Not all chiropractors are alike. Although they go by the same name, chiropractors today differ greatly in technique and philosophy.

The traditional philosophy that chiropractic was based on has never changed, but for social acceptance, some chiropractors have. As a result, when patients go to different chiropractors they get different opinions, treatments and results, not to mention costs. This can be both confusing and frustrating to the patient. If expectations aren't met, patients stop chiropractic care, and never get to experience the great results chiropractic care can give them.

There are basically two types of chiropractors — the musculoskeletal chiropractors who work on symptom relief and the traditional chiropractors who work on subluxation and structural correction. Let’s look at the two types of chiropractors so you can choose one.

Like the typical M.D. this type of chiropractor primarily focuses on relief of symptoms (for example, back pain and headaches). Manipulations are done to the spine to decompress the joints, free fixations and reduce pain. In addition, electro therapies such as diathermy, electro stimulation, tens units and laser acupuncture, are often used. In some of the states of our nation, chiropractors are even trying to "expand their scope of practice" to prescribe drugs.

Length of treatment and frequency of adjustments are usually dictated by the patient's symptoms, or insurance coverage. Degrading treatment schedules like 3 to 2 to 1 per week are often used because that is all insurance will pay for.

The patient may feel better temporarily, but since the spine remains structurally misaligned, it degenerates silently and results in damage and dysfunction to discs, joints, and whatever part of the body the nerve supplies.

The bottom line is treating only symptoms still leaves the cause uncorrected.

This type of chiropractor practices the traditional philosophy of chiropractic, which is subluxation, and structural correction of the spine. Simply put, a subluxation is a misaligned vertebrae, which interferes with the nerve impulses. Nerve impulse is the electrical impulse from the brain that regulates all function of the body and keeps us alive.

Although the traditional chiropractor wants his patients to "feel better," his primary focus is removing the nerve interference (subluxation) and restructuring the spine to its most stable biomechanical position. This is done through a program of adjustments and spinal exercises.

The length of correction and frequency of adjustment is determined by the severity of the patient's subluxations and structural alignment, not symptoms!

Symptoms may be gone long before the spine is at its maximum corrected position so adjustment schedules may be kept intense to allow structural correction in the shortest amount of time.

The patient is then closely monitored by postural patterns, X-rays and computerized tests that monitor subluxations until the subluxations are corrected and the spine is in its proper alignment and function.

By reviewing these before and after studies with the doctor, the patient actually sees the results.

Because of this, the traditional chiropractor will work out fair and equitable payment plans so families can afford care, regardless of insurance coverage.

So remember, when choosing a chiropractor, choose based on your health goals — either temporary relief or maximum correction.

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