Health Network News

Most people associate licensed Doctors of Chiropractic (or DCs) with treating back pain — and indeed, they are renowned for their effective treatment of precisely that. However, the best chiropractors do much more than ease painful back problems. They also offer preventative treatment and advice that can help prevent future pain and promote better overall health as well.

While drugs alleviate the symptom of the problem (pain), chiropractors focus on treating the problem to give drug free pain relief. Highly trained in methods thought to aid both structural and neurological aspects of the body, DCs perform spinal adjustments that are comfortable for the patient, safe, and also quite effective. Many people who suffer from pain in the back, neck or hips as well as fibromyalgia and even tension headaches have greatly benefitted from the natural treatment and preventative care that chiropractic practitioners provide.

Diagnosing joint dysfunction before it becomes serious is a major focus of many chiropractors. Finding a problem early on can stop more serious injury and pain from happening later. Fatigue and considerable pain can result from a misaligned spine, and this is a problem that almost everyone experiences sooner or later. Often, it is some time after the initial problem before pain is felt. This is why many DCs recommend that patients schedule regular visits for preventative care — to facilitate early detection and treatment of spinal problems before they can further develop.

Lifestyle advice and coaching to help patients improve their wellness and health is another service often provided by DCs. To prevent old injuries from recurring or becoming aggravated, DCs will frequently suggest avoiding or changing certain activities. Office workers, for instance, may have pain related to sitting at the computer too much. A chiropractor who is treating such problems may recommend specific exercises to counteract the effects of computer work. They may also show the patient a different way to position themselves or adjust the chair to improve the support provided. Many DCs will offer additional preventative suggestions to improve health, such as exercise, diet and nutritional supplements.

Those who are thinking about visiting a chiropractor for the first time will be happy to know that the title of Doctor of Chiropractic does not come easily, requiring a four-year doctoral degree. The majority of programs only accept students with a 4-year bachelor’s degree. Students receive extensive training in anatomy, physiology, rehabilitation, nutrition, pathology, and public health. Most chiropractic schools demand 4200 hours of combined lab, classroom, and clinical experience. Those who complete these programs are highly qualified to treat many musculoskeletal problems as well as provide preventative care for many conditions.

The field of chiropractic has been around since 1895, but today it is still gaining in popularity. In a world where natural healing is becoming more and more prevalent, it’s not surprising that people who want a drug-free approach to both treatment of pain and preventative care are turning to chiropractors for a variety of health care needs.