When to See a Chiropractor

Neck and back pain are widespread in the U.S., with 80% of Americans experiencing this kind of pain at some point in their lives. At any given time, about a quarter of adults have low back pain and 15% have neck pain. For 16 million people in the U.S. (about 8% of adults), their back pain is chronic and limits their daily activities.

If you’re one of the many people experiencing persistent pain in your neck or back, you may want to schedule an appointment with a chiropractor. Clinical research has shown that adjustments to the spine can be effective in providing relief for people with lower back or neck pain. Major medical associations, such as the American College of Physicians, recommend spinal manipulative therapy as a non-drug treatment option for patients with low back pain.

Spinal manipulative therapy is a technique performed by physical therapists, osteopaths, and chiropractors. Let’s take a closer look at what chiropractic care is, when you might want to see a chiropractor, and tips for finding a chiropractor.

What is Chiropractic Care?

Chiropractors are health professionals who have earned a doctor of chiropractic (DC) degree from a chiropractic school, passed a national exam, and have a state license.

Chiropractic care is based on the principle that if the musculoskeletal system is in proper alignment, the body will be able to heal and function normally without surgery or medications. Chiropractors focus on identifying joint dysfunctions or restrictions that are causing pain and muscle tension, and restoring normal movement to joints to relieve stress.

A number of techniques are used by chiropractors, including:

• Adjustments to bring the spine and joints back into alignment
• Stretching and movement of joints
• Soft tissue therapy to relax muscles and break down scar tissue
• Rehabilitation exercises to stabilize and strengthen joints
• Counseling on ergonomics and posture

Some chiropractors also include other areas in their practice, such as acupuncture and nutritional counseling.

Conditions commonly treated by chiropractors include:

• Acute low back pain
• Neck pain and stiffness
• Tension headaches
• Sciatica and other nerve irritation
• Joint pain in hips, shoulders, knees and other extremities

When to Visit a Chiropractor

If you’re experiencing back or neck pain, it’s a good idea to see your primary care provider first. They can examine you to identify what’s causing the pain and create a treatment plan. That may include using cold and heat therapy to reduce inflammation, medication to decrease pain, and exercises to help you stay active. They may also refer you to a physical therapist or a chiropractor for additional care.

If your back or neck pain hasn’t resolved itself, you may want to consider seeing a chiropractor. A chiropractor can also help you with:

• Chronic joint stiffness that makes it difficult to turn your head, bend down, or reach for something.
• Tension headaches that occur because of muscle tightness or joint restriction in the neck and base of the skull.
• Sciatica and radiating nerve discomfort from nerves in your back and legs being pinched. For more information about sciatica, check out our blog on keeping sciatica from being a pain.
• Repetitive motion strain caused by long hours sitting at a desk, driving, or repetitive physical tasks.

Some chiropractors offer treatment for non-musculoskeletal conditions, such as allergies, asthma, digestive disorders, sleep and mood disorders, menstrual cramps, and high blood pressure. However, there is no scientific evidence that spinal manipulation is effective at treating such conditions. You should see your primary care provider for treatment of those conditions.

You should not visit a chiropractor if you have any of these signs or symptoms:

• Numbness, tingling, or weakness in the hands, arms, legs, or feet
• Pain down both legs
• Loss of bowel or bladder control
• Trauma from a car crash, fall, or other major injury
• Osteoporosis, a broken bone, or bone density issues
• Unexplained weight loss, fever, chills, or a history of cancer

These symptoms may indicate spinal cord or nerve compression, systemic infection, or a fracture that should initially be evaluated by your primary care provider or an emergency room physician.

Tips for Finding a Chiropractor

If you would like to see a chiropractor, here are some tips for getting started and locating one in your area.

• Check your coverage. Many of our health plans include coverage for chiropractic care, although it may be subject to deductibles and cost sharing like copayments. Check your Outline of Coverage, available in the Member Resource Center, to see your plan’s coverage details for chiropractic care.
• Use our Find a Doctor tool. Chiropractors that are in our network can be found by using our online Find a Doctor tool. Enter the word chiropractor in the search terms box. If you want to narrow the search, enter your location and a distance from you to search. You can also browse by category and select “chiropractor” in the specialist category.
• Do background research. It’s a good idea to check a chiropractor’s website, if they have one, to see what conditions they treat and learn about their care philosophy. Also check their patient reviews on sites like Healthgrades.
• Check license status. In Vermont, chiropractors are regulated by the state’s Office of Professional Regulation. You can look up a chiropractor’s license status and see any disciplinary action using the state’s Find a Professional site.
• Go for an initial evaluation. If you are interested in being treated by a certain chiropractor, schedule an initial evaluation with them where you discuss your pain and other symptoms. The chiropractor should review your medical history and do a physical exam, and then talk with you about treatment options. Because chiropractors vary so widely in practice, you may want to visit more than one for an initial evaluation so that you can compare their proposed treatment plans.
• Ask about adjustment style. Chiropractors use different styles of spinal manipulative therapy—some use sharp movements to bring joints back into alignment quickly, while others prefer more gentle approaches that may take longer. Be sure that you are comfortable with the chiropractor’s style before scheduling any adjustments.

If you have questions about your health plan’s chiropractic benefits, please contact our customer service team. They are available at (800) 247-2583 (TTY: 711) Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. You can also send them a secure email by logging into the Member Resource Center.