Chiropractors are not medical doctors but a type of licensed healthcare professionals. Their treatments are usually safe, but they may not be right for every person.
Chiropractors attend graduate-level health colleges to
In this article, we explore the myths and truths of chiropractic care. We also describe chiropractors’ training, the safety of these treatments, and the research behind the practice.
A common myth is that chiropractors do not undergo extensive training. Chiropractors tend to have 4 years of undergraduate education. They usually complete college with a biology or kinesiology degree.
All jurisdictions in the United States require chiropractors to obtain a doctor of chiropractic degree from a Council on Chiropractic Education (CCE)-accredited college.
Chiropractic program specifics
Divided by year, a chiropractic graduate program usually involves:
- First year: Courses in general anatomy, chiropractic principles, biochemistry, and spinal anatomy.
- Second year: Courses in chiropractic procedures, pathology, clinical orthopedics, imaging interpretation, and research methods.
- Third year: Courses in clinical internships, integrated chiropractic care, pediatrics, dermatology, practice management, and ethics and jurisprudence.
- Fourth year: A clinical internship in which a student studies under a chiropractor and completes rotations in a hospital or veterans’ clinic.
Other studies often accompany those mentioned above. After completing the educational and training requirements, an aspiring chiropractor in the United States will sit for their state licensing board.
Once they have obtained licensure and certification from the board, they will become a doctor of chiropractic.
Chiropractors often receive additional training and certification in a wide variety of specialties, including nutrition, sports medicine, and orthopedic rehabilitation.
Chiropractic care is classed as a complementary therapy. Chiropractors are not medical doctors, but their work is legitimately regulated.
What do chiropractors attempt to heal?
A majority of a chiropractor’s work involves making adjustments to heal:
They may also provide services such as postural testing and analysis, as well as others designed to promote nutrition and healthful exercise.
Does it work?
Research suggests that chiropractic care may relieve various types of acute and chronic pain — including and back pain. However, it is important people work with a licensed doctor to decide if chiropractic therapy is right for them.
For example, a 2020 study found chiropractic care to be marginally more effective in managing lower back pain than traditional physical therapy. A 2019 review also reported that patients with back pain who receive chiropractic care may be less likely to use opioids for pain relief.
People may find chiropractic treatment effective on its own or as part of a traditional treatment program.
Chiropractic treatment may help reduce pain and disability in people with certain acute and chronic conditions, including:
Low back pain
Research on chiropractic therapy suggests it is an effective form of therapy for acute low back pain, which is pain that lasts for a few days or weeks.
Spinal manipulation therapy is associated with modest improvements in pain and function in patients with acute low back pain.
Neck pain
Neck pain is the second most prevalent health complaint reported by people seeking chiropractic care.
Chiropractors
Osteoarthritis
Chiropractic therapy is safe for people with back and neck pain from osteoarthritis, and people sometimes use it as a complementary treatment alongside traditional therapy.
However, doctors should not carry out chiropractic manipulations on actively inflamed joints.
There is little scientific backing for the mechanisms of chiropractic treatment and much research supporting its use relies heavily on self-reported claims. However, people still may find benefit in its utilization.
A 2018 review included 17 years of studies involving spinal manipulation or mobilization. The studies investigated the effects of these treatments on chronic lower back pain, and the authors concluded that the chiropractic methods were likely to reduce pain and improve function.
The American College of Physicians recommends those with lower back pain use a variety of non-pharmacological treatments, including spinal manipulation.
One of the most common sources of contention regarding chiropractic treatments concerns safety.
A person may experience side effects of spinal manipulation, including:
There have been occasional reports of long-term danger related to chiropractic care.
According to the American Chiropractic Association, most discomfort and soreness subsides within 24 hours of spinal manipulation.
It is unsafe for people with certain health conditions to undergo chiropractic manipulation. These conditions include:
- bone disease and infections
- broken bones
- inflamed joints, such as in cases of rheumatoid arthritis
- some circulation problems
- infections of the nervous system
Chiropractors are not medical doctors, and science does not support the practice. While this form of alternative medicine may not benefit everyone, professionals generally consider it to be safe for most people.
