Chiropractic

All About Chiropractic And Back Pain

By Jarrett Kruse

Chiropractic care for back pain has become mainstream medicine and you may be as likely to get a referral to a chiropractor from your back doctor as you are a prescription. Chiropractic care involves manipulating the spine to relieve back pain and increase flexibility. Chiropractic care has millions of devote followers who believe it’s a better option than back pain surgery and have experienced a substantial reduction in back pain under a chiropractor’s care.

Chiropractors manipulate the spine to alleviate pressure, reduce pain, and realign the spine. They often rely on the same diagnostic tools as doctors, including a description of symptoms from their patients and diagnostic tests such as X-rays or testing reflexes. Chiropractors receive intensive training and many patients consider them their primary health care providers when it comes to back injuries. Many people have found chiropractic treatment helpful in reducing pain and improving movement, and chiropractic enthusiasts swear by the treatment. Skeptics, on the other hand, point to studies linking neck manipulations to strokes. If you are considering seeking treatment from a chiropractor, you may want to follow a few simple guidelines:

Go to someone reputable. Get a recommendation from a doctor or other professional. Don’t be lured by chiropractors who offer free introductory visits or discounts. Check out licensing and accreditation in your state—professional chiropractors’ organizations may be able to help, including the Federation of Chiropractic Licensing Boards.
Make sure the diagnostic tests match your symptoms. If you’ve been referred by an MD and already have X-rays, be weary of a chiropractor who insists on a new series.
Beware of a chiropractor who claims to treat ailments other than muscular-skeletal ones. The training and orientation of chiropractics is dealing with the skeleton and spine. If your chiropractor claims to be able to cure mumps, beware.