Chiropractors are physicians that specialize in treating disorders of the musculoskeletal system. They are referred to as chiropractors, doctors of chiropractic and chiropractic physicians. Depending on which educational institution they graduated from, the style in which they practice will vary. There is a distinctive ideology divide within the profession that stems from different teachings about the role of chiropractic within the medical community. Some chiropractors believe that chiropractic manipulations are the only necessary treatment for the improvement of all bodily ailments. They attribute all forms of dysfunction as the end result of subluxations of the spine. They believe that when a subluxation has been corrected with spinal manipulation, the specific health issues will resolve. This form of chiropractic is based upon the belief that subluxations in the spine lead to dysfunction of the nervous system which in turn will cause health problems. The other type of chiropractic physician practices as an evidence-based physician. They will refer to other specialties when necessary and offer services such as physical therapy exercises, rehabilitative programs and nutritional counseling. This type of chiropractor generally works within a group of other physicians or other providers. Depending on what type of  chiropractor you feel most comfortable with, it is important to research the chiropractic physicians in your area to find out who you feel will be the best able to help with your specific health care needs.

Initial Chiropractic Consultation

An initial chiropractic consultation will begin with filling out an intake form, detailing your past and current medical history. A discussion with the chiropractor about any health issues will better enable them to create a treatment plan if it is decided that chiropractic care is indicated and appropriate. Following the discussion of the health history, a physical examination will be performed to help reach an accurate diagnosis. Diagnostic imaging may be necessary for some patients. After the health history and physical exam are completed, the following care you receive will vary at this point depending on what type of chiropractor you have chosen. It is generally advised to avoid a chiropractor that recommends a high number of visits and requires a patient to sign forms agreeing to the high amount of visits and possibly requiring payment in advance for treatment. As with any health care practitioner, if treatment is providing no improvement or if symptoms are worsening, speak to the doctor to discuss other forms of treatment that may be more beneficial.

References Cited in this Article

www.bls.gov

The temporomandibular joint connects the mandible (lower jaw) to the temporal bone of the skull located in front of the ear. This joint is present on both sides of the face and these two joints allow the jaw to move. Any dysfunction to these joints can lead to pain in the head, neck, facial muscles and ears. The inability to fully open the mouth may also occur as well as a clicking sound when the jaw moves and the jaw may also lock in position when open, which would indicate that the joint is dislocated. The TMJ consists of muscles, bones, nerves and blood vessels. Some of the muscles associated with the TMJ are also referred to as the muscles of mastication, meaning the muscles that allow movement for chewing. These muscles enable the jaw to open and close and the TMJ also works to provide movement that includes rotation and a hinge action, allowing the mouth to open and close and to open wider, such as is necessary during a yawn. Dysfunction that occurs to this joint is referred to as TMJ syndrome. This syndrome can be caused by injury to the joint, wear and tear as we age or improper habits such as grinding or clenching of the teeth.

Myofascial Release Techniques

It is important to seek treatment for TMJ syndrome when symptoms first present. Early symptoms are the same as later symptoms, just less intense. Early treatment will help to avoid any episodes of the jaw locking or severe pain throughout the face, ears and neck. A physical examination will be performed and the jaw will be examined, the physician noting any pain or tenderness and the range of motion of the joint. Imaging may be utilized but is not always necessary. Conservative care is normally adequate for treatment as the symptoms of TMJ syndrome do not usually last for long periods of time. Applying warm packs to the joint will help to alleviate pain and icing the area will help if there is any inflammation present. Chiropractic care generally focuses on trigger points within the muscles associated with the TMJ. Trigger points within the medial pterygoid muscle can cause pain in the face, the TMJ, ears, nose and neck. Myofascial release techniques such as stripping of the muscle and compression to the trigger points can be done to relieve tension and reduce pain. These techniques are rather painful but work well to alleviate symptoms of TMJ syndrome. Chiropractic care may also include joint mobilization with the use of the activator method. This method utilizes a small activator tool that is capable of delivering a low-impact, high frequency adjustment to small areas of the body, such as the TMJ. If grinding or clenching of the teeth is an issue, night guards can help to prevent these habits during sleep.

