectly made - we all have asymmetry throughout the body, meaning one side of the body is different from the other. It could be size differences or strength difference on the left or right side, but most commonly we deal with mobility and flexibility issues. While this may not be a major problem for may of us - it becomes more of a problem for the athlete. An athlete's body takes on a lot of stress. Between tough workouts and the rigors of practices and games, athletes can often suffer chronic aches and pains, which unfortunately can morph into serious injuries. By correcting spinal alignment and function, a chiropractor can help maximize performance on the field by preventing injuries and improving recovery.
Chiropractic adjustments allow the body to move as freely as it was designed to do. When your spine is out of alignment, your muscles commonly spasm or cramp up, causing a decrease in range of motion. Relieving misalignments throughout the spine helps free up areas of tension in the back and neck, reducing pain and improving mobility. As a byproduct, this treatment can also improve your exercise form—especially during overhead lifts—because tight muscles won't be holding you back.
Misalignments throughout the body slow down healing. When an athlete is injured, his or her body tries to protect itself with muscle spams and inflammation. This increases the time it takes for the athlete to heal fully and get back on the field. Chiropractic adjustments speed up the recovery process of your muscles. Chiropractic care maximizes recovery and helps keep your body healthy.
No wonder , for years professional athletes — including Michael Phelps, Jerry Rice and Joe Montana — have made a point to regularly be treated by chiropractors. In fact, all 32 of NFL teams have a chiropractor on staff. The average pro football chiropractor renders 30 to 50 treatments per week during the season. With the in-season (game-playing) duration lasting 16 weeks (not including quarterback camp, mini-camp, and pre- and post-season), 34 chiropractors conservatively give 16,320 to 27,200 adjustments to America’s superstars in just 120 days. [30]
The biggest benefits of chiropractic care for athletes, include: Undoing the punishment the body takes in sports, Treating a variety of sports injuries, such as shoulder pain, sprains, tennis and golfers's elbow, hedaches, sciatica... among other conditions, enhancing performance and reducing chance of injury.
Can chiropractic really decrease the odds of needing surgery or hospitalization?
In an Independent Practice Association which permitted patients to select a Doctor Of Chiropractic as their primary care physician, clinical and cost utilization based on 70,274 member months over a 7 year time frame demonstrated that seeing a Chiropractor resulted in:
60.2% decrease in hospital admissions (!!), 59% decrease in hospital days, 62% decrease in outpatient surgeries and procedures, and 85% medication costs when compared with conventional medicine.
These were across the board savings regardless of types of health care challenges – illnesses, diseases, and all injuries, not just back pain and neck pain cases. [40]
In another study, the type of health care provider – namely a surgeon or a doctor of chiropractic – the back pain patient sees first, is a strong predictive variable as to whether the patient will undergo surgery for the back pain. The study authors, who note that "there is little evidence spine surgery is associated with improved population outcomes, yet surgery rates have increased dramatically since the 1990s," found that Washington state workers with an occupational back injury who visited a surgeon (orthopedic, neuro or general) first were significantly more likely to receive spine surgery within three years (42.7 percent of workers) than workers whose first visit was to a doctor of chiropractic (only 1.5 percent of workers). This association held true even when controlling for injury severity and other measures. Of the 174 workers (9.2 percent of the subject population) who had a surgery during the three-year time frame, the vast majority were decompression procedures (78.7 percent), with 3.4 percent undergoing fusion without decompression and 17.8 percent undergoing both on the same day. [41]
Can chiropractic care increase immunity?
Several research studies have demonstrate that spinal manipulation may influence the immune system's response to various stimuli. Some studies suggest that manipulation consistently reduced the production of pro-inflammatory mediators associated with tissue damage and pain from articular structures. Other studies provide evidence that manipulation consistently reduced the production of pro-inflammatory mediators associated with tissue damage and pain from articular structures. and even other studies provide evidence that manipulation may induce and enhance production of the immunoregulatory cytokine IL-2 and the production of immunoglobulins as well.
While there are some limitations to these studies, this research opens the door to further exploration of the possible neuroimmunoregulatory effects of spinal manipulation and confirms what many patients have experienced in practice: Adjustments reduce pain and inflammation, and may improve immunoregulatory function. [42]
Can chiropractic care help with gastrointestinal issues?
