are chiropractors real doctors?
98303
YES and no - depending on the state.  They are not an MD, but like any professional medical program (psychologists, pharmacists, etc.) must attend a school specific to their field to earn their doctorate.  The Board of Chiropractic Examiners regulates the practice of chiropractic\nand grants licenses to Chiropractors who meet educational requirements and\npass the state board examination.  The board also requires practitioners to\ncomplete annual postgraduate study for license renewal.  Currently, the \nState of California requires that candidates complete at least two years of\npre-chiropractic education plus 4,400 hours of course work in a recognized\nchiropractic school or have a valid license from another state.\n Chiropractors/Doctors of Chiropractic take patient histories, conduct\nphysical examinations, diagnose and give treatments for illness and injury.\nBecause of the emphasis on the spine and its position, most Chiropractors\nuse x-rays to help locate the source of patients' difficulties and also to\nrule out fractures or disease.\n\nChiropractors treat patients primarily by manual adjustments, especially of\nthe spinal column.  They use different therapies including massage, water,\nlight, ultrasound, electric, cold and heat to aid in the healing of the\nmuscles, joints, and nerves.  They may make dietary and nutritional\nrecommendations, advise on exercise and sleeping habits and also may suggest\nand apply the use of supports such as straps, tapes, bandages, and braces if\ndeemed necessary.\n\nSome Chiropractors specialize in athletic injuries, neurology, orthopedics,\nnutrition, and internal disorders.  Others specialize in taking and\ninterpreting X-rays and other diagnostic images.\n\nChiropractors do not prescribe drugs or perform surgery.  If they discover\nevidence of disease, injury or condition which is outside their scope of\npractice, they must refer the patient to an appropriate health care\nprovider.
610368
chiropractors are not expensive i only pay 25 dollars to see mine. Try a heating pad.
690094
Yes it does work. But, I would go see a traditional Chiropractor first because many times, they can help you and it would save you money. Like I said, go have a consultation with a traditional chiropractor and they'll tell you if they can help or if you need more advanced procedures.
349364
If the chiropractor has not been helping she may need to seek treatment elsewhere.  Chiropractors have helped a lot of people, but so can massage therapists, physical therapists, and alternative treatments like acupuncture.  She should talk to an orthopedic doctor about her options.
1098258
Yes, it's possible.  But chiropractors aren't the ONLY people who can treat you without meds or surgery.  Go see an osteopath who practices OMT, (osteopathic manipulative therapy).  It's sometimes similar to what chiropractors try to do, but DO's have MUCH more education and training in the principles and practical applications of the information.  They are usually much more proficient in the applications.\n\nAfter all, DO's are doctors, whereas chiropractors are not.  No matter what a chiropractor calls themself, they are NOT a doc.\n\nOh, and I have a rib that is constantly "out".  I have a sacral dysfunction that causes me to overcompensate to one side.  That's why my rib goes out so much.  It's on the opposite side of my scaral issue.
15626
There are two kinds of doctors.  Those who think they are god and everyone tells them so and those who know there is a God and marvel at his creation.  You have mostly meet the former.
369578
I have had good results with a chiropractor for neck and back pain. Many people have had great success but you will find many have not and would tell you never. You need to ask around to people you know and find a good one in your area. Like any profession some do not know what they are doing. A good one should require a number of X-rays to make sure they understand your injury/problem. Work on your posture when you play your video games start sitting up properly and in a good chair - I know how kids sit for hours in a slump playing these games, so over years you may have caused this, plus you said that you were in an accident years back. good luck I know how you feel!
