A Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) often referred to as chiropractors or chiropractic physicians is a medical professional who is trained to diagnose and treat disorders of the spine, muscles, and nervous system. Doctors of Chiropractic use a hands-on approach to health care and treat patients of all ages — infants, children, and adults.
Chiropractors use traditional diagnostic testing methods (such as x-rays, MRI, and lab work) along with spinal and orthopedic examination to find dysfunction within the spine and joints. Chiropractors treat these dysfunctions by a combination of techniques including applied pressure, muscle work, and manual manipulation of the vertebrae and joints (called adjustments). Using these techniques, chiropractors are often able to relieve pressure and irritation on the nerves and restore joint mobility.
The most common therapeutic procedure performed by doctors of chiropractic is known as “spinal manipulation,” also called “chiropractic adjustment.” The purpose of manipulation is to restore joint mobility by manually applying a controlled force into joints that have become restricted in their movement – as a result of a tissue injury. Tissue injury can be caused by a single traumatic event, such as improper lifting of a heavy object, or through repetitive stresses, such as sitting in an awkward position with poor spinal posture for an extended period of time. In either case, injured tissues undergo physical and chemical changes that can cause inflammation, pain, and diminished function for the sufferer. Adjustment of the affected joint and tissues, restores mobility, thereby alleviating pain and muscle tightness, and allowing tissues to heal.
The Chiropractor will have you lie down on a chiropractic table and perform the adjustments by using a quick, shallow thrust into the dysfunctional joint. Sometimes a “pop” is heard. Most patients report a feeling of relief and improved ability to move their body. Chiropractic adjustment rarely causes discomfort. However, patients may sometimes experience mild soreness or aching following treatment (as with some forms of exercise) that usually resolves within 12 to 48 hours. Ice is typically more helpful than heat during the first 2-3 days after an initial treatment.
In acute conditions, an injured body is constantly tightening joints and muscles and guarding against potential future injury. Proper motion of joints and soft tissue is required for proper healing. Repeated treatments prevent tightness, restrictions and improper healing. In chronic condition we have to retrain muscles, ligaments and soft tissue to behave in proper function instead of the habits of dysfunction that have developed. Much like putting braces on teeth, time and repetition is required to have a lasting effect. The goals of a patient’s treatment plan is to restore joint function and joint mobility, increase muscle strength, decrease pain and inflammation, improve flexibility, resume normal daily and recreation activities, and return to work as tolerated.