Chiropractic

Topic Overview

What is chiropractic?

Chiropractic is a hands-on therapy based on the theory that dislocations in the spine may cause many medical disorders (especially disorders of the nervous system). Chiropractic medicine originated in the late 1800s in the United States.

Chiropractic treatments usually involve adjusting the joints and bones in a person's spine using twisting, pulling, or pushing movements. Some chiropractors use heat, electrical stimulation, or ultrasound to help relax the person's muscles before doing a spinal adjustment.

The primary theory behind chiropractic therapy is to help the body heal itself by correcting dislocation of the joints, particularly the bones of the spine (vertebrae).

What is chiropractic used for?

Research has shown chiropractic therapy to be effective in treating low back pain and to be helpful in treating neck pain and headaches.¹ The effects of chiropractic treatment on nonspinal conditions, such as high blood pressure or ear infections, have not been scientifically proven.

Is chiropractic safe?

Chiropractic treatment is a safe treatment for certain conditions when done by a licensed and experienced chiropractor who correctly diagnoses the problem. But if the diagnosis is incorrect, it may delay appropriate medical treatment. Although very rare, stroke and spinal cord injury have occurred after cervical (neck) manipulation.

Other side effects may include minor pain or discomfort at the point of manipulation, headaches, and fatigue. Most of these effects go away within a day.

If the chiropractor makes an incorrect diagnosis, chiropractic treatment can be harmful. In rare cases, chiropractic treatment can make a herniated or slipped disc worse.

Chiropractic students must have a minimum of 3 years (90 credits) of undergraduate study before applying to a chiropractic college. After completing a 4-year program, the chiropractic student receives a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) degree. Chiropractors are licensed in every state and must pass a four-part examination with the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners.

Always tell your doctor if you are using an alternative therapy or if you are thinking about combining an alternative therapy with your conventional medical treatment. It may not be safe to forgo your conventional medical treatment and rely only on an alternative therapy.

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Author:	Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS	Last Updated June 27, 2007
Medical Review:	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine Marc S. Micozzi, MD, PhD - Policy Institute for Integrative Medicine
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