References Cited in this Article

www.emedicinehealth.com

www.altmd.com

What is TMJ?  TMJ stands for Temporal-Mandibular Joint Disorder.  TMJD can be caused from trauma, disease, general wear and tear due to the aging process, and habits like chewing gum or motions with the mouth.  Trauma may be divided into two types such as micro-trauma and macro-trauma.  Micro-trauma is like teeth-grinding or clenching.  Macro-trauma would be described as a blow to the face in which the jaw is contacted.  This can break the jaw or even damage this disc (joint).  This area connects the lower jaw to the skull and allows for the jaw to open and close.  Two conditions which can affect the TMJ and cause significant pain and discomfort include both Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis. 

Symptoms

TMJ Disorder is a general term clustering many different types of symptoms a patient may experience including but not limited to: locking of the jaw, clicking of the jaw, earaches, ringing in the ears, hearing loss, permanent speech abnormalities, toothache or loss, facial pain, and headaches.  Things you may notice are the following: pain on one side of the face, difficulty opening the mouth, your bite may feel off, you may feel dizziness, nausea, or even experience vomiting. 

Treatment

There are many treatment options available to TMJ sufferers and they include the following: Arthocentesis which is considered a non-invasive procedure by some which lasts about fifteen minutes in which the doctor drains the fluid that accumulated in the joint, Arthoplasty (surgery) may include repositioning of the disk itself, discectomy or removal of the disc, and joint replacement.  Some conservative treatments include the following: massage therapy, acupuncture, and Chiropractic care.  Massage therapists will work the facial muscles, and Chiropractors will re-position the joint itself either manually or with a specialized instrument.  Another effective treatment includes wearing a mouth-guard at night while sleeping.  This allows the mouth-guard to take the shock of the bruxism, or grinding.  These may be custom-fitted at dentist offices or basic mouth-guards may be sold at retail chains for a much-reduced fee and sell for around twenty dollars.  However, these mouth-guards require boiling in hot water prior to fitting them yourself.  Both are extremely effective in the treatment and management of TMJ Disorder. 

www.mayoclinic.com

www.emedicine.health.com

Activator Method

The activator method is a low force technique performed on the skeletal structure and used in chiropractic, neurological and orthopedic career fields.  This method has been around for 35 years and has grown to be the most common low force chiropractic technique.  The adjusting tool is used to restore balance while keeping the patient comfortable.  During treatment, the chiropractor will use a spring loaded tool to deliver impulses that correct problems in the spinal segment.  Patients who choose this method want force correction without the ‘hand thrust’ typically performed during chiropractic manipulation.  The instrument, small enough to fit in the hands, was designed to produce light and fast thrusts without causing discomfort.  The tool delivers the thrust so quickly that the body doesn’t have time to resist the adjustment, whereas the body may tense up during a spinal manipulation.  In other words, the tool is able to deliver the force that’s needed to adjust the joint in an effective and gentle motion.  This method is accurate and light, therefore it is suitable for everyone including children, babies, seniors, and pregnant women. 

 Spinal Manipulation

Spinal manipulation is a chiropractic technique used to correct subluxations found along the spine.  During a treatment session, the chiropractor will place pressure with his/her palms to the patient’s areas that are not aligned properly.  This quick and forceful motion will place the subluxation back into its proper positioning and restore the spine so it can move freely.  It also improves the spines range of motion.  Spinal manipulation is not as gentle as the activator method and patients will probably here a ‘popping’ noise.  The ‘popping’ noise does not mean it is painful.  The pop sound is tiny pockets of gas being released, which is completely normal for every patient.  Patients who are tense may feel a slight discomfort, but overall the session should be completely free of pain.  As treatment continues over several weeks, the ‘popping’ noise may decrease.  This doesn’t mean that the treatment is no longer effective, but instead it means the treatment is working and returning the vertebrae back to normal.  There are many different ways to do a spinal adjustment and each chiropractor tends to do it differently than the other.  Some may ask their patients to sit up, while others will ask them to lie down.  Some chiropractors may use stationary tables and others will use movable tables, it just depends on the chiropractor’s preferences.  

