You’re probably familiar with the idea of visiting a chiropractor after a car crash or for therapies to alleviate back, shoulder, or neck pain. Surprisingly, however, a doctor of chiropractic (DC) is far more than just a back doctor.
A DC has studied many of the same sciences that are studied by medical doctors (MDs), and has the training for leveraging a vast range of both treatment options and diagnostic tools. People can work with chiropractic physicians to obtain nutritional advice, improve their energy, establish effective weight loss plans, and resolve a number of common health concerns.
In fact, in many states, chiropractic physicians can register as primary care physicians. Moreover, after having done so, they can offer general medical care to clients of all needs and ages. They can also:
- Work in wellness institutions and hospitals
- Practice in integrative, multi-disciplinary clinics
- Enter a diverse range of specialty fields
A chiropractic physician can specialize in pediatrics, sports medicine, women’s reproductive or general health, rehabilitation, nutrition, and many other fields. Chiropractors can even specialize in veterinary medicine.
Their knowledge of the body and its anatomy and functioning is right on par with the knowledge that the average medical doctor possesses. The level of training that chiropractors undergo is actually quite impressive. To become a chiropractic physician, a person must complete study at a graduate health college with a focus on treating disorders of the nerves, bones, ligaments and muscles. Most chiropractors have completed no fewer than eight years of training with as many as 4,200 hours in relevant course credits. One of the primary differences between the care received by a chiropractic physician and the care that an MD provides is the fact that chiropractors are focused on leveraging natural wellness techniques.
Chiropractors find ways to improve the how the body and its individual systems perform so that it becomes better at both protecting and healing itself. For instance, if you work with an MD after a slip and fall event or a car accident, you’ll likely be advised to take pain pills and remain on bed rest. Conversely, a chiropractor will take a hands-on approach to correcting the impact-related changes that have occurred within your musculoskeletal system. Moreover, you may be advised to make a number of targeted lifestyle changes, maintain a stretching or strength-building program, and take part in other stress-reducing therapies. With chiropractic care, it’s often possible to avoid invasive surgeries and potentially addictive prescription drugs.
When to See a Chiropractic Physician
Contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to wait until you’re physically injured to work with a chiropractic doctor. Any time that you’re interested in taking a natural and whole-health approach to achieving total wellness, chiropractic services are worth pursuing. Countless athletes work with chiropractors when they’re ready to optimize their performance. Many women work with these doctors to prepare their bodies for childbirth, avoid common forms of pregnancy-related discomfort, and even to improve their likelihood of conceiving.
Chiropractors have helped people lower their blood pressure, improve their posture, achieve nutritional balance, and activate and enhance the performance of their metabolisms. Chiropractic care can be especially effective for anyone with a low-performing immune system and a tendency to frequently get ill. Even when a chiropractic physician has not chosen a specialty focus, this professional can leverage therapies that address issues that lie outside of the musculoskeletal system.
This is largely due to the connection between spinal health and neurological performance. Given that the spine is the medium by which important messages are transmitted between the brain and the nerves, correcting alignment issues is often an effective way to improve various areas of health throughout the body. Correcting spinal subluxations is frequently an effective way to resolve chemical imbalances and mood swings, improve digestion, relieve and prevent recurring headaches, and more. You can even work with a chiropractic physician when dealing with chronic or progressive neurological issues. A chiropractic neurologist is capable of both diagnosing and treating a variety of neurological disorders including Parkinson’s disease, restless leg syndrome, and neuropathy.
This is the professional to see when you’re ready to take a proactive, natural approach to improving your well-being and your life quality. There’s never really a bad time to work with a chiropractor. No matter what your concerns or health goals may be, a chiropractic doctor can provide therapies and recommendations for improving your wellness, alleviating your discomfort, and making your body stronger and more resilient. If you want to find a safe, natural, and effective way to improve the way your body functions and feels, we can help. Call us today at 205-637-1363.
