What Is a Chiropractor? Understanding Chiropractic Care and Its Benefits
If you’ve ever experienced back pain, neck pain, headaches, or posture-related discomfort, you may have wondered: what is a chiropractor, and how can chiropractic care help? Chiropractors are licensed healthcare professionals who focus on diagnosing and treating conditions related to the spine, nervous system, and musculoskeletal system. Chiropractic is considered a form of alternative medicine and is recognized as a healthcare profession. Chiropractors are licensed healthcare practitioners, referred to as Doctors of Chiropractic (DC).
Chiropractic care is widely recognized as a non-invasive, drug-free approach that aims to improve overall function, mobility, and quality of life by addressing the root causes of pain and discomfort. Chiropractic is focused on the body's ability to self-heal and may include other treatments like nutrition and exercise.
What Is a Chiropractor?
A chiropractor is a healthcare professional trained to evaluate, diagnose, and treat issues affecting the spine and nervous system. Chiropractors believe that proper spinal alignment plays a critical role in how the body functions, especially in how the brain communicates with the rest of the body through the nervous system.
Rather than relying on medication or surgery, chiropractors use hands-on techniques to restore alignment, improve mobility, and support the body’s natural healing processes.
Chiropractic Education and Training
Becoming a chiropractor requires a rigorous educational journey designed to ensure safe, effective, and evidence-based care for patients. Chiropractic education is carefully regulated by organizations such as the American Chiropractic Association (ACA) and the Council on Chiropractic Education (CCE), which set high standards for chiropractic programs across the United States.
Aspiring chiropractors begin with at least 90 semester hours of undergraduate education, often focusing on sciences like biology, anatomy, and physiology. This foundation prepares them for four years of intensive doctoral study at an accredited chiropractic college. During this time, students gain a deep understanding of the musculoskeletal system, nervous system, and the principles of chiropractic care.
The chiropractic curriculum blends classroom learning with hands-on clinical experience. Students master spinal manipulation and chiropractic adjustment techniques, learning how to use controlled force to restore joint mobility and relieve pain. Training also covers a wide range of manual therapies, including soft tissue therapy and joint mobilization, as well as rehabilitative exercises to support recovery and improve range of motion.
Chiropractic education emphasizes a holistic, integrative health approach. Students are introduced to complementary therapies such as massage therapy and acupuncture, and they learn how to collaborate with medical doctors, physical therapists, and other healthcare professionals to provide comprehensive chiropractic services. Nutrition, healthy eating, stress management, and lifestyle advice are also key components, helping future chiropractors support their patients’ general health and well-being.
To become licensed, graduates must pass the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners (NBCE) exam, demonstrating their knowledge and clinical skills. Many states also require chiropractors to pass additional exams administered by their board of chiropractic examiners. Once licensed, chiropractors are committed to lifelong learning, regularly completing continuing education classes to stay current with the latest research, adjustment techniques, and best practices in chiropractic therapy.
What Does a Chiropractor Do?
Chiropractors provide personalized care based on a patient’s symptoms, posture, and overall health. After an initial visit, chiropractors conduct a chiropractic exam, which includes a physical exam to assess posture, muscle strength, joint mobility, and the position of the spine. Common responsibilities include:
- Performing spinal adjustments to correct misalignments
- Evaluating posture and spinal movement
- Identifying nerve interference or restricted joint motion
- Providing soft tissue therapy to reduce muscle tension
- Offering lifestyle and ergonomic recommendations
Chiropractors treat a variety of conditions, especially back and neck pain, using spinal manipulative therapy and other manual techniques to restore joint function.
Chiropractors assess a patient's symptoms and health history before performing adjustments and often provide personalized treatment plans tailored to each patient's condition.
At Ho‘ola Chiropractic, care often focuses on the upper cervical spine, an area closely connected to nervous system function and overall wellness.
Conditions Chiropractors Commonly Treat: Neck Pain and More
Chiropractic care may help manage a wide range of conditions, including:
- Neck pain and stiffness
- Lower back pain
- Headaches and migraines
- Vertigo and balance issues
- Postural imbalances
- Sports and work-related injuries
Chiropractors also treat musculoskeletal pain in various parts of the body, such as the head, jaws, shoulders, elbows, wrists, hips, pelvis, knees, and ankles. They can address conditions like sciatica, arthritis, and muscle stiffness.