1177794
The traditional theories that chiropractors are taught are not based on science. (The theory behind subluxation is dubious, btw.) Some of the adjustments (particularly to the neck) can be downright dangerous. Many chiropractors promote questionable practices, such as the irresponsible use of herbs, so-called energy medicine and homeopathy.\n\nThe treatment that chiro is advisiing is way too long and too expensive. You have very good reason to be skeptical of the advise the chiropractor gave you.\n\nIf you are going to see a chiropractor, look for someone who restricts his or her practice to the treatment of muscular-skeletar problems of the back. If the person promotes anything that seems questionable or New Agey, such as chiropractic treatment as "personal growth", claims that kids need regular chiropractic treatment, tells parents not to vaccinate their kids, sells vitamins, herbal products or medical devices, RUN (and cancel any payment you may have made).\n\nYou might be better off seeing a physiatrist (doctor who specializes in physical medicine and rehabilitation) or a physical therapist. Both of these medical professionals have more extensive training than chiropractors and should be committed to using procedures based on scientiffic knowlege and not pseudoscience.\n\nBefore even considering seeing a chiropractor, READ and STUDY the following web site:
139732
The chiropractic spinal adjustment is a vague entity. I have a chiropractic doctorate but I am abivalent about the value of this  profession. I find so many of my patients coming from other chiropractors with so many odd explanations for and violent methods of care, honestly I am often embarrased to be considered a chiropractor. Still, at it's heart chiropractic is the best model of healing I know of, and I am quite proud of what I do and the results I get. I've saved countless people from pain and spinal surgery, and helped others heal considerable 'incurable' issues. \n\nChiropractic is very unstandardized, so every chiropractor will offer something different. Basically most chiropractors over simplify their practices and model what they do as unblocking the nerves that come out of the spine. This is very rare that a nerve is so blocked or pinched that it is 'squeezed' coming out of the spine. What is really going on is that information the nervous system is picking up and relaying to the brain is getting 'jammed' and lost in the jumble of the body's functions and general stress levels. Most people have bones out of 'alignment' not by way of trauma (like car accidents), but by way of being overwelmed by metabolic stress (ex: too much sugar, not enough minerals, extreme mental stress) and the these 'misalignments' act as temporary 'fuse breakers'. The problem is that after these stresses reduce, the spinal 'fuse' stays switched off and the person maintains a physiology of high level stress no matter what goes on, how they eat, rest, etc.\n\nGood chiropractic spinal adjustments actually increase communication from the periphery into the brain so the brain can then create better signals through the outgoing nervous system. The chiropractors who can do this are like gold, because they not only activate very efficient healing states on a physical level - but they also allow sensations assiciated with food choices, emotional needs, mental ideas and repressed body/mind issues come to full consciousness. As it was explained to be Donald Epstein, in my opinion the greatest living chiropractor, chiropractic began as a 'consciousness delivery system' - not unlike Christian Science.\n\nDonald Epstein has developed 'Network Spinal Analysis' and the chiropractors who study this are the only chiropractors I welcome to adjust my spine.\n\nAnd a word for people who are encouraged to be manipulated or 'adjusted' two or three times a week in high volume models of practice - research suggests there is no value to this kind of over treatment. Network care though (which involves gentle touch at specific spinal points, not forcible cracking, manipulation or so called 'adjustment') delivered two or three times a week has blown the doors off researchers, and if your chiropractor wants to sell you a large multi-visit plan, ask him or her to either prove it's value or offer you Network care.\n\nIf you sufer from pain syndromes of the spine or need car accident rehabillitation, I do recommend you consider chiropractors who offer specialized care in these areas, as chiropractors who combine manipulation and physical therapy are often very effective for chronic pain and accident trauma.
779978
I'm willing to bet the above poster is a medical doctor... it's evident by his obvious ignorance towards chiropractic and what it entails.\n\nFor a start, chiropractors follow exactly the same training as medical doctors for the first half of their training and then instead of going into training for surgery and such, focus on the spine etc.\n\nThe aim of chiropractic is to keep the body in it the best shape possible, which is done by maintenance visits to your chiropractor. You should take care of your body all the time, not just when you are in pain.\n\nIf you walk into your chiropractors office and they ask you how you are, they want you to say great.. because that's how you are supposed to be! They check you, make sure everything is good to go and you're set. What do you think your medical doctor would say if you walked into their office feeling great? "well then what have you come to see me for?"\n Both professions have completely different philosophies, so naturally the chiropractic philosophy is lost on doctors because it is not pain orientated.\n\nWith that said, just like when choosing a doctor... when selecting a chiropractor, you have to make sure you get a good one.\n\nA 12 month program of care seems unusual to me, but that depends on what it entails. Some chiropractors have a 6-8 week intensive care program, and once your spine is in good shape, they switch you to maintenance. That means you go in every 3 weeks for a check-up, unless something happens in that time and you need to go regularly again. The intensive care program costs about 1100 euro (i live in ireland, that is what my program costs) and after that, the maintenace care program is around 500 euro and that covers you for any amount of vists you may need in that time.\n\nAdding those things together and changing them to US dollars would bring about the same price - $3000. If the program I have described sounds similar to what your chiropractor has told you, then it sounds pretty reasonable.\n\nJust make sure your chiropractor has the right qualifications and you have nothing to worry about =)
199959
I would seriously consider going to a chiropractor. you have so many vital bones and your spinl cord in your back. do one thing wrong and bad things could happen.
863448
That's a very very good question in light of the fact that they have\nlittle if any real value to a persons health. AMA doctors today are\nonly expert at their financial portfolios all other requirements they\nmust complete are cover by what they call standards of care,which are dictated prescriptions of their real masters the\ndrug dealers.
