"Chiropractic care is more than just making the pain disappear. It is about learning, understanding and taking care of your body to improve your quality of life."
Chiropractic is a health care system that holds that the structure
of the body, particularly the spine, affects the function of every
part of the body. Chiropractors try to correct the body's alignment
to relieve pain and improve function and to help the body heal
itself.
While the mainstay of chiropractic is spinal manipulation, chiropractic care now includes a wide variety of other treatments, including manual or manipulative therapies, postural and exercise education, ergonomic training (how to walk, sit, and stand to limit back strain), nutritional consultation, and even ultrasound and laser therapies. In addition, chiropractors today often work in conjunction with primary care doctors, pain experts, and surgeons to treat patients with pain.
Most research on chiropractic has focused on spinal manipulation for back pain. Chiropractic treatment for many other problems—including other musculoskeletal pain, headaches, asthma, carpal tunnel syndrome, and fibromyalgia—has also been studied. A recent review concluded that chiropractic spinal manipulation may be helpful for back pain, migraine, neck pain, and whiplash.
In addition, a chiropractor may advise you about changing your bio-mechanics and posture and suggest other treatments and techniques. The ultimate goal of chiropractic is to help relieve pain and help patients better manage their condition at home.
"Observational
studies found that low back pain patients receiving chiropractic
care, which typically includes spinal manipulation, are more
satisfied than those receiving medical care."
-New England
Journal of Medicine