Can a Chiropractor Help With Knee Pain? What You Should Know

Every year, millions of people visit a chiropractor for back and neck pain, headaches, and other conditions, yet many of us are curious about the exact nature of the profession and wonder, “what is a chiropractor?” This guide provides a general definition of a chiropractor, a general description of what a chiropractor does, the main chiropractic techniques, what the evidence shows, and how to locate a trustworthy practitioner in your area.

Chiropractor Definition: What Is A Chiropractor?

A chiropractor is a doctor of chiropractic who is educated and licensed to practice the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disorders of the musculoskeletal system and the nervous system with an approach that primarily includes hands-on care, which is most recognized as spinal manipulation. The profession also includes rehabilitative and wellness-based services including exercise, advice on posture and ergonomics, and soft-tissue body work.

In simpler terms, the overall scope of practice and definition of a chiropractor encompasses the relationship and inter-relationship of the joints, nerves, and muscles of the body, and their inter-relationship with the physiology of the human body as a whole. From a historical and etymological perspective, the word itself has been traced to mean “done by hand” and is shortened to “chiro,” and “done by hand.” The Spanish equivalent of a chiropractor is a quiropráctico, and in Italian it is chiroprassi. Searches for “what is a chiro” and “chiro meaning” are all searches for the above information.

What Do Chiropractors Do?

On your first visit, your chiropractor will take a health history and perform a physical examination. This may include an evaluation of your posture and range of motion as well as testing of your reflexes and muscle strength. Chiropractors may refer you for diagnostic imaging, such as an x-ray, or for further evaluation by another health care practitioner.

Some of the treatments you may receive include:

Adjustments: Also known as spinal manipulation. This involves a quick, controlled, low amplitude force to a joint.

Mobilization: A manual therapy where the chiropractor moves joints and/or surrounding tissue in a slower and more subtle manner.

Soft tissue therapy: Includes manipulation and stretching of soft tissue.

Exercise: Strengthening and/or mobility exercises.

Advice: On modifications to your posture and/or movements.

Chiropractors may not be able to address your concern if it’s beyond the limits of their training and education. A good chiropractor will refer you to another healthcare practitioner.

Is a Chiropractor a Doctor?

A chiropractor is a doctor! Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) to be exact. However, they are not medical doctors (MD or DO). Becoming a chiropractor in the US typically takes about 7 years of postsecondary education. It involves obtaining a bachelor’s degree, completing a DC program, passing national board exams, and meeting the requirements of the state to practice.

So when people ask, “Is chiropractor a doctor?” the correct answer is “yes,” a doctor of chiropractic. However, the training and scope of practice for chiropractors is different from physicians, so people want to know where chiropractors fit into the medical profession, and thus the term “Doctors of Chiropractic” is sought after.

Examples of Chiropractic Techniques

There are many different techniques and several practitioners use a combination. Some techniques include:

Diversified technique: uses a high velocity, low amplitude thrust, often with a pop.

Gonstead: uses an analysis of a specific segment to guide adjustment of that segment.

Activator Method: uses a small handheld instrument to deliver a quick impulse.