Seeking a health provider for an individual’s healthcare needs is an important step on the successful road to their recovery. The type of care the individual doctor provides is the most important bit of chiropractor information a prospective patient would need in making their physician choice. Chiropractor information is available online at their clinic websites. Almost all chiropractic physicians have a website and these sites are very helpful in determining whether or not their office and practice style would be a good fit for a patient. Primary care referrals are also helpful because medical doctors will only refer their patients to a chiropractor that is well respected and trusted in a community. The Better Business Bureau and a local Chamber of Commerce will also be able to help a patient locate an appropriate chiropractic physician. Because each chiropractor brings with them different skills and accomplishments and educational certifications, finding a chiropractor that is trained in specific care is important as well. There are chiropractic physicians that have received additional education and certification in pediatric chiropractic care while others have a diplomate in sports chiropractic care.

The Chiropractic Profession

Chiropractic care is a form of conservative therapy that works to treat as well as prevent certain health care problems. This form of treatment focuses on the entire body and the problems it may have with form and with function. Because more patients are looking for conservative treatment options, the chiropractic profession is projected to grow. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of practicing chiropractic physicians present in the United States is expected to increase by 20% in the ten years from 2008 to 2018. According to the World Chiropractic Alliance, roughly 27 million Americans visit a chiropractic physician each year. In general, chiropractic students who will graduate are expected to easily find employment as this number of patient visits is expected to rise. Students who join multidisciplinary groups with a variety of healthcare providers are expected to be more successful. Students will also have the opportunity to find employment within the United States military as it is becoming more common for this government entity to hire chiropractic physicians and staff them in VA hospitals and military base hospitals. The chiropractic profession is growing and integrating more effectively into mainstream medicine. This integration is the most beneficial for patients as it gives them an alternative therapy and more health options that will only improve their health conditions.

References Cited in this Article

www.consumersresearchcncl.org                    www.worldchiropracticalliance.org

www.bls.gov

www.nlm.nih.gov

Salary Range

The salary for a chiropractor practicing in IL averages roughly $40 per hour.  Like many other professions, earnings are generally low in the beginning, but increase as the chiropractor builds experience and a positive reputation in the community.  Typically, chiropractors who work for an employer earn less than those who own their own practice.  Chiropractic salaries are influenced by various components such as geographic location, education, and experience.  The more education and experience the physician has, the more money he/she can make.  In April of 2009, the average salary for a chiropractor was reported at $85,273.  Statistics show that New York is the highest paying state in the chiropractic industry.  In 2007, the national average in New York was $96,664 per year.  There are many different average salaries for the following cities:  Houston, $85,000; Los Angeles, $92,000; Miami, $81,000; and Seattle, $90,000.  States that have more chiropractic schools tend to have higher paid chiropractors.  California has four chiropractic schools, but the state of Florida only has one.  California has the most practicing chiropractors in the nation which makes their salaries slightly higher than other states.

Career Outlook

Chiropractors are viewed as natural healers because they avoid surgery and prescription medications.  Many health-conscious Americans are utilizing chiropractic care as an alternative treatment for neck or back pain.  For this reason, chiropractic careers are expected to increase by 14 percent through 2015.  There are more than 55,000 practicing chiropractors in the U.S. and the profession is expected to expand.  A small number of chiropractors work as college instructors or conduct research at facilities.  As this field grows, it may become harder for some people to find a job, therefore it’s important that chiropractic students advance their education as much as possible.          

Chiropracter Career Outlook

Chiropractic care provides natural healing techniques for adjusting the misalignment of the vertebrae. Chiropracters believe that problems within the spine, nervous, and muscular systems, reduce an individual’s ability to fight disease. Since chiropracters are natural health practitioners, many people are seeking these physicians as an alternative to medications and treatment for injuries.  Chiropracters appeal to health-conscious Americans because they promote healthy lifestyles and don’t conduct operations.  Careers in the chiropractic industry are expected to increase through 2016, making the industry promising for aspiring doctors.    

Education

Chiropracters are required to have a license in all 50 states.  Agreements between different states recognize mutual requirements for licensure, despite each state having different education requirements.  To acquire a license, Chiropractors must complete a 2-year undergraduate degree.  Bachelor’s degrees are required in some states including Florida, Kansas, Montana, Rhode Island, and Wisconsin.  In addition to a bachelor’s degree, various states require a degree from a 4-year accredited chiropractic college. Applicants in a chiropractic institution are also mandated 90 credit hours of undergraduate study. 