The nerves in the thoracic (chest and abdominal) region of the spine are linked with digestion. One study published in the journal International Surgery looked at a group of 27 people who had chronic abdominal pain and found that 66% of them showed evidence of a thoracic disc herniation—a problem in the area between the spinal bones. And two-thirds of those patients who did have a herniated disc had been previously diagnosed with IBS.
Herniated discs aren't the only spinal issues that can cause stomach problems. "If the thoracic vertebrae are out of alignment, these nerves begin sending erratic impulses to the stomach and intestines, which may lead to digestive problems such as heartburn, bloating, and gas," says Erik Schutt, a chiropractor and physiotherapist in Tempe, AZ. "Keeping the thoracic spine free from nerve interference promotes digestive healing and optimal function."
Can chiropractic care decrease blood pressure?
An abundance of evidence has shown a relationship between the upper neck vertebrae and the body's natural blood pressure control reflexes. Chiropractic adjustments to the upper neck can lower both systolic and diastolic blood pressure significantly. Chiropractic treatment effect appears greatest in people with higher blood pressure![45,46] A University of Chicago study that looked at 50 people with high blood pressure and misaligned vertebra in their neck found that after one chiropractic session, their blood pressure dropped significantly—and the drop was equal to taking two blood pressure meds at once.
Can chiropractic care cure diseases?
While there have been numerous case studies where a disease has resolved while the patient was undergoing chiropractic care, it’s not necessarily a miracle treatment. It can’t cure everything, but it can often reverse actual causes of pain and/or symptoms. The benefits of Chiropractic care can extend to all sorts of conditions, such as: fibromyalgia, fertility issues, headaches or migraines, ear infection, menstrual disorders, gastrointestinal syndromes, colic, multiple sclerosis, and asthma just to name a few. Chiropractic care can even provides options for cancer patients!
The Cancer Treatment Centers of America note “Cancer and treatments for cancer can cause stress on the musculoskeletal system. Some cancer patients experience peripheral neuropathy, aches and pains in the neck and/or back, muscle tension, headaches, or difficulty walking. Chiropractic care can help to reduce stress and increase mobility, flexibility, strength and function, as well as help improve overall well-being.”
Why Chiropractic?
Drug Free
Every day, more than 115 people in the United States die after overdosing on opioids. [31] The misuse of and addiction to opioids—including prescription pain relievers, heroin, and synthetic opioids such as fentanyl—is a serious national crisis that affects public health as well as social and economic welfare. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that the total "economic burden" of prescription opioid misuse alone in the United States is $78.5 billion a year, including the costs of healthcare, lost productivity, addiction treatment, and criminal justice involvement. [32]
Roughly 21 to 29 percent of patients prescribed opioids for chronic pain misuse them.[33]
Between 8 and 12 percent develop an opioid use disorder.[34-36]
An estimated 4 to 6 percent who misuse prescription opioids transition to heroin.[34-36]
About 80 percent of people who use heroin first misused prescription opioids.[34]
Opioid overdoses increased 30 percent from July 2016 through September 2017 in 52 areas in 45 states.[37]
It’s a great option for anyone interested in reducing medication use. Although there are various techniques that chiropractors use to treat patients, none of them are as invasive as surgery, and patients report few, if any, side effects as are common with medications. A number of studies have found that chiropractic care can reduce pain even more effectively than medications. A study in 2012 found that spinal manipulation was more effective than medication for acute neck pain. [38] Similarly, a study published in the July 15, 2003, edition of the medical journal Spine found that manual manipulation provides better short-term relief of chronic spinal pain than a variety of medications.[39]
Fewer Hospitalizations
Chiropractic Treatment has shown to significantly reduce the need for hospitalization compared to treatment by medical doctors. More information
Fewer Surgeries
While Chiropractors utilize a number of techniques and therapies in order to help patients- none are as invasive, risky or costly as surgery. More information
Cost Effective
Studies have shown that patients whose primary care physicians were doctors of chiropractic had: Less in-hospital admissions, Less in-hospital days, Less outpatient surgeries and procedures, and Less pharmaceutical costs[43] More information
Low Risk
Chiropractic is widely recognized as one of the safest drug-free, non-invasive therapies available for the treatment of neuromusculoskeletal complaints. More information
You are treating the cause of pain and not just the symptoms
Chiropractic Care can’t cure everything, but In many cases, it can reverse the cause of some of your pain. If your neck is out of whack, taking a painkiller will treat the symptoms – but seeing a chiropractor might just correct the cause of the pain.
