What Does a Chiropractor Do? Demystifying Chiropractic Care

To someone who has never seen a chiropractor before, understanding chiropractic care can be difficult, or even daunting. This can be a shame, as chiropractic care can benefit so many people who may otherwise avoid this treatment modality. So, in order to peel back the metaphorical curtain, we’re going to dive into what a chiropractor does, how they do it, and when you should see a chiropractor.

What does a chiropractor do?

Summing up what a chiropractor does is no easy feat, given that what they do is so varied. In simple terms, a chiropractor is an allied health professional that focuses on musculoskeletal care. As you can probably guess, musculoskeletal refers to both the muscles and the skeleton. A relatively common misconception is that chiropractors can only treat and work on bones. This however, is untrue. Chiropractors address the body as a whole, and can treat a wide variety of conditions with musculoskeletal symptoms.
As for what they do, in short a chiropractor’s aim is to restore function to the spine, other joints, and muscles. By restoring this function to different parts of the body, this also decreases pain, and can also help increase mobility.

How do they do it?

Chiropractors are trained in several modalities of care, with many undertaking additional courses to further their skill sets. For each chiropractor, their style of practice will be different, and it is best to talk to your current or potential chiropractor to gain a better understanding.

Most chiropractors adjust with a technique called HVLA, which stands for high velocity low amplitude. This technique is what most people think of when thinking of a chiropractic adjustment. While the movement is very quick, there isn’t a lot of force behind it. This action induces movement into a joint that isn’t moving as much or as well as it should.

Other techniques may look different, but they all aim to achieve the same thing. For example, activator technique involves using a small, spring loaded, handheld tool that also aims to induce movement. Different people will respond better to different techniques, and most chiropractors have pieces of different techniques that they use in their daily practice. If you want to know more about a particular technique, the best way to find out is call a chiropractic office, and ask how the chiropractors treat.

What happens in a chiropractic appointment?

In an appointment, several steps are taken before treatment is delivered. The chiropractor will ask you several questions about your pain, including how long you have had it, when it started, and what words you would use to describe the pain. They will also ask you about your previous medical and family history. This helps the chiropractor to build a full picture of the person sitting in front of them.

After all of the questions, the chiropractor will then run you through a series of tests to try and identify what structure is causing the pain. Before every test, the chiropractor will explain what the test will entail, and ask for consent. After each test, the chiropractor will check in to see how the test made you feel - this helps them to narrow down what is causing the problem.

After the tests, the chiropractor will explain what the suspected problem is, and if it is safe for them to do so, they can treat you on your first visit. The chiropractor will treat you with an array of adjustments, and soft tissue work. This sometimes includes muscle releases, assisted stretching, dry needling, and trigger point therapy. Your chiropractor may also send you home with some basic stretches or exercises to help you feel better between appointments.

When should I see a Chiropractor?

People of any age can benefit from chiropractic care! If you have any niggling aches or pain, postural issues, previous injuries, or chronic pain, chiropractic care may be of benefit to you. Care can be altered and catered to fit you and your needs best. If you’re unsure if chiropractic is for you, contact our friendly team of North Brisbane chiropractors and we’d be happy to help.