There are many different Chiropractors a patient can choose from.  It’s important that the patient do thorough research before choosing an existing Chiropractor in the area.  A patient should first consult with their primary doctor before considering any Chiropractor.  They generally have a good reference of who is creditable and reliable within your area.  Patients can also chose to get a Chiropractic referral from their friends or family within the area.  Referrals are another great way to ensure the Chiropractor is dependable and credible.  A patient can also call in to speak to the Chiropractor before they schedule the appointment.  The Chiropractor may be able to do a quick assessment over the phone and talk with the patient about what methods will be used before they come into the office.   Every Chiropractor is different.  Each Chiropractor will offer different techniques and manipulations within their office.   It’s important to ask questions about what other tools the Chiropractor uses on top of their regular adjustments.  You may need other equipment or techniques to treat your issues.  It’s always important to ask before you schedule your appointment.  Some Chiropractors only use the traditional traction devices with manipulation techniques, while others use other equipment such as moist heat packs and other medical devices.  In house medical devices are also often used to help correct scar tissue damage within the neck or spine.  Many patients that have experienced whiplash may have extreme scar tissue buildup.  The in-house device will help to correct this underlying issue.   Chiropractic care is a great treatment option for someone who is having neck, back or spinal related issues.  Chiropractic care shouldn’t be abused.  It’s important that the patient clarify what ailment they are suffering.  Beware of Chiropractors that forecast yearly treatment plans.  It’s vital that your treatment plan is unique to your issues, and it’s important that it is changed when you start to feel relief. 

A subluxation is known as a misalignment in the vertebrae which can cause a lot of back pain for some people.  Chiropractors complete full examinations to locate a subluxation and will proceed to perform the appropriate chiropractic adjustment.  In order for a chiropractor to fix a misalignment, they must apply pressure to the bone.  The bone will then realign itself in the proper position.  It may take several treatments for the correction to take place because the muscles have a tendency to restore the bone back to its old position. 

Techniques

There are many different techniques a chiropractor can use to perform an adjustment.  Some physicians will ask their patients to lie down, while others will require that patients sit up for treatment.  Some physicians will use movable tables with adjustable head and foot rests, and some will use stationary tables.  Whichever technique the physician chooses to use, it is important to remember that every chiropractor has studied and practiced adjustments very precisely to give the patient the most pain relief possible. 

What to expect

Very few patients feel discomfort from a spinal adjustment because there is little pressure applied and minimal force is used.  Patients may hear a popping sound, but there is no reason to worry.  The popping noises are completely normal and are caused from tiny pockets releasing gas.  The treatment may cause discomfort for patients who are tense, but are typically pain free for most individuals. 

When visiting a Chiropractic office, a variety of treatment options are offered for treatment of middle back pain.  Often, Physical Therapy practices such as electrical stimulation, traction, and Massage Therapy are employed.  Electrical muscle stimulation can be very helpful for conditions that involve muscle pain and/or tension.  During electrical stimulation, cold ice packs are commonly employed to aid in decreasing inflammation. Ultrasound also may be employed to regions of discomfort; ultrasound works by transmitting heat waves that enable healing and decrease pain.  Therapeutic topical creams such as BioFreeze or Sombra are used to prevent friction during Ultrasound treatment.  Massage Therapists often work in Chiropractic offices and are trained in an assortment of Massage Techniques.  Finally, traction is another therapy offered to increase space between vertebra and lessen nerve pain. 

Benefits

Chiropractic adjustments also offer a very effective holistic way of healing middle back pain conditions.  Chiropractic adjustments are applied to regions of the spine that experience misalignments and subluxations.  Nerves emerging from the spine transmit messages to organs and tissues of the body.  A subluxation occurs when bones of the spine impinge on nerves as a result of becoming out of alignment.  By employing Chiropractic adjustments, patients often experience middle back pain relief as well as optimal health and wellness.  Finally, Acupuncture often is employed to various regions of the body to remove pain and further enhance health.[1]

An adjustment is performed by a Doctor of Chiropractic to correct spinal subluxations.  The doctor carefully examines the patient using static and kinetic palpation to determine where restrictions are within the spine.  The doctor then delivers a specific thrust and line of drive to align the vertebra from its improper position.  The body will then be better able to heal itself from within, a process known as our Innate Intelligence. 

