Venn Chiropractic and Wellness Center is a healthcare profession that focuses on disorders of the musculoskeletal and nervous systems and the effects of these disorders on general health. Chiropractors use hands-on spinal manipulation (manipulation) to restore proper spine alignment and other joints.
Many chiropractors believe in Maintenance Care, wherein patients come to their practice for regular adjustments even after they feel better. This is what sets them apart from other medical practitioners.
Chiropractic is a healthcare profession that concentrates on disorders from the musculoskeletal system and the effects of these ailments on the nervous system and overall wellness. Its primary treatment method is manual spine adjustment, called spinal manipulation. This restores proper joint movement, relieves nerve irritation, and increases joint flexibility.
Chiropractors are trained to find the root cause of an injury, not just treat symptoms. For example, a patient with high cholesterol is most likely to receive medication that will lower the numbers, but it doesn’t address what the problem might be in the first place or steps that can be taken for long-term improvement. On the other hand, a chiropractor can find the root cause of neck or back pain, relieve it, and suggest treatment that will help prevent future flare-ups.
To become a Doctor of Chiropractic, students must complete 4 to 5 years of undergraduate college, followed by four or five years of medical school-style classes at a chiropractic school. Among other subjects, chiropractic colleges require extensive study of anatomy, biochemistry, clinical orthopedics, diagnostic imaging interpretation (such as X-rays and MRIs), research methods, pediatrics, and ethics.
After graduation, chiropractors may work in private practice, multidisciplinary settings, or hospitals. They can be team chiropractors for professional sports teams or work for large corporations as part of their health and wellness programs.
Besides spinal adjustment, they are also trained to perform soft tissue therapy like massage and acupuncture, exercise, diet, and lifestyle counseling. Many chiropractors use kinesio taping to ease sprained muscles, joints, and ligaments. They also perform joint bracing and may recommend hot or cold treatment, supplements, shoe inserts, and nutritional support.
Chiropractors take a conservative approach to health care, believing that the least invasive and safest methods should be used before turning to medications or surgery. However, they recognize many conditions for which medication and surgery are appropriate (e.g., appendicitis). The chiropractic philosophy allows the body’s natural healing abilities to be fully utilized. In addition, chiropractors encourage patients to be proactive in their health care by promoting routine wellness visits, much like dentists encourage regular checkups to prevent tooth decay or gum disease.
Chiropractic is a health profession that focuses on disorders of the musculoskeletal system and their effects on general health. Chiropractors are experts in diagnosing and treating these disorders, with an emphasis on manual therapy, especially spinal manipulation or adjustment.
Although chiropractic is sometimes categorized as alternative medicine, it is an established healthcare system that has been well-received and is accepted by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM). Chiropractors are designated physician-level providers in most state and federal Medicare programs and are included under workers’ compensation in all 50 states.
A typical chiropractic consultation evaluates patients using standard medical examination procedures, including history, physical exam, and x-rays. A chiropractor will then determine if spinal joints are misaligned or moving abnormally, a condition known as subluxation. These problems can cause pain, stiffness, and muscle spasms. Successful manipulation of vertebrae can relieve the pressure on spinal nerves and restore normal function.
While chiropractors are not licensed to prescribe medications, they can recommend exercise and dietary changes to support treatment. They also have a wide range of therapeutic techniques at their disposal, such as:
Adjustments: To gently realign the joints to decrease pain and increase motion. Soft-tissue massage: To relax tight muscles and relieve spasms. Joint bracing/taping (Kinesio taping): To support sprained joints or muscles as they heal. Exercises and stretches: To improve flexibility and strength. Nutritional and lifestyle counseling: To help manage pain by reducing inflammation, stress, and poor diet.
Chiropractors use evidence-based practice when assessing and treating their patients. They are trained to evaluate, triage, and differentially diagnose conditions. They also can co-manage with other healthcare professionals when they deem it appropriate. Because of this, chiropractors can treat a broad spectrum of musculoskeletal issues, including back pain, neck pain, joint pain in the arms or legs, and headaches.
The main goal of chiropractic is to alleviate pain and help the body function normally. This is achieved through manual and hands-on spinal manipulation, exercise, lifestyle modification, and other non-invasive treatment methods. It is often used as a complement to the treatments provided by other healthcare providers. For example, if you have back pain, your chiropractor may also recommend massage therapy, a healthy diet, weight loss tips, or stress-reduction techniques.
Doctors of chiropractic (DC) are primary care professionals who focus on diagnosing, treating, and preventing disorders of the musculoskeletal system and their effects on the nervous system and general health. They use manual adjustment and manipulation of the spine to treat patients with back pain, neck pain, headaches, sports injuries, and other musculoskeletal issues.
Chiropractors are trained to identify and correct misalignments in the spine, known as subluxations. This helps reduce the pressure on nerves, benefiting the entire body function at its best. Unlike medical doctors, who usually rely on drugs and surgery for their patient’s health needs, DCs believe that the body has an inherent ability to get well and stay healthy without the need for medication or intervention.
During the first appointment, your chiropractor will examine your body to see how the bones and joints function. Depending on the results of this examination, your chiropractor will devise a plan to alleviate your symptoms. You may need to schedule follow-up visits or additional appointments as you work through your treatment plan.
Your chiropractor will often take x-rays or other lab tests to confirm that your problem results from a misalignment or another issue. Then, they will create a plan of action to treat your condition, typically including spinal manipulation, stretching exercises, or other forms of physical therapy.
The most common reason people visit a chiropractor is for back pain, but they also treat other conditions such as neck pain, fibromyalgia, and migraines. Some research suggests that chiropractic can help with other inflammatory and autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and chronic fatigue syndrome.
Throughout their seven years of higher education, chiropractors are trained to prevent and manage musculoskeletal pain using a non-pharmacological approach. This largely includes spinal manipulation (or adjustments) and other therapies, including cold laser therapy, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), ultrasound, superficial heat treatment, and joint supports such as Kinesio taping. Chiropractors also have training in acupuncture, a traditional Chinese medicine technique that involves inserting small needles into specific points on the body to relieve pain and relax muscles.
Because of this extensive training, chiropractors are experts at identifying the root cause of your pain and treating that underlying condition. As a result, many patients find that they can cut back or even eliminate the use of prescription drugs to treat their symptoms. For instance, if you are experiencing low back pain, research has shown that chiropractic treatment is significantly more effective than just taking NSAIDs to reduce discomfort and inflammation.
Another example is shoulder pain. According to a 2021 study, chiropractic patients with rotator cuff tears were seven times more likely to report improvement in their symptoms than those who only took over-the-counter medication and exercise. In addition, the study showed that those who saw a chiropractor were nearly twice as likely to not need surgery for their condition.
Chiropractors work with their patient’s primary care physicians and health care providers as part of their holistic approach to care. This collaboration allows the doctor to refer patients to a chiropractor if they are experiencing an issue that requires medical attention. This also allows for better coordination of care, which can help reduce medical costs and side effects of overlapping medications.
Many assume chiropractors only deal with neck and back pain, but that’s untrue. They are trained to help patients with all kinds of health issues, including fibromyalgia, allergies, migraines, and depression. The reason is that they focus on ensuring that the nervous system, including the spine, works properly to enable the body to function at its best.