The Quack Report: What Chiropractors Really Do

I am currently in Chiropractic school at National University of Health Sciences. When I tell people I am studying to be a Chiropractor, I will usually get only two types of reactions

1) "Wow! That's so cool. I LOVE my Chiropractor"

      OR

2) "Really??? I went to one of those before and they said I needed to see them every week forever. Those guys are con artists"

Well, I am about ready to clear the air regarding Chiropractors and what we REALLY do. But first, let's talk about what we DON'T do......

What Chiropractors ARE NOT

1) We CAN'T cure cancer (of ANY kind), blindness, Type 1 Diabetes, Hypertension, AIDS, Liver disease, Genetic abnormalities or any major ailment. If you go to a chiropractor that says they can cure a disease with an adjustment. . . . RUN AWAY!!!

2) We DON'T get the same amount of schooling in Social Work or Counseling. If you are seeing a Chiropractor for a psychological disorder be prepared to know that that type of work is NOT in our scope of practice and you should really be seeing someone who has the schooling and knowledge to back that up. At my school, we take ONE class on psychological disorders.. . . go see an expert!

3) You SHOULDN'T be seeing a Chiropractor more than you see your family. If the doc tells you that you need to see them every day for the rest of your life. . . .RUN AWAY!! The doc should be getting you feeling better after a few treatments and then you should only need to see them if something comes up. If you aren't feeling better after a few weeks, the doc needs to reevaluate you and adjust their treatment. You don't see your OB/GYN every day to "check out how things are looking down there" and you shouldn't have to see a Chiropractor every day either. 

4) Chiropractors AREN'T only back doctors. We do WAY more than that. . . . I will discuss that later

What GOOD Chiropractors REALLY do.......

1) We are THE musculo-skeletal experts. This means we are trained in how muscles and joints are supposed to work. We EVALUATE, TEST and TREAT the muscles and joints to figure out what imbalances exist and how to correct those imbalances. 

2) We do WAY MORE than "crack" your spine. If you are going to a doc that ONLY adjusts you a few times and sends you on your way. . .  rethink your choice. Your Chiropractor should evaluate you each time you come in and if they are doing the same adjustments every time without an explanation. . . . you may be taken for a ride. We adjust a joint if it doesn't move correctly and in it's full range of motion. Your doc should be putting you through an evaluation to see if that joint needs to be adjusted. 

3) We do REHABILITATION. I don't know where the lines were blurred and the general public thinks only PTs do rehabilitation. Since we are muscle and joint experts, we understand if you have an injury what is wrong with your biomechanics and how to correct it through corrective exercises and then into strengthening exercises. If you have ever had an ankle sprain and was NOT given proper rehab, you are more likely to re-injure that same ankle. Your chiropractor should be able to get you out of pain and then to rehab that area so your ankle is strong and you won't re-injure it in the future.

4) We do SOFT TISSUE work. In our evaluation, we need to find out if it is a muscle problem that is causing you pain or causing your biomechanics to be off. Some muscles may be too "overactive" or "not working at all". The muscles need to be corrected in order for a joint to move properly. There are various ways to do soft tissue work through manual muscle testing, instrument assisted soft tissue work, Pin and Stretch techniques, manual massage, etc. Your doc should be evaluating your muscles to make sure they are not the problem. 

5)  We have intense training in school. Our program is 3 years long and each trimester we take between 24 - 31 credit hours. We learn everything from: Anatomy, Dissected Cadavers, Micobiology, Muscle Physiology, Neuroanatomy, Neurophysiology, Pathologies, Chest, Abdominal, Extremity and Tumor Radiology, Nutrition, Rehabilitation, First Aid, Botanicals, Psychopathology, Adjusting, etc. Our first year in Chiropractic school is the SAME as in medical school. 

6) We SPECIALIZE. Our profession has various Diplomate programs. These programs are classes we take in addition to our current curriculum. There are a number of different Diplomate programs that include, but not limited to: Neurology, Radiology, Orthopedics, Internal Medicine, Rehabilitation and Sports Science. When you are done with these classes, you present 1 case study and then must endure an oral exam from the Board Members of each designated Diplomate program that usually lasts for several hours. If you pass, you are board certified in your field. I am currently taking the Rehabilitation Diplomate Program. If you are currently seeing a Chiropractor, ask them if they have their diplomate. 

7) We understand LAB REPORTS. We can draw your blood, in certain states, or refer you to a lab. We even understand what those lab values and results mean! There is an Internal Medicine Diplomate. Those Chiropractors know their stuff when it comes to body systems and will be happy to evaluate your lab results and treat you. 

8) We ACTUALLY LIKE our profession. Chiropractors are passionate individuals. We endured the 3 years of chronic stress and schooling, because we have a passion for health. We want to get you feeling better and to properly rehab you, so your body stays injury free. We do like to see you, but we would prefer that you were out enjoying your life pain free. If you are seeing a chiropractor that sets you up on a 500 chiropractic visit plan. . . RUN AWAY!!!! You are getting scammed and those are the docs that give Chiropractic a bad name

So, there you have it! If you are currently seeing a chiropractor and they fit ANY of the red flags, please reevaluate your choices. As with ANY profession, there will always be people looking to take advantage of the general public. Hopefully with the knowledge I have provided, you will be able to make a well educated decision on your current and future Chiropractor.