Tri-County Spinal Care Centers

The Basics of Chiropractic Care

Chiropractic care was founded in the 1890’s with considerable expansion in the 20th century. Chiropractic doctors (DC’s) obtain their education in the US in programs that are accredited through the Council on Chiropractic Education.

After obtaining an undergraduate degree, chiropractic school takes 4 additional years of graduate and clinical training. There are 18 programs in the US, 2 in Canada, 6 in Australasia, and 5 in Europe. There are an estimated 53,000 chiropractors in the US as of 2006.

The percentage of population that utilizes chiropractic treatment at any given time in the US is about 10-12%. The vast majority who seek chiropractic treatment do so for relief from back and neck pain, most specifically for low back pain. Since chiropractic care often overlaps with physical therapy, patients with extremity pain, including knee, hip, shoulder, elbow, wrist, etc are treated effectively as well.

Satisfaction rates are typically very high for chiropractic care, with a 1998 survey reporting 83% of respondents satisfied or very satisfied with their care. In the US, most states require insurers to cover chiropractic care. Chiropractic treatment is typically covered by most insurance plans. Chiropractic treatment is extremely safe when employed skillfully and appropriately. Many studies show chiropractic care to be more safe than taking asprin.

Systematic reviews of chiropractic treatment have shown effectiveness for back pain. The profession combines aspects from mainstream and alternative medicine. Common patient management involves spinal manipulation and other manual therapies to the joints and soft tissues, rehab and PT exercises, health promotion, electrical modalities (such as interferential treatment), ice, cryotherapy, trigger point therapy, ultrasound, and NonSurgical Spinal Decompression Therapy. Chiropractic treatment overlaps with several other manual therapy professions, including massage therapy, osteopathy, and physical therapy. Spinal manipulation, which some chiropractors term “spinal adjustments” is the most common treatment used in chiropractic care.