A chiropractor is a health care professional focused on the
diagnosis and treatment of neuro-muscular disorders, with and emphasis on
treatment through manual adjustment and/or manipulation of the spine.
Most chiropractors seek to reduce pain and improve the
functionality of patients as well as to educate them on how the can account for
the own health exercise, ergonomics and other therapies to treat back pain.
Chiropractic is general categorized as alternative medicine
or complementary medicine.
Chiropractors: fundamental beliefs and goals
Chiropractors focus on the intimate relationship between the
nervous system and spine, and hold true the following beliefs
•
Bio mechanical and structural derangement of the
pine can affect the nervous system
•
For many conditions chiropractic treatment can
restore the structural integrity of the spine, reduce pressure on the sensitive
neurological tissue and consequently improve the health of the individual.
The treatment concept
of chiropractic is to re-establish normal spinal mobility, which in turn
alleviates the irritation to the spinal nerve and or re-establishes altered
reflexes.
Conditions treated
Chiropractors use a variety of non-surgical treatments to
treat patients with certain types of:
•
lower back and leg pain “sciatica”
•
neck pain
•
repetitive stains
•
headaches
•
sports injuries
•
arthritic pain
While primarily focusing on treating neuromusculoskeletal
disorders, chiropractors are not exclusively limited to problems with the
nervous system and musculoskeletal system.
When appropriate, chiropractors refer patients to medical
doctors or other health practitioners for treatment of low back pain. Many
chiropractors have a local referral network or work together with other spine
specialist in a multidisciplinary or multi-specialty spine clinic.
Chiropractic Examination
In many regards, a chiropractic examination is very similar
to standard examination procedures administered by all health care providers.
With that said, how chiropractors examine the structure and function of the
spine and then determine specific chiropractic care from other disciplines.
Chiropractic Exam of lower back pain
An initial chiropractic exam for back pain will typically
have three parts: consultation, case history and physical examination.
Laboratory analysis and x-ray examination may be performed.
Many chiropractors utilize a holistic bio-mechanical concept
of treating the bipedal structure in its entirety, in an attempt to balance the
structure from the feet upward.
•
Chiropractors are typically trained in multiple
methods of assessing lower back pain, including:
evaluation and management services – chiropractors are
trained in examine the joints, bones, muscles and tendons of the spine, head
extremities and other areas of the body with the purpose of noting any
misalignment, tenderness, asymmetry, defects or other problems.
•
Neurologic and other common physical examination
procedures- chiropractors are trained to perform a variety of neurologic test
(nerve root compression/tension, motor strength, coordination, deep tendon and
pathological reflexes, etc) and are skilled in performing orthopedic,
cardiovascular and many other common examinations.
•
Specialized assessment- chiropractors are
trained to assess range of motion, stability, muscle strength, muscle tone and
other assessments with the lower back
•
Common diagnostic studies – chiropractors are
trained in use of diagnostic studies and tools such as radiography (x-rays),
laboratory diagnostics and neurodiagnositics.
