A chiropractor is a health professional who uses manual manipulation to treat the spine and other joints, relieve pain, and increase their range of movement. acupuncture also uses other techniques such as soft-tissue therapy, exercise, dietary advice, joint bracing, and acupuncture to help patients manage their symptoms. They may refer to other healthcare professionals for imaging or laboratory tests, as required.

Many people see a chiropractor for back pain, but chiropractic treatment can benefit other conditions as well. For example, people who have been in a car accident can experience a wide range of injuries that a chiropractor can diagnose and treat.

Beyond the Spine: Exploring the Many Facets of Chiropractic Wellness

During your first visit, a chiropractor will take a detailed history of your problem and do a physical examination. They will use this information to develop a diagnosis and formulate a treatment plan. Your chiropractor may then order an MRI or other diagnostic imaging tests to help them find the source of your pain.

Manipulation of the spinal vertebrae is a key component of chiropractic care, but chiropractors can also treat a variety of other conditions by manipulating other joints in the body such as those in the ankles, wrists, elbows and shoulders. Chiropractors are trained to perform these procedures safely and effectively.

People of all ages can see a chiropractor, from infants to seniors, to alleviate sporadic pain and improve their posture and mobility. Many people who have been injured in car accidents, for example, seek out chiropractic treatment. Chiropractors can even adjust pregnant women using a technique called the Webster adjustment, which is intended to balance pelvic bones and encourage breech babies to rotate into a more normal position for delivery.