by Charles Simmins

Created on: November 12, 2009   Last Updated: November 17, 2009

Millions of Americans see a chiropractor on a regular basis. But million more have never experienced chiropractic care and have questions about how it works.

Chiropractic is a natural method of health care, using the manipulation of the spine to relieve pain and restore well-being. Its medicine is base on the theory that subtle distortions in bone and muscle alignment, called subluxations, can impinge nerves affecting the patient's ability to move freely, create pain and tenderness in muscles and interfere with other bodily functions regulated by the nervous system.

Doctors of Chiropractic are specially trained to evaluate and treat spinal conditions. Training in the profession begins with a normal pre-med course load at a four year college. Students then enter post-graduate at an institution such as the New York Chiropractic College (NYCC).

Such colleges serve to educate their students as medical schools do. At the NYCC, students take a minimum of ten 15-week trimesters (three years and four months, total) of full-time resident study, including a clinical internship. At the successful completion of their training, they are awarded a Doctor of Chiropractic degree (DC).

Doctors of Chiropractic are licensed in New York State and in most other states. There are educational requirements, testing, and, of course, a license fee. States may impose continuing education requirements, and requirements to take other types of training such as recognizing and reporting child abuse.

The state also monitors and disciplines licensed chiropractors. Many states have those records available on their official websites. If a patient has any question about the record of a Doctor of Chiropractic, such sites can provide answers. The Federation of Chiropractic Licensing Boards and American Chiropractic Association and its related state associations may also have useful information, and they offer referral services for patients looking for a chiropractor.

Chiropractic treatment begins with a thorough exam. The range of motion for every joint will be examined, as well as any physical complaints that the patient may bring to the exam. The back and spine will be examined in detail, and many Doctors of Chiropractic will order x-rays to ensure that there are no underlying conditions such as fractures or cancer.

When the doctor completes their analysis, he or she will discuss the findings with the patient and lay out a program of treatment. The treatment plan may include dietary changes,

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