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Is a Chiropractor a Medical Doctor?
There’s some nuance involved in understanding if a chiropractor is a medical doctor. Chiropractors are considered medical professionals and are doctors in their field. However, they are not medical doctors […]
There’s some nuance involved in understanding if a chiropractor is a medical doctor. Chiropractors are considered medical professionals and are doctors in their field. However, they are not medical doctors (MDs) and do not practice medicine. Instead, chiropractors have earned a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) degree, which allows them to diagnose and treat conditions related to the spine and neuromusculoskeletal system (muscles and nerves).
A DC requires training and education in chiropractic care and is a postgraduate program typically requiring three to four years of study. This includes many subjects that overlap with those of medical doctors, such as physiology and anatomy, while in-depth study focuses on spinal anatomy and neuromusculoskeletal conditions.
Chiropractic Treatments
Chiropractic treatments generally involve manipulation or adjustment of the spine. During a typical chiropractic session, the chiropractor uses their hands or a small instrument to apply brief, controlled force to a spinal joint. The intention is to align the body’s musculoskeletal structure to improve physical function and reduce pain. It’s also common for chiropractors to incorporate other treatments, like heat and ice, electrical stimulation, relaxation techniques, and general fitness advice, into their patient care approach.
Chiropractic Safety and Risks
Like any other medical treatment or procedure, chiropractic care has potential problems and risks. Though generally considered safe, certain individuals may experience side effects like soreness, fatigue, or headaches after a chiropractic adjustment. In very rare cases, a specific type of stroke (vertebral artery dissection) can occur. Discussing your health history and current health status with your chiropractor before starting treatment is essential to ensuring you receive the best and safest care.
Sources
“Why Chiropractors are Doctors and How to Become One”. Cleveland University. https://www.cleveland.edu/why-chiropractors-are-doctors-and-how-to-become-one/
“What are the signs of stroke after a chiropractic adjustment?”. Medical News Today. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/signs-of-stroke-after-chiropractic-adjustment
“Chiropractic adjustment”. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/chiropractic-adjustment/about/pac-20393513
