Although a doctor of chiropractic is not a medical doctor, they do indeed undergo significant hours of training and study. In fact, in New Zealand, you must complete a Bachelor of Chiropractic at the New Zealand College of Chiropractic. Otherwise, you must have an equivalent accreditation acquired overseas in order to be registered as a doctor of chiropractic. 

In the 5 years of studying they undergo, a doctor of chiropractic gains knowledge in treating bones, nerves, and muscles. Although they are mostly known for treating back and neck pain, they also treat bone and soft tissue injuries. While some like to specialise in the treatment of specific conditions, others may provide broader services. At our clinic, we have a doctor of chiropractic specialised in multiple treatment plans to fully service our local community. 

A common misconception is that a doctor of chiropractic merely cracks a person’s back or joints. They undergo extensive study of the spine and musculoskeletal system and how it relates to the body’s function. The techniques that a doctor of chiropractic uses on a patient are not random but rather tailored to the symptoms. They have the ability to diagnose and proceed with treatment of the spine, joints, and muscle injuries. It is also important to mention that one must not try to replicate treatment techniques at home. You are much more likely to do more harm than good when not undertaken by an experienced doctor of chiropractic. 

While a doctor of chiropractic provides a treatment option that is an alternative to surgical procedures, it isn’t for everyone. There are cases where upon diagnosis, we have referred or advised a patient to seek further medical advice.

A doctor of chiropractic is entitled to use the title ‘Dr.’ as long as it is referred to in the context of chiropractic. This rule is in place so as not to confuse a doctor of chiropractic with other Drs of various sorts. It must be noted that the title recognises the time and breadth of study undertaken and primary health care status. Of course, there is a distinction between a doctor of chiropractic and medical doctors, like GPs for example.

The term doctor does in fact have multiple meanings depending on the context in which it is used. The most common that people think of is their GP or a surgeon having the title of a doctor. In another context, anyone that undergoes a postgraduate PhD study will be eligible to hold Dr. as an academic title. Professions such as chiropractic, pharmacy, and osteopathy can also hold the title as long as there’s a professional distinction. 

As already mentioned, a doctor of chiropractic must identify as a chiropractor after using the title. Dr. Ilaaria Khan (Doctor of Chiropractic), for example. The same goes for a pharmacist or an osteopath. 

There are also some distinct differences between a medical doctor and a doctor of chiropractic. 

1. A doctor of medicine can prescribe medications and perform surgeries, unlike a doctor of chiropractic. 
2. A doctor of medicine generally doesn't perform manual and natural treatment whereas a doctor of chiropractic is trained to use ‘hands-on’ manual therapies to treat pain.
3. Medical doctors are trained to diagnose and treat diseases of all bodily systems. On the other hand, a doctor of chiropractic focuses on the musculoskeletal system.

So there you have it, a doctor of chiropractic is entitled to use the term. However, there is a clear distinction from a medical doctor.

Instead of trying to convince you in so many words, we recommend you go see a doctor of chiropractic once. Yes indeed, there are many benefits such as increased blood flow, relief of tension, and posture correction. However, these will only remain words until you go experience treatment yourself. 

That way, you can truly evaluate if seeing a doctor of chiropractic regularly is truly worth the time and money. For many people, it is worthwhile. That is because they see an improvement in their quality of life that far outweighs the costs. In addition, speaking to your doctor of chiropractic about a long-term plan will typically result in some cost-saving bundle. You can also check whether your insurance covers some or all of the cost to see your doctor of chiropractic. While you may spend $40-100 per session, broken up into monthly or quarterly intervals is manageable for most people. 

We would also advise you to find a doctor of chiropractic that is near your workplace or home. That is so it isn’t an inconvenience to go to regular sessions and you aren’t put off by it.

Now, in terms of concrete benefits to your day-to-day, many people who see a doctor of chiropractic regularly see improvements in the following areas:

• According to this study, ⅓ patients saw an immediate improvement in their sleep after a doctor of chiropractic visit.
• Having more energy is also a widely reported byproduct of seeing a doctor of chiropractic.
• One of the main goals is to alleviate your body of physical stress, especially areas that are being overworked.

While we said that you should go visit a doctor of chiropractic before you make up your mind, everyone’s different. While some may see the benefits right away, others may need more time.

A study on Hong Kong’s health care system found that a doctor of chiropractic can help in the early detection of health concerns. This is done through musculoskeletal evaluation and advice on lowering the chance of developing issues like arthritis and back discomfort. Moreover, a doctor of chiropractic will generally advise you on a holistic lifestyle approach. If you take care of your body and apply good habits, your body will return the favour by functioning well. 

Care from a doctor of chiropractic is also a cost-effective and safe option for prevention and treatment of functional problems. Detecting and treating an issue early is a much more financially sound idea than ignoring early discomfort. When the problem becomes urgent, it usually requires expensive and invasive operations or rigorous therapy to treat.

Now that we’ve established how a doctor of chiropractic can contribute to preventative healthcare, we’ll touch on regular check-ups.

Firstly, regular visits to your doctor of chiropractic will help improve your posture. In today’s modern world, we can’t sit for a few hours without gazing down at our phones. Many of us with an office job know the pain of sitting at a desk for hours too. Your doctor of chiropractic will help correct postural imbalances through spine realignment and improve overall spinal health. 

Secondly, chronic pain is a persistent issue that as of this moment, can’t be cured. However, the good news is that your doctor of chiropractic can help relieve chronic pain. Through proper alignment and improved blood flow, you may experience less irritation on your nerves, muscles, and joints. 

Your spine and nervous system play a key role in a well-functioning immune system. Treatment by a doctor of chiropractic helps remove any interference between the brain and the body, promoting better immune function.