Just out of curiosity, and for a little bit of fun, I asked Google “What are the most googled questions about chiropractic in 2023?”
Some of the questions were expected, as I’d heard them many times before. Some were a little bit surprising, as I may have just taken for granted what people know or don’t know about the profession.
So, for your information (and a little bit for my entertainment), I’ve listed those questions, and my attempts to answer them. Enjoy!
1. Are chiropractors doctors?
Yes. Chiropractors are doctors. Chiropractors are healthcare professionals who focus on the diagnosis and treatment of neuromuscular disorders. The qualifications of a chiropractor typically include: completing a Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.) degree from an accredited chiropractic college or university, which usually takes about four years to complete. Most chiropractic programs require applicants to have completed at least three years of undergraduate education, including courses in biology, chemistry, physics, and psychology.
Chiropractors must be licensed in the jurisdiction where they practice. Licensing requirements vary by state or country but generally include passing the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners (NBCE) exams and fulfilling state-specific requirements. Many jurisdictions require chiropractors to participate in continuing education to maintain their licensure. This helps ensure that they stay up-to-date with advancements in the field.
Fun fact: the word doctor is derived from the Latin verb “docere,” which simply means, to teach. You become a doctor when you receive your doctorate degree, the highest degree awarded by a graduate school or other educational organization. We often think of doctors only in the context of Doctors of Medicine, but you can be a doctor in anything. Being a doctor generally just means you’ve learned enough about a particular subject or field that you can teach it to others.
2. Are chiropractic treatments painful?
No, they shouldn’t be. Although there are risks associated with any form of treatment, side effects from chiropractic treatments are considered rare, and usually mild. Patients can be sore after treatment, similar to the soreness one would experience when they start a new exercise program. When I’m working with patients, I tell them that it’s OK if treatment is uncomfortable, but it should never be painful.
3. Does chiropractic work?
Yes. Chiropractic “works” when it’s applied appropriately to the appropriate conditions. Conditions that may be treated by chiropractors include back pain, neck pain, headaches, joint pain, sciatica, muscle strains and sprains, arthritis, minor sports injuries, pain related to overuse injuries or poor posture, etc…
While chiropractors can provide relief for certain conditions, they are not a substitute for medical care in all situations. Chiropractors often work in conjunction with other healthcare professionals, and patients with serious or progressive conditions may be referred to medical doctors or specialists for further evaluation and treatment.
4. Is chiropractic addicting?
Is it addicting? LOL, no. Do people continue with chiropractic care because it makes them feel better and thus they enjoy a better quality of life? Yes.
5. Is chiropractic safe during pregnancy?
Yes, chiropractic is safe during pregnancy. I can’t speak for all institutions, but most chiropractic programs dedicate time to instructing Doctors on the do’s and dont's of treating pregnant patients. Some doctors get specialized training in prenatal care.
Chiropractic care during pregnancy may help relieve back pain, improve pelvic alignment, and enhance overall comfort. Certain conditions or complications during pregnancy may require caution or modification of chiropractic techniques.
6. What is chiropractic care?
Here’s my elevator speech, and the speech I use with patients new to chiropractic.
Me: Doctors of Chiropractic specialize in the examination, diagnosis, and treatment of neuromusculoskeletal (MSK) disorders. That’s the nerves, muscles, bones, and joints. Basically, the parts of you that make you able to move. When something is not moving the way it’s supposed to, or if it hurts when you move it, that’s when we treat. Although chiropractors can use many different techniques, the treatment that we are best known for is the chiropractic adjustment. The purpose of the adjustment, and all of my treatment, is two-fold, to increase range of motion and decrease pain. So you can move better with less hurt.
7. Does insurance cover chiropractic?
Whether insurance covers chiropractic care will vary depending on the specific insurance plan you have and the terms outlined in the policy. Many health insurance plans provide coverage for chiropractic care, but the extent of coverage can vary. Some plans may cover a certain number of visits per year, while others may cover a percentage of the cost. Insurance plans may have limits on the number of chiropractic visits and may vary based on the type of chiropractic services provided. While adjustments are commonly covered, other services such as massage therapy or acupuncture may have different coverage rules.
It's important that individuals review their specific insurance policy documents or contact their insurance provider directly to understand the details of chiropractic coverage. Additionally, checking with the chosen chiropractor's office to confirm their network status and billing practices can help avoid unexpected out-of-pocket expenses.
8. When was chiropractic founded?
Chiropractic was founded by Daniel David Palmer in 1895. The foundational event took place on September 18, 1895, in Davenport, Iowa, when Palmer performed the first chiropractic adjustment on a man named Harvey Lillard. Palmer believed that he had restored Lillard's hearing through the spinal adjustment, leading to the development of chiropractic as a healthcare discipline. Palmer went on to establish the Palmer School of Chiropractic in 1897 to teach the principles and techniques of chiropractic care. Over time, chiropractic has evolved, and various chiropractic schools and associations have been established to train practitioners and advance the profession.
