The Road to Good Health

Discover Chiropractic

What is Chiropractic Care?

Chiropractic focuses on
disorders of the
musculoskeletal system
and the nervous system,
and the effects of these
disorders on general
health.

Facts About Chiropractic

Chiropractic was
established in 1895.
All 50 states, the District of
Columbia, Puerto Rico, and
the U.S. Virgin Islands
officially recognize
chiropractic as an
independent health care
profession.
Chiropractic care is
available to members of the
armed forces at more than
40 military bases in the U.S.,
and at nearly 30 veterans
administration medical
facilities.
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Chiropractic care is
provided in such federal
programs as Medicare and
the Federal Employee Health
Benefit Program.
Doctors of Chiropractic
provide care in hospitals
and other multidisciplinary
facilities.
Chiropractic is a covered
benefit in many traditional
insurance policies.
According to some reports,
as many as 87 percent of all
insured Americans have
coverage for chiropractic.

Doctors of Chiropractic
Often referred to as
chiropractors or
chiropractic physicians
Practice a drug-free, handson approach to health care
Undergo rigorous education
At least 4 years of
professional training
following undergrad
4,200 hours of
classroom, laboratory
and clinical experience
State and national exams
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What Conditions Do Doctors of

Chiropractic Treat?
Doctors of Chiropractic most often treat conditions such
as:
Back pain
Neck pain
Pain in the joints of the arms or legs
Headaches
Whiplash
Sports and work-related injuries

Chiropractic: What Research Shows

Numerous studies have shown that chiropractic
treatment is effective and patient-centered.
Acute and chronic chiropractic patients experienced
better outcomes in pain, functional disability, and
patient satisfaction than patients seen by other
health care providers.
- Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, 2005

Chiropractic: What Research Shows

Patients with chronic low-back pain treated by
chiropractors showed greater improvement and
satisfaction at one month than patients treated by
family physicians.
- Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, 2000

Cervical spine manipulation was associated with

significant improvement in headache outcomes in
trials involving patients with neck pain and/or neck
dysfunction and headache.
- Duke Evidence Report, 2001

Chiropractic Treatment Technique

The most common therapeutic procedure performed by
Doctors of Chiropractic is known as spinal
manipulation, or the chiropractic adjustment.

Additional Treatment Techniques

In addition to spinal manipulation, other treatments
include:
therapeutic ultrasound
electrical muscle stimulation
ice and heat
traction
soft-tissue massage
rehabilitative exercises

What to Expect During Your First Visit

Expect a thorough examination that typically
includes:
Patient history
Physical examination
Diagnostic studies (when indicated)
Diagnosis
Chiropractic treatment plan
If your chiropractor determines that your condition would be more
appropriately treated by another health care professional, he or she will
make the proper referral.

With Chiropractic, When Will

I Feel Better?
Many patients feel immediate relief following
chiropractic treatment
For others, it may take two to three weeks before
they achieve substantial progress.
Many factors can affect the healing process.

The Concept of Wellness

Doctors of Chiropractic
believe prevention is
the key to health and
wellness.
Tips to stay well
Exercise regularly
Eat well
Maintain a healthy weight
Reduce stress
Avoid smoking
Get regular health
checkups
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For Good Health Youve Come to the

Right Place
Doctors of
Chiropractic are
trained to recommend
therapeutic and
rehabilitative
exercises, as well as
to provide nutritional,
dietary and lifestyle
counseling.
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Senior Citizens and Chiropractic

For older patients, many of
their ailments are related to
the spine and extremities
Conditions associated with
aging may benefit from
corrective adjustments:
Arthritis, circulatory
disorders, joint stiffness
and pain
Medicare includes coverage
for chiropractic services

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Are There Any Side Effects to Chiropractic?

A very conservative, drug-free, surgery-free approach to
reducing pain and improving mobility.
While any form of health treatment contains a degree of
inherent risk, there are few side effects to chiropractic.
The most common side effect following treatment is mild
soreness (similar to exercise) that may last for 12 to 48
hours.

How Many Americans Seek

Chiropractic Care?
More than 22 million people visited Doctors of
Chiropractic last year for a variety of conditions.
More and more medical doctors are referring their
patients to Doctors of Chiropractic.

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Why are a Record Number of

Americans Seeking Chiropractic
Care?

Chiropractic Works!

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