What Do Chiropractors Do?

Chiropractors are trained to diagnose specific conditions of the spine and other bone abnormalities

What do Chiropractors do?

Chiropractors undergo a rigorous 4-year training where they receive a general education on anatomy and physiology, chemistry, biology, philosophy, and x-ray studies.  During the first two years of chiropractic school, the curriculum is similar to that of a medical school. After that, chiropractic schools diverge to focus more on the spine, joints, biomechanics, x-ray studies and clinical training in the chiropractic field.  Chiropractors are highly trained in palpating (feeling an area with one's hand) the spine and joints in order to find areas that are not moving the way they should. This area of motion restriction is called subluxation.  A chiropractor is trained to find these subluxations and eliminate them by restoring the movement through manual thrusts called a chiropractic adjustment. These chiropractic adjustments are highly specific and requires years of training to be performed safely and correctly.  Chiropractors can also be licensed to take X-Rays of any part of the body.  Chiropractors are also licensed to perform soft tissue therapy either manually or with physical therapy modalities such as  TENS Unit or therapeutic ultrasound.  One thing chiropractors do is prescribe drugs for this goes against the basic chiropractic philosophy of achieving health without the use of drugs or surgery.