In 1895, Daniel David Palmer founded the study of chiropractic. He believed that many physical problems were rooted in the nervous system and could be treated through spinal adjustments and other forms of hands-on care. Though the profession has developed a lot since then, it remains faithful to his basic philosophy.
When a patient first visits a chiropractic office, the chiropractor asks the patient about his or her medical history and does a physical examination of the problem area. The chiropractor may also take and interpret x-rays, if necessary. With this information, it is possible to diagnose the patient’s problem.
If the problem can be helped with chiropractic care, the chiropractor recommends a course of treatment. This treatment usually involves a combination of hands-on muscle and joint manipulation, soft-tissue massage, exercise, and stretching. Other techniques include ultrasound, electric, water, and heat therapy.
Chiropractors also offer helpful advice on nutrition, exercise, and healthy living. For instance, they may recommend changes in diet or sleeping habits. They do not perform any kind of surgery and cannot prescribe drugs.
With extra study and experience, a chiropractor can specialize in a certain area of chiropractic, such as sports injury, rehabilitation, clinical research, or radiology.
NOC Code: 3122