With that said, there is evidence that spinal manipulation, and other various forms of manual therapy, have been practiced by different civilizations since recorded history began.
9. Can I adjust myself?
It depends on your definition of ‘adjustment.’ Foundations of Chiropractic: Subluxation 2nd Edition states the definition of adjustment as “Any chiropractic therapeutic procedure that utilizes controlled force, leverage, direction, amplitude, and velocity that is directed at specific joints or anatomical regions.” [2]
I think what people are really asking here is “Is it OK to pop my joints?” To which I say, it depends. If you’re going through a slow and controlled range of motion, and your joints happen to “pop,” and there’s no pain associated with that pop, then yes, adjusting yourself is perfectly OK. I have seen people get injured, either themselves or others, when they attempt to recreate the high-velocity techniques that chiropractors use. So, while slow and controlled is OK, some techniques are better left to the trained professionals.
10. Does the adjustment hurt?
See question #2.
11. How long will each appointment take?
The duration of a chiropractic appointment will vary depending on several factors, including the chiropractor's specific approach, the nature of the patient's condition, and the services provided during the appointment. On average, a chiropractic visit typically takes between 15 minutes to 30 minutes, although it can be shorter or longer in some cases. Here are factors that may influence the duration:
The first visit often includes a consultation, health history review, and examination. This initial appointment may take longer than subsequent visits as the chiropractor gathers information about the patient's health. Visits for ongoing care and maintenance may be shorter, as the chiropractor has already established a treatment plan and is monitoring progress.
If the chiropractor develops a treatment plan that includes various therapies, exercises, or additional services, the visit may be longer to accommodate these components. For example, a session focused solely on spinal adjustments may be shorter than one that includes additional therapies like massage, stretching, or rehabilitative exercises.
12. What conditions do you treat?
That depends. Sometimes the conditions that a chiropractor can and cannot treat are determined by the specific state or jurisdiction in which the chiropractor practices. Here’s a useful excerpt from the American Chiropractic Association:
“Q: What conditions do chiropractors treat?
A: Doctors of Chiropractic (DCs) care for patients of all ages, with a variety of health conditions. They are especially well known for their expertise in caring for patients with back pain, neck pain and headaches using their highly skilled manipulations or chiropractic adjustments. DCs also care for patients with a wide range of injuries and disorders of the musculoskeletal system, which includes the muscles, ligaments and joints. These painful conditions may involve or impact the nervous system, which can cause referred pain and dysfunction distant to the region of injury. In addition, chiropractors offer advice to patients on diet, nutrition, exercise, healthy habits, and occupational and lifestyle modification.” [1]
13. What is a subluxation?
Subluxations are what chiropractors are palpating (feeling) for and adjusting.
To put that together I think it’s useful to have these definitions in front of you: Subluxation, palpation, adjustment.
Foundations of Chiropractic: Subluxation 2nd Edition defines a subluxation as: “A motion segment (joint) in which alignment, movement integrity, and/or physiologic function are altered although the contact between the joint surfaces remains intact.” [2]
Palpation: “physical examination in medical diagnosis by pressure of the hand or fingers to the surface of the body especially to determine the condition (as of size or consistency) of an underlying part or organ.” [3]
Adjusting: “Any chiropractic therapeutic procedure that utilizes controlled force, leverage, direction, amplitude, and velocity that is directed at specific joints or anatomical regions.” [2]
Or as my simple self puts it, we’re just feeling for the things that ain’t moving right, and getting them moving, so you can feel better.
14. Is chiropractic treatment ongoing?
This one I’ve definitely answered before, and you can find it in the FAQ section on my website www.DocLevi.com.
Again, I’m assuming the question that is being asked here is really “If I see a chiropractor once, do I have to keep coming back?”
This is a silly question, but a lot of people ask it. The answer is obviously no. It’s your body, and you can utilize chiropractic care as you see fit. With that being said, nobody builds muscle after one workout, or increases their range of motion in a single stretching session, or betters their cardiovascular fitness with just one jog. Making physiological changes takes time and consistent effort. Benefiting from chiropractic care is no different.
According to studies, the recommended number of visits per patient at a chiropractic office is approximately 12. It is similar in a physical therapy office as well. Treatment plans can range from as little as 4, or as many as 24 visits. Treatment plans vary significantly based on your diagnosis, your overall health, and your treatment goals.
Conclusion
So there it is. The most frequently googled questions about chiropractic and my feeble attempt to answer them. I hope this clears up any questions you may have, or at the least doesn’t create any confusion. If you know someone who hasn’t been to a chiropractor, feel free to share this post, as they are likely to have some of these questions.
Till next time!
1. “Chiropractic Frequently Asked Questions.” ACA Today, www.acatoday.org/news-publications/newsroom/chiropractic-frequently-asked-questions/.
2. Gatterman, Meridel I. Foundations of Chiropractic : Subluxation. St. Louis, Missouri., Elsevier Mosby, 2005.
3. “Medical Definition of PALPATION.” Merriam-Webster.com, 2019, www.merriam-webster.com/medical/palpation.
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