Benefits

An adjustment helps to relieve interference, or impingement on nerves, which disrupt proper nerve conduction to organs, ultimately causing pain and disease.  Chiropractors utilize many different techniques to deliver and adjustment and not all techniques are the same or used on all body parts. 

What to expect

Some adjustments require high velocity low amplitude thrusts while others require the opposite.  An adjustment can be performed with the patient many ways: seated, lying face down, lying face up, on their side, or on a specially designed knee-chest table.  There are many different kinds of chiropractic tables, each specifically designed to deliver different types of adjustments with all being perfectly valid and effective.  Adjustments don’t have to be done by hand only, a certain tool known as the activator can also be applied.  This tool applies a lighter force, useful in treating children, geriatrics, or patients with special needs or disease processes.  It’s also extremely effective in treating Temporal-Mandibular Joint Disorder (TMJD), and extremity misalignments. 

The Sound

An adjustment usually causes a popping sound; this is tiny pockets of nitrogen gas being released, which is completely normal.  Will the adjustment hurt?  Some patient’s will experience slight discomfort or pain during or following the adjustment.  This can depend on the severity and complexity of their misalignment and should subside after a few days with the use of ice.

People all know that the chiropractic profession deals with and mainly focuses on disorders of the spine, spinal adjustments and general spine care but among the profession, there are several types of chiropractors, or the three C’s, who each have their own practice style and healthcare techniques.

Straight Chiropractic

The first and oldest type of chiropractor is called a straight chiropractor. A straight chiropractic physician will focus almost entirely on spinal misalignments called subluxations. Straight chiropractors believe that all health problems arise from a misaligned spine, stating that subluxations lead to decreased or impaired nerve function which in turn cause various health issues throughout the body.

Mixing Chiropractor

The next type of chiropractor is called a mixing chiropractor. This is the most common chiropractic healing style. A mixing chiropractic physician, along with spinal manipulation, uses other forms of treatment to complement the adjustment. These treatments can include ultrasound, electric stimulation, soft tissue massage, traction, nutritional counseling and supplements. A mixer will also offer physical therapy and rehabilitation as needed.

Reform Chiropractor

The final type of chiropractor is known as the reform chiropractor. A reform chiropractic physician does not focus on subluxations at all. Their healthcare style is most similar to medical and osteopathic physicians. Reform chiropractors do offer spinal manipulations however most of their care is focused on any health issues related to musculoskeletal disorders.

References Cited in this Article

www.chiropractors.org

www.healthprofs.com

www.holisticonline.com

www.allnaturalhealth.com

Chiropractors undergo rigorous training to become Doctors of Chiropractic.  Prior to attending Chiropractic school, students must complete at least 90 prerequisite credit hours in courses such as Organic Chemistry, Biology, Anatomy, and Physics.  A growing trend in state licensure for Chiropractic suggests that earning a four-year undergraduate Bachelor’s Degree will soon be required before attending Chiropractic school. 

Chiropractic School

Chiropractic school can be completed in three and ½ calendar years; however, the program actually would take five years if it was not year-round.  During Chiropractic school, students are trained in the sciences including Anatomy, Physiology, and Biology as well.  Chiropractic students also receive extensive training in biomechanics as well as a diversity of Chiropractic Techniques. 

Additional Training

Upon graduation from Chiropractic school, Doctors often receive additional training specialization in areas such as Orthopedics, Pediatrics, or even Acupuncture.[1] Chiropractors are experts in dealing with the spine and its influence on the body’s overall health.  Chiropractors also receive training in treatment of the extremities. 

Chiropractic Adjustment

The most common form of care received from Chiropractors involves the adjustment.  An adjustment involves the application of force into an area in which a joint’s movement is restricted.  The movement restriction in the particular region causes nerve interference.  The nerve interference, called a subluxation, affects organs and tissues of the body in a negative manner.  By restoring movement in the spine as well as in joints of the extremities, Chiropractors help to get patients out of pain as well as allow the innate healing capability of the body to exist at its optimal potential.[2]

[2] (2009).  What is chiropractic?  Retrieved July 17, 2009 from www.acatoday.com