Chiropractic Care 101: What It Is and How It Helps

Chiropractors have been helping patients relieve chronic pain and improve their range of motion for over a hundred years. Yet many people still misunderstand what exactly chiropractic care is, who is qualified to provide chiropractic treatment, and how it can benefit your health. Let’s clear up a few key points about chiropractic with a crash course on the basics.

What Is Chiropractic Care? 

Chiropractic care is a natural, noninvasive approach to identifying and treating spinal and musculoskeletal system disorders. This branch of medicine focuses on reducing pain, increasing movement, and improving quality of life through preventative and restorative care. 

Who Can Provide Chiropractic Care? 

A chiropractor is a formally trained doctor with a degree in chiropractic from an accredited school. They are experts in diagnosing, treating, and preventing disorders of the spine and musculoskeletal system. As such, chiropractors must receive extensive medical training and clinical experience before they are eligible for licensure. 

To become a chiropractor, one must have:

• A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
• A Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) degree from an accredited college of chiropractic
• A passing grade on each of four national examinations from the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners (NBCE)
• A license to practice chiropractic treatment in your state

What Does a Chiropractor Do? 

A chiropractor performs manual adjustments of the spine and other areas of the body to restore function and mobility as well as reduce pain. These adjustments help to realign the body’s musculoskeletal structure so that normal movement can be restored. This helps to reduce pain caused by inflammation or misalignment in the joints and muscles.

In order to provide these adjustments, a chiropractor has to be able to diagnose what the problem is. This is done through a physical examination and x-rays of problem areas to ensure the treatment you receive is correct for your needs. 

What Does Chiropractic Care Treat? 

Your musculoskeletal system is made up of your muscles, ligaments, tendons, and bones. It is a large system that enables you to move your body; and as such, it can experience many problems. 

Chiropractic care can relieve many musculoskeletal problems, including:

• Headaches and migraines
• Neck and shoulder pain
• Back pain
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Hip pain
• Sciatica
• Knee pain
• Plantar fasciitis

Does Dr. Mattingly Provide Other Services? 

At Mattingly Chiropractic, our founder Dr. Dustan Mattingly provides other holistic services to improve your health and overall wellness. In addition to chiropractic adjustments, Dr. Mattingly offers: 

• Pressure Point Therapy to relieve chronic pain and improve nerve function
• Custom foot orthotics to relieve foot pain and provide support when you walk
• Nutritional consultations and supplemental vitamins and minerals for better health

Visit Mattingly Chiropractic to Improve Your Quality of Life 

Chiropractic treatment has helped countless people find relief from chronic pain, improve their body’s function and range of motion, and experience a higher quality of life. Find out for yourself how much better you can feel with chiropractic care. Call us at (314) 635-1008 to schedule your consultation today.