Why a Chiropractor for Back Pain?

As a patient, you may be confused by the numerous types of doctors that can specialize in spinal maladies. Each doctor will play a different  part in recovery and your symptoms may dictate which one is appropriate for you.  For general back pain, particularly mid-back, your primary care doctor can be a good start. Based on their examination they may refer you to a Doctor of Chiropractic.

A Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.) specializes in the diagnosing and treatment of back pain and other muscular-skeletal disorders. Lower back pain can be a red flag that causes your primary care doctor to refer you to a Chiropractor. Their expertise extends to the health and well-being of your spine, other areas of your skeletal system, and even your muscular and nervous systems.

Chiropractors receive extensive training in preparation for treating these disorders. A rigorous four-year program focusing on chiropractic care is coupled with a college internship for several years. A multi-tiered National Board must be passed for accreditation as well. Levels one and two are required for all chiropractors, level three for doctors choosing in administer physiologic therapeutics, and level four for state licensing, diagnostic imaging, and case management.

The chiropractic profession accepts that imbalances of the spine can disturb the nervous system. Furthermore they believe that improper shifts in other areas of the skeleton or joints can cause a host of problem symptoms. A chiropractor will perform an examination to determine what the cause of the problem is and how to best treat. Chiropractors are most commonly known for their manual adjustment of the spine but other techniques can be used as well. Ultrasound, heat, water, massage, and light therapies are all tools in the chiropractor's arsenal.