Commonly Asked Questions About Chiropractic

What causes the sound of an adjustment?

Actually, not all chiropractic techniques cause the sound associated with cracking your knuckles. Chiropractic has expanded over the years to include several ways of patient management that do not create sound. However, when chiropractors do create the spinal release, the “crack” is actually gas rushing into to fill the partial vacuum created when the joints were slightly separated.

Is it bad to “crack” your neck or back a lot?

Yes, it could be. If a patient has that desire, it is usually caused by a fixed or jammed vertebra. For those of you who do this, you are probably moving a segment that is already hypermobile. (moving too much). If you have a fixed vertebral segment, the body will compensate by allowing the segments above and below to increase in movement (hypermobile). The body is trying to maintain your current range of motion. You may find temporary relief due to the natural painkillers released after an adjustment, but this will soon disappear and you will have the feeling once again. Chiropractors will adjust that segment that is fixed providing more long-term relief and greater health.

So I’m not adjusting myself?

No, usually the spinal tension has not been corrected.

Do chiropractors have medical degrees?

No, they are doctors of chiropractic. The chiropractic education is very comparable and also very different to the medical education. Please see the specific comparisons elsewhere on this website.

At what age should chiropractic care begin?

The answer is at any age when a spinal misalignment is possible. Some newborns have received treatment, especially after a difficult delivery. Children are constantly falling and bumping into thing that may cause misalignments. Spinal stresses can lead to health problems, many of which most people do not even correlate to the spine. The next time your child develops and ear infection for example, think chiropractic first before another dose of antibiotics.

Do chiropractors work in hospitals?

Ten years ago the answer would be no. Times have changed and it is becoming more difficult to ignore the success of chiropractic. Today, many chiropractors have hospital privileges. It is not uncommon to see a chiropractor, MD and physical therapist working together under one roof. This occurs more often outside the northeastern region of the United States. In other countries, chiropractors are often employed by the county hospital.

Is chiropractic similar to massage?

No. Chiropractors have an education much more extensive entitling them with doctor. We deal with the spinal column, muscles, nervous system and body structure. We use many different methods to treat patients and are able to accept insurance, Medicare, no-fault and worker’s compensation. In addition, all of this is usually with no referral from your PCP. Massage therapists deal with muscle tension, circulation and body fluid drainage. Often times the two work well together.

I’ve heard that when you go once, you become addicted. Is this true?

It is possible to feel less stressed and more energetic due to chiropractic care. This alone should be reason to see your chiropractor for management treatments. In some cases, a few treatments may be needed and then the patient is released from care. Not everyone will need continued treatment. However, it is recommended to visit your chiropractor periodically for spinal check-ups. This is no different than seeing your dentist or primary care physician for check-ups or physicals.

Can I go only once?

Going once is better than never going at all. However, usually a treatment regime is instituted over a few weeks. Most back/neck problems are due to years of minor trauma and postural defaults. It is not reasonable to expect a doctor to fix the problem on one day. If you stop going after the pain has subsided, spine and nerve stress may continue to build up as before. A good comparison is the cancer patient. There was no pain in the beginning. Often there is no pain when a patient is beginning to have the spinal problems. When pain becomes an issue (usually this is when the patient seeks the care of a doctor), the problem has been there for awhile. Pain is often the tip of the iceberg. For obvious reasons, an acute trauma or accident does not pertain to this comparison.

Do I need a referral to see a chiropractor?

With some insurance you may need a referral. Medicare, workers compensation, no fault and most insurance companies cover chiropractic. Chiropractors are well trained diagnosticians and act as a portal of entry into the healthcare system. Many insurances companies now choose chiropractors over medical doctors to do their independent medical examinations. They find chiropractors do a very thorough job with detailed medical reports.

Can chiropractic prevent surgery?

In a lot of cases, the answer is yes. Depending on the type and severity, chiropractic can keep the patient out of the hospital. The good chiropractor will be able to direct you in the right direction if surgery is the only option. Orthopedists, neurologist and osteopaths all do spinal surgery. It is important to receive the right recommendation. Call your local chiropractor for more information on your condition.