Preventative Care
When the spinal cord is misaligned, it can lead to muscle stiffness or pain, pinched nerves, or other issues. Going to a chiropractor regularly can prevent these issues from occurring in the first place.
Improve Joint Function
The Joint notes that one of the greatest benefits of chiropractic care is how it can help improve joint health by reducing dysfunction. They explain:“Joint dysfunctions in the spine may eventually lead to symptoms in other parts or joints of the body as well. These symptoms are your body’s only way of letting you know something is wrong. Unfortunately, the absence of pain is not an indication of health. By the time pain and symptoms appear the problem may have been present for months, even years. The great news is that you can help prevent these types of symptoms and conditions with routine chiropractic care."
Improve Posture
The technological culture of the world has turned into a culture of sitting. We are not nearly as active as the generations past. In this age of computers, work pads, cellphones etc we have developed a more forward head posture that puts pressure on our neck - up to ten pounds per inch that we are forward of proper posture. This is incredibly detrimental to our spinal health. Other factors that contribute to poor posture include stress, obesity, pregnancy, weak postural muscles, abnormally tight muscles, high-heeled shoes, decreased flexibility, a poor work environment, incorrect working posture, and unhealthy standing habits
100% Chiropractic explains that: “Over time, regular chiropractic adjustments can help align tilting and curves in your spine and help you improve your posture. This can be particularly beneficial when it comes to the curve in your neck. Many people develop neck issues younger than ever, due to their constant position sitting in front of a computer screen or hunched over a phone. With regular chiropractic care you can improve this posture and stand taller and stronger.” More Information
May help with other conditions
The benefits of Chiropractic care can extend to all sorts of conditions, such as: fibromyalgia, fertility issues, headaches or migraines, ear infection, menstrual disorders, gastrointestinal syndromes, colic, multiple sclerosis, and asthma just to name a few. Chiropractic care can even provides options for cancer patients!
The Cancer Treatment Centers of America note “Cancer and treatments for cancer can cause stress on the musculoskeletal system. Some cancer patients experience peripheral neuropathy, aches and pains in the neck and/or back, muscle tension, headaches, or difficulty walking. Chiropractic care can help to reduce stress and increase mobility, flexibility, strength and function, as well as help improve overall well-being.”
Improved Mental Health
There is a clear connection between the messages a brain receives and the health of the body, so it stands to reason that chiropractic treatments have benefits in the area of mental health. The health of the nervous system is intrinsically tied to the health of the brain. Studies have proven that depression occurs at a rate of three to four times higher in those with chronic pain when compared to their healthier peers. The cycle of chronic pain and depression can continue on and on unless it is broken. Regular chiropractic adjustments have proven to decrease pain, depression and anxiety and allow for a healthier (mentally and physically) existence. Additionally, by working towards understanding and treating the root causes of pain instead of simply treating the sensation of pain, chiropractors may uncover valuable keys to the treatment of anxiety, another condition that is often associated with chronic pain. For example, patients who suffer from anxiety disorders may also suffer from migraines and jaw and neck pain. This may be a direct result of the tension caused by patients who are hunched over in a “protective” stance. Chiropractic care combined with an understanding of the anxiety disorder can help a patient recognize the signs of tension and stress, and realigning the spine can help the body support itself in a healthier way. By adjusting the spine, the front of the chest opens up, and the patient may feel a new sense of confidence and less anxiety. Chiropractic adjustments might also improve hormone balance, including the hormones involved in mood. More Information
Increased Energy Levels
People who get chiropractic care often report more energy. Of course, the improved moods, sleep, and immune system probably help.
Improved Sleep
Chiropractic has been shown to improve sleep, both in children and adults.” In one study 98% of the participants recorded improved sleep results with chiropractic care. [44]
Lower Blood Pressure
An abundance of evidence has shown a relationship between the upper neck vertebrae and the body's natural blood pressure control reflexes. Chiropractic adjustments to the upper neck can lower both systolic and diastolic blood pressure significantly. Chiropractic treatment effect appears greatest in people with higher blood pressure![45,46]
Increased Immunity
Several research studies have demonstrate that spinal manipulation may influence the immune system's response to various stimuli. More Information
Holistic Treatment
Chiropractors
focus on the body as a whole, rather than simply focusing on the spine or neck. Corrective exercises to augment healing, workplace and home recommendations, soft tissue treatment are just a few of the supplemental treatments that may be used to help relieve pain.
It Works!
