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Chiropractic Care: Similarities and Differences to Other Medical Care

By Bswan ⋅ September 5, 2008 ⋅  Email This Post ⋅ Post a comment

Chiropractic care is a health care approach which deals with the relationship between the body structure and the body function. While there are a variety of approaches used in treatment, chiropractic care mainly is about performing adjustments to the spine and other parts of the body. This is done with the goal of correcting the spinal alignment in support of the body’s natural healing abilities.

Similarities to Other Medical Care

Chiropractic care has many similarities to other forms of medical care and health care. While there are differences in the methods used, the similarities include the following:

• Practitioners are required, in the US, UK and New Zealand, to earn a Doctor of Chiropractic degree from an accredited institution.
• Side effects and risks involved depend on the type of treatment used.
• People seeking relief from back and neck pain, as well as headaches, visit both chiropractors and medical doctors
• Providing all professionals who deal with your health a complete picture of how you are managing your health is essential.
• Doctors of chiropractic care will take a health history and perform a physical exam.
• Chiropractors use x-rays and other modern methods used by all other physicians.
• Chiropractic care will usually involve follow-up office visits
• Many HMO’s and private insurance companies cover chiropractic care as part of regular medical treatment

Differences to Other Medical Care

While there are many things which practitioners of chiropractic care have in common with medical practitioners, there are at least three distinct differences between the two types of medical practice. Differences of chiropractic care to other care include the following:

• Chiropractic care requires only 90 semester hours (roughly 3 years) of study after obtaining a four year degree as opposed to a MD who is required to study and intern for at least five.
• Chiropractic care deals with a more holistic approach to medicine
• Regulations for chiropractic practice vary with each state as to the ability to perform laboratory tests, dispense supplements, and diagnostic procedures.

Although both chiropractic care and basic medical care have different methods and procedures it is a good idea to check into a doctors back-round and ask questions just as you would a medical doctor or dentist. Such issues as the following should be satisfied before proceeding with treatment:

• Years of practice – are they just out of school
• Level of experience with your type of condition – find out if the doctor has treated other patients with your type of problem
• Level of education – there should be ongoing education
• Referrals and References – there should be no problem getting these
• Issues or complaints against the doctor – a bad doctor is a bad doctor
• How long have they been practicing in this specific location – if it is less than two years find out why.

After satisfying your concerns, get to know your chiropractor just as you would any other doctor or medical professional.

Tags: alternative medicine, chiropractic care, chiropractor, doctor, medical care