Can a person who had surgery see a chiropractor?

Yes. It is unfortunate that many patients that have surgery discover that the symptoms return soon after the surgery. Some studies show 50% of all back surgeries need to be done a second time. Many patients even worsen after surgery. All of this is known as “Failed Back Surgery Syndrome”. Chiropractic may help prevent additional operations, although chiropractic success is lower with the patient who has already had surgery.

I’ve heard bad things about chiropractic. Is it safe?

Chiropractic is one of the safest forms of therapy in the healthcare field. Unfortunately, any mishap by the chiropractor makes the front page. The chance for a mishap with an inappropriate prescription or surgical procedure is far greater than with chiropractic. The research supports this, although you will never hear the American Medical Association mention it. As additional proof, one merely has to compare malpractice rates between chiropractors and other healthcare professionals. Chiropractors’ malpractice premiums are a small fraction of those for medical doctors, especially orthopedists and surgeons.

I’m not sick, should I see a chiropractor?

Yes. Symptoms are a poor way to judge somebody’s health. More often than not, pain surfaces after years of malfunction.

How often should I get a spinal adjustment?

As soon as you develop misalignments. But, as already mentioned, they may be painless. Therefore, make an appointment with your doctor of chiropractic for a spinal check-up.

What is the education of a chiropractor?

How does one become a Doctor of Chiropractic? As with any school of advanced learning, your chiropractor has to take pre-requisites before entering Chiropractic College. Entrance requires a minimum amount of credits in the core sciences and most chiropractors receive a BS before starting their professional classes. Most states, including New York, require the student to have a bachelor’s degree before starting Chiropractic College.

Chiropractic colleges are generally four-year institutions with a one-year of internship in the professional setting. In addition to this internship, students may choose to take an externship and assist field doctors in their offices. The schoolwork itself is done by way of classroom and laboratories.

After graduation, the student must pass national and state licensure examinations. The national exam consists of multiple parts with both written and clinical settings. Each state has their own guidelines and laws, check with your state for further information. The field chiropractor is also required to continue their education with seminars and advanced study. Each state is different, but every state does require some form of continuing education in order for license renewal.

How does Chiropractic compare to medical school?

Chiropractic education has changed considerably over the years. Today’s education does compare to medical school. In fact, hundreds of insurance company’s now ask chiropractors to do independent medical examinations and pre-employment physicals over the medical doctor.

Just as there are similarities, there are also many differences. The sciences and diagnosis are very similar between the schools, but the varying method of treatments is very different. Medical doctors learn the surgery and medicine while the chiropractor trains with manipulation, physical therapy, adjunctive therapies and nutrition. The following chart on this page compares medical and chiropractic education in classroom hours. It was compiled from a review of the curriculum catalogues of 22 medical schools and 11 chiropractic colleges. This does not reflect any specialty training for either profession.
Course
Chiropractic
Medical
540
240
360
165
120
360
320
360
60
60
210
Anatomy
Physiology
Pathology
Chemistry
Microbiology
Diagnosis
Neurology
X-Ray
Psychiatry
Obstetrics
Orthopedics
508
326
401
325
114
324
112
148
144
148
156
3,065
TOTAL CLASS HOURS
2,706


Other Required Subjects
Spinal Adjustments
Pharmacology
Manipulation
Immunology
Advanced Radiology
General Surgery

 
GRAND TOTAL CLASS HOURS
Chiropractic: 4,485
Medical: 4,248

What is Chiropractic Care?

One of the clearest definitions of chiropractic are comes from the American Chiropractic Association:

“Doctors of chiropractic (DCs) assess and manage patients with neuromusculoskeletal disorders and related clinical conditions including, but not limited to, back pain, neck pain, and headaches. When addressing patients’ needs, DCs utilize appropriate diagnostic procedures and conservative therapeutic interventions, with a primary focus on spinal manipulation. As with other healthcare disciplines, chiropractic is committed to accountability and predictability in obtaining measurable outcomes. These would include, but not limited to, pain, physical function, and patient satisfaction.”