Many patients seek chiropractic care for both pain relief and preventative wellness, especially those who spend long hours sitting or working at a desk. Chiropractors treat chronic low back pain and chronic pain, and joint pain is a common reason patients seek chiropractic care.
How Spinal Manipulation and Chiropractic Care Work
Chiropractic care is based on the relationship between the spine and the nervous system. When a spinal joint becomes misaligned or restricted, it may interfere with nerve signaling, leading to pain, tension, or reduced mobility. Chiropractors focus on realigning spinal joints to restore function and relieve pain.
Through gentle spinal adjustments, chiropractors aim to:
- Restore proper joint movement using a technique called spinal manipulation (also known as spinal adjustment), which is a passive manual maneuver to increase a joint's range of motion
- Reduce pressure on irritated nerves
- Improve posture and spinal alignment
- Enhance communication between the brain and body
This whole-body approach supports not only pain relief but also long-term functional health.
Chiropractic adjustments are the most common treatment used in chiropractic care.
Is Chiropractic Care Safe?
Chiropractic care is considered safe for many individuals when performed by a licensed and trained chiropractor. It is commonly used as a complementary therapy, meaning it can work alongside medical care rather than replacing it. Chiropractic care is a well-established practice that is considered safe for most people.
As with any healthcare treatment, some patients may experience mild soreness or stiffness after an adjustment. Chiropractic manipulation is frequently associated with mild to moderate adverse effects, including new or worsening pain or stiffness in the affected region. Serious complications, such as stroke or death, are rare but have been reported, particularly with cervical manipulation. Individuals with severe osteoporosis should avoid chiropractic adjustments due to the risk of fractures or further injury. Individuals with certain medical conditions should consult a healthcare provider before beginning chiropractic care.
Chiropractor vs Medical Doctor: What’s the Difference?
| Chiropractor | Medical Doctor |
|---|---|
| Focuses on spinal and nervous system health | Focuses on diagnosing and treating disease |
| Uses hands-on, non-drug techniques | Often prescribes medication |
| Emphasizes posture and alignment | Emphasizes symptom management |
| Drug-free approach | May include medications or surgery |
Both play important roles in healthcare, and many patients benefit from a combined approach.
While chiropractors often collaborate with primary care physicians, they are generally not considered primary care providers themselves. Chiropractors specialize in neuromusculoskeletal care, whereas primary care physicians provide a broader range of healthcare services.
What to Expect During Your First Chiropractic Visit
During your first visit to a chiropractor, you can typically expect:
- A detailed health and pain history
- Postural and spinal assessment
- Chiropractic exam and physical examination
- Discussion of findings and care recommendations
Chiropractors may also use additional strategies, such as spinal decompression tables or ultrasound, as part of your treatment.
Chiropractic adjustments may involve high-velocity thrusts that can produce an audible release during the procedure. Many patients feel immediate relief after a chiropractic adjustment, though some may experience mild discomfort or fatigue that typically resolves quickly.
Treatment plans are tailored to each patient and may include spinal adjustments, posture guidance, and lifestyle recommendations.
When Should You See a Chiropractor?
You may consider seeing a chiropractor if you:
- Experience recurring neck or back pain
- Suffer from headaches or migraines
- Feel stiff or limited in movement
- Work long hours at a desk
- Prefer non-invasive, drug-free care
Chiropractic care can be helpful for both symptom relief and ongoing spinal wellness.
Chiropractors often combine spinal adjustments with complementary therapies, such as physical therapy, to enhance patient outcomes.
Frequently Asked Questions About Chiropractors
Do chiropractors “crack” bones?
The popping sound sometimes heard during adjustments is caused by gas being released from joints, not bones cracking.
Do chiropractic adjustments hurt?
Most adjustments are gentle and well-tolerated. Some patients feel temporary soreness afterward.
If you feel severe pain or notice severe pain that worsens after an adjustment, seek medical attention promptly.
How many chiropractic sessions will I need?
The number of visits varies depending on your condition, goals, and response to care.
Is chiropractic care covered by insurance?
Coverage depends on your insurance provider and plan. It’s best to verify benefits directly.
Schedule a Chiropractic Consultation
Now that you understand what a chiropractor is and how chiropractic care works, the next step is determining whether it’s right for you. A consultation can help identify spinal issues and develop a personalized care plan tailored to your needs.
Schedule an appointment with Ho‘ola Chiropractic to learn how chiropractic care may support your health and well-being.