If only a horse could talk like Mr. Ed, horse trainers and owners would be able to know immediately when a horse is experiencing pain and discomfort. Although they are not able to speak, symptoms of pain and dysfunction are usually evident in horses. While a horse chiropractor is not a replacement for a veterinarian, they can offer beneficial treatment for horses that have gait problems, muscle spasms, arthritis, nerve damage, difficulty with certain movements and more. Horses that are experiencing pain or discomfort with muscle spasms or arthritis will typically exhibit changes in their gait and posture. This pain can also cause a horse to display more irritability, to become more sensitive to touch and their level of performance may be affected negatively. Misalignments in the spine of a horse can lead to muscle stiffness, loss of flexibility and even muscular atrophy. Chiropractic care has been shown to successfully manage these health problems effectively.

Evaluation of the Horse

It is important to seek medical care from a veterinarian initially, to rule out any serious or life-threatening conditions that may be present. If chiropractic care is indicated for the horse, a chiropractic physician will begin with an evaluation of the horse by taking a history. This history is to determine past veterinary care and previous health problems, if any. The evaluation will also include analysis of the posture and gait of the horse as well as palpating the spine, joints and muscles of the horse while at rest and in motion. Once the history and evaluation have been completed, the chiropractor will perform an adjustment at the level of the spine where problems are present. This adjustment is performed with a low force, high velocity hand thrust to a specific spinal joint in an intended direction. The amount of continued chiropractic adjustments that are needed to resolve a health issue with a horse is directly dependent on the severity and longevity of the problem as well as the age and physical condition of the horse. Younger horses with little to no health problems will require a smaller amount of chiropractic treatments to resolve their issues. Older horses or those with more complicated health issues may need to receive care for an extended period of time. Some horses have musculoskeletal problems that will never fully resolve but that can be improved with the help of chiropractic care.

References Cited in this Article

www.avcadoctors.com

www.eec-equine-therapy.

An equine chiropractor is a chiropractic physician who has been educationally trained to perform manual chiropractic care on horses. Chiropractors who have a desire to provide treatment for animals are required to become certified with the ACCC (Animal Chiropractic Certification Commission). This commission is a part of the AVCA (American Veterinary Chiropractic Association). This association and commission were put in place to require chiropractic physicians be properly educated and knowledgeable when dealing with the health and welfare of animals. Most often, chiropractic physicians certified in animal care work closely with local veterinary clinics. Veterinarians may choose to refer certain patients to a chiropractor when an owner inquires about conservative treatment options for their pet. As with human patients, if an underlying health problem is detected and chiropractic care is not indicated, the doctor will not refer the animal for chiropractic care.

Complex and Prone to Injury

Horses have a spinal column that is complex and prone to injury in some areas. Obviously, the length of their spinal column is a great deal longer than that of a human spine. The spinal column of a horse consists of over 170 joints. This includes 2 sacroiliac joints, 36 costovertebral joints, 36 costotransverse joints, 6 to 8 intertransverse joints, 1 joint of the dens, 64 zygapophyseal joints and 30 intervertebral discs. This complex spinal column allows for movements like arching the back, moving the head and allowing the horse to laterally flex. Flexion-extension, lateral flexion and axial rotation are movements that a horse’s spinal column can perform. Because the spinal column of a horse is different compared to human anatomy, understanding the form and function of this spinal structure is important. A chiropractic physician that is certified to care for horses will be mindful of the relationship between the joints, the nerve supply to various segments of the spine, understand the muscle attachments and how they control the movements for the horse and they will be able to distinguish between proper and improper ranges of motion. Consultation with a chiropractic physician will begin with a history and physical examination of the horse. This exam will include gait and posture analysis, neurological and orthopedic examination and palpation of the spinal column both while the horse is at rest and in motion. Chiropractic manipulation for horses has been shown to provide neck and back pain relief in horses. It is also an effective tool when treating such issues as nerve damage and arthritis.

