A chiropractor is going to evaluated then treat a patient. While seeing an individual for the first time, the chiropractor is going to take her or his medical history, do a physical examination and order necessary tests, like an MRI or x-rays. She or he then will create a treatment strategy, which most oftentimes will involve physical manipulations or adjustments of the musculoskeletal system, yet also may involve exercises, massage, or other types of physical therapy. Occasionally the chiropractor runs tests for mineral and vitamin deficiencies and recommends supplements in order to correct all identified imbalances.
At first, the physical manipulation procedures might have to be performed frequently (perhaps a couple of times a week). As your body begins healing, it’ll require fewer adjustments. Part of a chiropractor’s duty includes assessing a patient’s progress and adjust her or his treatment schedule accordingly.
A few chiropractors are more open to recommending or using other types of therapies or medicine than others. Basically, there are two schools of thought within modernized chiropractic care – ‘mixer’ and ‘straight’ chiropractic. Straight chiropractors think that all diseases or illnesses within the body derive from subluxations inside the spine. Mixer chiropractors, who comprise most chiropractors practicing today, see this as merely a single part of the overall picture. These, obviously, include the chiropractors which are more likely to suggest other types of treatment either instead of or as a supplement to chiropractic care. A few chiropractors even directly work with sports medicine specialists or massage therapists.
What’s the difference between a physical therapist and chiropractor?
A chiropractor possesses an expansive diagnostic education, whereby a physical therapist possesses an intervention-based or therapeutic education. Though a chiropractor may offer modality treatments and rehabilitative exercise to a client, her/his primary form of treatment includes spine manipulation.
