| Most people are wary about complementary and | | | | Chiropractors, chiropractic practitioners, |
| alternative medicine or CAM because of the | | | | and chiropractic therapists will take the |
| flak it received from medical organizations. | | | | time to brief you about the different |
| However, all is well now between the two | | | | services they provide. They will also explain |
| camps and even medical doctors now prescribe | | | | the principles behind the treatment. This is |
| CAM for therapy. The most popular CAM | | | | your chance to ask questions and clarify your |
| providers at present are chiropractors, | | | | doubts about the treatment. As professionals, |
| chiropractic practitioners, and chiropractic | | | | chiropractors will not perform any treatment, |
| clinics. They are also the most prescribed | | | | unless you are absolutely sure about going |
| CAM treatment providers. Not surprising | | | | through the procedure. If all goes well, your |
| because the treatment chiropractors, | | | | chiropractor will require you to undergo a |
| chiropractic practitioners, and chiropractic | | | | full physical examination. Expect basic tests |
| clinics provide are not based on wooly | | | | like X-rays and spine examination. Your |
| assumptions. The treatments are based on | | | | chiropractor will base his treatment plan on |
| basic and rather medical principles. | | | | your exam results. |
| | | | |
| The work of chiropractors, chiropractic | | | | When you finally go for treatment, do not be |
| practitioners, and chiropractic clinics are | | | | surprised to see another chiropractor. |
| based upon a fundamental principle. It states | | | | Sometimes, treatments may require |
| that a body has self-healing properties based | | | | professional assistance. Chiropractors, |
| on spine alignment and nerve flow. Simply | | | | chiropractic practitioners, or chiropractic |
| put, diseases and pain are caused by | | | | therapists may perform an adjustment or two. |
| interruption in the nerve flow due to | | | | Dubbed as manipulation treatment, this |
| misalignment of the spine or "subluxation." A | | | | involves manual therapy. Through applying |
| body can heal itself when the spine's | | | | pressure and massage techniques in your |
| alignment is corrected. These corrections are | | | | spine, the chiropractors, chiropractic |
| very different from traditional medical | | | | practitioners, and chiropractic therapists |
| procedures and can be very disconcerting if | | | | will correct your spine. This may include the |
| you don't know what to expect. Though these | | | | application of sudden but controlled force to |
| CAM providers are trained and certified | | | | joints and bones. Call their attention if you |
| individuals, it won't hurt to have a clue | | | | feel pain, only minor discomfort should be |
| before you visit. | | | | felt during the treatment procedure. |
| | | | Treatments are usually broken in several |
| Initial consultations usually involve | | | | sessions. You may have to undergo a series of |
| interviews about your medical history and | | | | treatments to fully get the benefits of |
| experiences with treatment procedures. | | | | chiropractic treatment. |