References Cited in this Article

www.equinenaturaltherapy.com

www.animalchiro.com

If chiropractic care can be beneficial for man, shouldn’t it likewise be beneficial for man’s best friend? Dogs typically lead very physically active lives, and just like humans, they can suffer from musculoskeletal disorders such as degenerative arthritis, bone spurs, muscle strains and sprains, muscle spasms, herniated discs and more. As a pet owner or someone who works with animals, there are signs and symptoms when a health problem such as those mentioned is present. Spinal disorders can cause lack of strength in the front legs, an inability to jump, hip pain that may make it difficult for the dog to get into a standing or lying down position and yelping when touched in a specific location. As a rule, seeking care from the animal’s veterinarian is the first step in treatment as the vet can rule out any health problems that may be more serious than just a strained muscle. If no life-threatening health problem is present and chiropractic care is decidedly safe for the dog, this conservative care can be an excellent treatment option to improve their overall health and well-being.

Positive Health Outcomes

Chiropractic care for animals has been shown to offer many positive health outcomes. Most dogs visibly show no anxiety when receiving a spinal adjustment and the adjustments themselves create little to no discomfort. The spinal manipulation is done by hand with a low-force, high velocity thrust to the intended vertebra. In some instances, a chiropractic physician will use a hand instrument to perform the adjustment. Depending on the severity and duration of the animal’s health problem, the number of spinal manipulations needed to restore health will vary. Conservative care treatments like manipulation generally take a little time, conservative care rarely offers a “quick fix”. Dogs that suffer from joint and muscle problems due to advanced age generally benefit from regular spinal manipulations from time to time. When dealing with a musculoskeletal problem, the healing itself can be a process that requires the dog owner to be an active and patient participant. The website avcadoctors.com allows pet owners to search online for an AVCA (American Veterinary Chiropractic Association) certified doctor in each state. A chiropractic physician can also offer other treatment options for animals aside from joint manipulation such as massage therapy, acupuncture and nutritional supplementation. It is always important to observe your dog for any signs and symptoms of health problems and to also note if they are improving during the period of conservative care.

References Cited in this Article

www.organic-pet-digest.com

www.petstyle.com

Chiropractic medicine is a beneficial complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapy. The profession has become more widely embraced by patients and other healthcare providers as a legitimate conservative treatment option for people who suffer from musculoskeletal problems. When a patient chooses a physician for their healthcare needs, they want to make sure that they are choosing the best specialist for their individual health needs. It is difficult to say who the “best” chiropractors are because that opinion is just that, an opinion. Because within the chiropractic profession there are many different forms of care provided, as a patient, it is a personal choice as to who they would like to choose as their chiropractic physician. Chiropractic physicians hold different practice philosophies and employ different techniques when treating their patients. For these reasons, prospective patients who are considering chiropractic care for treatment often times ask their primary care physician or family and friends for recommendations. Doing an online search of chiropractic physicians in an area is a good choice as well. This search will allow the patient to view pictures of the clinic, read about the doctor and their education, to see which forms of care they offer and what types of payment options are available.

Ask Questions

 When looking for an appropriate chiropractic physician to treat individual health needs, a patient should ask questions about the doctor’s treatment style. Are the spinal manipulations low force adjustments? Does the chiropractor use an activator tool more often than a manual adjustment? Is the chiropractic physician well experienced in treating the disorder that you are seeking help for? Does the chiropractor work well with other healthcare providers that you may be referred to? There are several statements that are red flags for a patient if they hear them from the chiropractic physician. If a chiropractor claims to a patient that their spinal manipulations can cure cancer, arthritis or other chronic health conditions, this would be a reason to choose a different chiropractor. Some chiropractors will offer spinal consultations to new patients and then ask them to sign up for prolonged treatment plans that are not medically necessary. These prolonged plans include signing up for 3 chiropractic visits per week for 6 to 12 months followed by 2 visits per week for an additional 6 to 12 months and then once per week for another 6 to 12 months. This would not be the best chiropractic physician choice. Once a patient is educated on the chiropractic profession and the differences between doctors, they will be able to confidently choose a provider that is a good fit for them.