Chiropractic is the largest, most regulated, and best recognized of the complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) professions. CAM patient surveys show that chiropractors are used more often than any other alternative provider group and patient satisfaction with chiropractic care is very high. There is steadily increasing patient use of chiropractic in the United States, which has tripled in the past two decade. [56] It is estimated that chiropractors treat more than 35 million Americans (adults and children) annually. [47]
In 2017, the American College of Physicians released updated low back pain guidelines that recommend first using non-drug treatments, such as spinal manipulation, for acute and chronic low back pain. [48] Similarly, a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association in 2017 supports the use of spinal manipulative therapy as a first line treatment for acute low back pain.[49]
In a Gallup-Palmer College of Chiropractic Annual Report: 95% of past-year chiropractic users say it's effective, and 97% of past-year chiropractic users are likely to see a chiropractor if they have neck/back pain.[47] In a consumer survey, chiropractic outperformed all other back pain treatments, including prescription medication, deep-tissue massage, yoga, pilates, and over-the-counter medication therapies.[50]
Chiropractors are the highest rated healthcare practitioner for low-back pain treatments above physical therapists (PTs), specialist physician/MD (i.e., neurosurgeons, neurologists, orthopaedic surgeons), and primary care physician/MD (i.e., family or internal medicine). [51]
With prescription pain drug abuse now classified as an epidemic[52] in the United States and the number of spinal fusions soaring 500% over the last decade, [53] the essential services provided by chiropractors represent a primary care approach for the prevention, diagnosis and conservative management of back pain and spinal disorders that can often enable patients to reduce or avoid the need for these riskier treatments.
Chiropractors' collaborative, whole person-centered approach reflects the changing realities of health care delivery and fits well into Accountable Care Organization (ACO) and patient-centered, medical home (PCMH) models bringing greater clinical efficiency, patient satisfaction and cost savings.[54]
In 2015, the Joint Commission, the organization that accredits more than 20,000 health care systems in the U.S. (including every major hospital), recognized the value of non-drug approaches by adding chiropractic to its pain management standard. [55]
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[47] Gallup-Palmer College of Chiropractic Annual Report: Americans' Perceptions of Chiropractic. Gallup and Palmer College of Chiropractic. http://bit.ly/2jrr7TG
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[b] Cassidy D, et al. Risk of Vertebrobasilar Stroke and Chiropractic Care. Spine 2008; 33:S176–S183.
[c] Haldeman S, et al. Arterial dissection following cervical manipulation: a chiropractic experience. Can Med Assoc J 2001;165(7):905-06.
[e] Lauretti W. The Comparative Safety of Chiropractic. In Daniel Redwood, ed., Contemporary Chiropractic. New York: Churchill Livingstone, 1997, p. 230-8.
2. Keeney BJ, et al. Early predictors of lumbar spine surgery after occupational back injury: results from a prospective study of workers in Washington State. Spine 2013 May 15;38(11):953-64.
3. Cassidy D, et al. Risk of Vertebrobasilar Stroke and Chiropractic Care. Spine 2008; 33:S176–S183.
4. Haldeman S, et al. Arterial dissection following cervical manipulation: a chiropractic experience. Can Med Assoc J 2001;165(7):905-06.
5. Lanas A, et al. A nationwide study of mortality associated with hospital admission due to severe gastrointestinal events and those associated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug use. Am J Gastroenterol 2005;100:1685–1693.
6. Lauretti W. The Comparative Safety of Chiropractic. In Daniel Redwood, ed., Contemporary Chiropractic. New York: Churchill Livingstone, 1997, p. 230-8.
[6] Treatment-Related Aggravations, Complications and Improvements Attributed to Chiropractic Spinal Manipulative Therapy of Pediatric Patients: A Practice-Based Survey of Practitioners
[7] Treatment-Related Aggravations, Complications and Improvements Attributed to Chiropractic Spinal Manipulative Therapy of Pediatric Patients: A Survey of Parents
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[18] Journal of Nature magazine - “Molecular Psychiatry"
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18 Stude, D.E. The management of symptoms associated with premenstrual syndrome. JMPT, 1991, 14, pp.209-216
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20 Volejnikova and Krupicka (1992) in the journal Manuelle Medizin
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27 The Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics July/August 2002
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[B] Keeney BJ, et al. Early predictors of lumbar spine surgery after occupational back injury: results from a prospective study of workers in Washington State. Spine 2013 May 15;38(11):953-64.