Chiropractic is a health care profession that focuses on disorders of the musculoskeletal system and 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 and legs and headaches.
Doctors of Chiropractic (DC’S)-often referred to as Chiropractic Physicians-practice a hands-on drug-free approach to health carethat 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.
DC’s may assess patients through clinical examination, lab 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 is not suitable for the patients condition, or the condition warrants co-management of the patient.
In many cases, such as lower back pain, chiropractic care may be a patients primary method of treatment. When other medical conditions exist, chiropractic services may complement support medical treatment by relieving the neuromusculoskeletal 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 their respective state licensing boards.