References Cited in this Article

www.spine-health.com

www.consumerresearchcncl.org

An activator is a chiropractic adjusting tool that is used by chiropractic physicians for patients either suffering from osteoporosis, arthritis, general musculoskeletal discomfort or a fear of chiropractic manipulations. It works well with all populations of patients and is especially favorable in adjusting the elderly and in children. The activator tool is a small instrument that fits easily in the palm of your hand. It has a small pogo stick-like appearance. It is spring-loaded, with the tip of the tool placed at the location of the area of the body to be adjusted. Aside from the spine, the activator tool can also be used on the jaw as well as extremity joints such as the knees, ankles and wrists. While some patients prefer the traditional manual adjustment, some patients prefer the activator method for its more gentle, low-force approach to manipulation. The activator is used by nearly 70% of the chiropractic professional population and the technique is taught in almost all chiropractic colleges both in the United States and abroad. Since its invention by Dr. Arlan Fuhr in the 1960’s, the activator has become the most popular adjusting tool in the chiropractic profession.

Leg Lengths

The activator method is employed after an examination of the leg lengths of a patient. The patient will also be examined for any improper body mechanics, joint dysfunction and any potential neurological issues. The concept of the activator is that by applying the gentle mechanical adjustment to the area of the spine needing manipulation, unequal leg length will be improved and any misalignment of the spinal column with be corrected. Some conditions that may benefit from the use of an activator include sciatica, neck and low back pain, whiplash injury, some disc dysfunction, headaches and carpel tunnel pain. Chiropractic physicians who offer activator method services often attend activator method seminars with some seminars allowing a physician to become certified, although these seminars are not required. There have been numerous studies and clinical trials done in regards to the effectiveness and safety of the activator method. While the tool itself and the manipulation it provides appears safe for patients of all ages, there remains a mixed opinion within the chiropractic profession as to whether or not the method is as effective as manual chiropractic adjustments. For a list of chiropractors who have been certified in the activator method, there is a link at www.activator.com to help patients locate a physician near them.

References Cited in this Article

www.wisegeek.com

www.activator.com

www.chiropractor-finder.com

There are many different techniques that a chiropractic physician may offer a patient in treating many different types on structural and muscular problems within the body. One such technique is called the Activator Method. The art of chiropractic’s in regards to using an activator is done by measuring leg length, detecting joint dysfunction in the spine, locating any problems with body mechanics and performing specific neurological tests. Once done, a chiropractor may wish to use an activator for treating any issues that are identified. An activator is a small hand-held low force spring-loaded instrument. It can deliver a low force, gentle adjustment at any point in the body needing manipulation. This tool can be used on adults as well as children, and provides a quick and painless manipulation. Patients suffering from osteoporosis and arthritis are more likely to receive this form of care as it can be gentler in relieving their discomfort.

Activator

The activator method can also be used on extremity joints. There are different schools of thought regarding this treatment, some believe that there is little effect on a patient who receives activator care and still some who believe the results are present and positive in nature. Not all chiropractors use this method, but according to wikipedia.org, it was reported in 2003 that 69.9% of practicing chiropractors offered the activator method in the clinics, with 23.9% of their patients receiving the care. Within chiropractic colleges, the Activator Method course is generally offered as an elective that can be taken by students who wish to eventually offer the service while in practice. If uncertain about this method and its possible effects, contacting a chiropractic physician who offers the service is recommended to learn about additional information about the possible benefits of receiving an activator manipulation.

References Cited in this Article

www.chirobase.org

www.coccyx.org

www.activator.com

www.wikipedia.org