71975
Yes, some are.  The problem is that many of them try to practice outside of their profession or abuse their skills.  I work in the medical field and I have a lot of athletes who see chiropractors.  Some want to snap, crack, and pop everything.  Some want to pretend they can treat flu, colds, ear infections, skin disorders and sports medicine related injuries.  Then you have the small majority who just want to do their job.  They serve a purpose, it's just hard to find one that does their job well and understands their role in the medical field.  This is partially because insurance companies don't reimburse for chiropractic care.  They have to get their money from somewhere.
50032
They are both highly educated, but the Chirpractor sure helped me and my dislocated knee a few yrs. back. I sure believe in them.. The average public are very un informed about the Chiropractors, I guess they think all is cured  with a pill, this is not so.They can alein your body and really . you feel so well and good.
4202
Doctors of Chiropractic receive extensive, demanding professional education on par with medical doctors (MDs) and osteopaths (DOs).\nTo receive the doctor of chiropractic degree, candidates must complete extensive undergraduate prerequisites and four years of graduate-level instruction and internship at an accredited chiropractic institution. Comprehensive knowledge of all systems of the body and diagnostic procedures enable the DC to thoroughly evaluate a patient, address disorders relating to the spine and determine the need for referral to another health care provider.\n\nDoctors of Chiropractic are primary health care providers.\nAccording to the Center for Studies in Health Policy, "The DC can provide all three levels of primary care interventions and therefore is a primary care provider, as are MDs and DOs. The doctor of chiropractic is a gatekeeper to the health care system and an independent practitioner who provides primary care services. The DC's office is a direct access portal of entry to the full scope of service."\n\nDoctors of Chiropractic are licensed in all 50 states.\nDCs have been licensed and recognized for many decades in all states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.\n\nChiropractic is recognized by governmental health care programs.\nChiropractic is included in Medicare, Medicaid, Federal Employees Health Care Benefits Programs, Federal Workers' Compensation and all state workers' compensation programs. Chiropractic students are qualified to receive federal student loan assistance and DCs are authorized to be commissioned as health care officers in the U.S. Armed Forces.\n\nThe practice of chiropractic is based on sound scientific principles.\nThe existence of the nervous system as the primary control mechanism of the body is an undisputed scientific fact. Its relationship with the spine is the focus of the practice of chiropractic. The spine develops in utero to provide two primary functions: (1) allow for freedom of movement and (2) house and protect the spinal cord. When the vertebrae of the spine become misaligned through trauma or repetitive injury, two major consequences will result: (1) the range of motion becomes limited and (2) spinal nerves emerging from the spinal cord are compromised. DCs use the term "subluxation" to describe such disruptions. Interruption of nerve flow can eventually lead to pain, disability, and an overall decrease in the quality of life. Conversely, the removal of that interference has been shown to have significant, lasting health benefits. Through the adjustment of the subluxation, the doctor of chiropractic endeavors to restore normal nerve expression. The body is then able to respond appropriately to any imbalance in the system, thus relieving symptoms and restoring health.\n\nDoctors of chiropractic provide effective, low-cost health care for a wide range of conditions.\nStudies conducted according to the highest scientific standards and published by organizations not affiliated in any way with chiropractic institutions or associations continue to show the clinical appropriateness and effectiveness of chiropractic care. One of the most recent, funded by the Ontario Ministry of Health, stated emphatically that:\n\n"On the evidence, particularly the most scientifically valid clinical studies, spinal manipulation applied by chiropractors is shown to be more effective than alternative treatments for low back pain...There would be highly significant cost savings if more management of low back pain was transferred from physician to chiropractors."\n\nThe doctor of chiropractic is an effective source of preventative and wellness care.\nThe anatomical focus of the DC on the human spine has created the perception of the DC as just a "back doctor." Although this perception is not entirely incorrect, it is very much incomplete. Doctors of chiropractic are a highly appropriate resource in matters of work-place safety, st
911879
Some chiropractors are not too bad. They seek to cure rather than get you hooked on regular treatments. Most, however (my opinion) are in it for the money and want you to keep coming back. If you want a permanent cure to spinal problems, you would do better to get a book by Kit Laughlin called "Overcome Neck and Back Pain". He studied chiropractic, yoga, shiatsu, and others. He's come up with a system of stretching exercises which do pretty much everything a chiropractor can do except without the price and having to go into the office. Check it out, it's one of the best books I've ever gotten.
441889
I used to work at a chiropractor and many parents brought their children in for upper respiratory and asthma problems.  I saw first hand children with frequent infections like ear infections and bronchitis be relieved of their infections.  Find a chiro that works with kids/families...get referrals from friends and relatives.  God bless!