About Chiropractic

What is Chiropractic?

Chiropractic is a health care profession that focuses on disorders of the musculoskeletal system and the nervous system, and the effects of these disorders on general health. Doctors of Chiropractic - often referred to as chiropractors or chiropractic physicians - practice a drug-free, hands-on approach to health care that includes patient examination, diagnosis and treatment. Chiropractors have broad diagnostic skills and are also trained to recommend therapeutic and rehabilitative exercises, as well as to provide nutritional, dietary and lifestyle counseling. To receive the doctor of chiropractic degree, candidates must complete extensive undergraduate prerequisites and four years of graduate-level instruction and internship at an accredited chiropractic institution. Comprehensive knowledge of all systems of the body and diagnostic procedures enable the DC to thoroughly evaluate a patient, address disorders relating to the spine and determine the need for referral to another health care provider. The ultimate bottom line is RESULTS……. Chiropractic has a proven track record of helping a multitude of ailments. Call an IACP Chiropractor today to see if we can help you achieve better health through Chiropractic!

Education and Your Chiropractor

Doctors of Chiropractic receive extensive, demanding professional education on par with medical doctors (MDs) and osteopaths (DOs). To receive the doctor of chiropractic degree, candidates must complete extensive undergraduate prerequisites currently 3 years of education and 4 years of graduate-level instruction and internship at an accredited chiropractic institution.

According to the Center for Studies in Health Policy, "The DC can provide all three levels of primary care interventions and therefore is a primary care provider, as are MDs and DOs. The doctor of chiropractic is a gatekeeper to the health care system and an independent practitioner who provides primary care services. The DC's office is a direct access portal of entry to the full scope of service."

As a portal of entry care provider a Doctor of Chiropractic has comprehensive knowledge of all systems of the body and diagnostic procedures enable the Doctor of Chiropractic to thoroughly evaluate a patient, address disorders relating to the spine and determine the need for referral to another health care provider.

In the State of Idaho Doctors of Chiropractic have an expansive scope of practice which allows for them to utilize physiotherapy devices, perform venipuncture to collect blood specimens for laboratory diagnosis, give nutritional advice, and dispense nutritional supplements from their offices. Three other States share the characteristics of an expansive scope of practice: Oregon, Ohio, and Oklahoma. Chiropractic is recognized by governmental health care programs. Chiropractic is included in Medicare, Medicaid, Federal Employees Health Care Benefits Programs, Federal Workers' Compensation and all state workers' compensation programs.

Wellness through Chiropractic

The doctor of Chiropractic is an effective source of preventative and wellness care. Wellness is a way of life. It cannot be found simply by taking a pill. Many Chiropractic patients are surprised by the far reaching results of chiropractic and a wellness lifestyle.

Like other things in your life, your body and specifically your spine need proper, regular care. When the spine is neglected, one or more of the spinal bones can lose their position and become misaligned. These misalignments and the effect they have on nerve function can be corrected and prevent through a wellness care plan that includes Chiropractic adjustments. By utilizing the wellness care or preventative adjustment to treat the entire person rather than treating symptoms there is a greater chance for correcting the cause of the problem, avoiding future illness and disease and enhancing general well-being.

The anatomical focus of the Doctor of Chiropractic on the human spine has created the perception of the D.C. as just a "back doctor." Although this perception is not entirely incorrect, it is very much incomplete. Doctors of chiropractic are a highly appropriate resource in matters of work-place safety, stress management, injury prevention, postural correction and nutritional counseling."

Chiropractic and the Medicare Patient

With the population aged 65 and older expected to double between 2011 and 2030, the health care needs that will be created by this rapid population increase will place great demands on the country's already-challenged health care system.1 The elderly tend to suffer from chronic conditions, and often have many health problems that increase the complexity of their medical. Much of the elder population suffer from musculoskeletal conditions, such as nonspecific back and joint pain and osteoarthritis, all of which are common causes of disability and decreased function in the elderly.

Every Doctor of Chiropractic who has any patient over the age of 65 is mandated, by federal law, to produce and bill Medicare for the chiropractic adjustment. Doctors of Chiropractic and office staff carry heavy responsibility, by federal law, to know the rules and regulations that chiropractors must follow, especially in Medicare.

Medicaid and Chiropractic Coverage

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has the responsibility of providing sufficient medical coverage to the citizens. At present, approximately thirty US states recognize chiropractic care as legitimate and eligible for coverage under Medicaid, through a fee for service arrangement. As chiropractic care is gaining better recognition and legitimacy with each passing day, eventually it may get coverage under Medicaid in all the fifty states. Among the states that do cover Medicaid for chiropractic care, Idaho is one of them. Chiropractic care covered by Medicaid does have limitation on the number and frequency, as well as the types of services covered.

Why Do I need multiple Appointments?

Just like a person getting braces on teeth, when people see their Orthodontist and receive braces an average time would be two years…. Why? Because it takes approximately that long for the soft tissues to reprogram around teeth. Reprogramming soft tissues around vertebrae also takes time. Orthodontists and Chiropractors basically do the same thing; reprogram soft tissue around bony structures to straighten them up. However, the Chiropractors have two strikes against them to start with… One, the vertebrae are ten times bigger than teeth and, two; the chiropractor can't put braces around a person's spine. Braces on teeth are a cinch, put them on and they're working hour after week after month. Chiropractors can't do that so some DC's put you on a care plan to keep heading those misaligned vertebrae back towards correction through multiple appointments. This schedule will depend on how severe your condition is and the Doctor's professional opinion on how soon the condition will regain pre-accident/ pre-symptom condition.