The effectiveness of chiropractic for back pain has been documented and published in the Annals of Internal Medicine. Patients also visit chiropractors for many other musculoskeletal conditions such as neck pain, headaches, shoulder pain, knee pain, hip pain, sports injuries, and even plantar fasciitis. The healthcare system has often treated many of our complaints as if they are separate and distinct conditions. If you have a symptom, there is a specialist for every body part or system. Unlike the medical approach that relies on primary care gatekeepers and system specialists who will look at that from their expertise, musculoskeletal conditions are often at the root of many medical symptoms. The non-holistic approach taken by medicine has resulted in many negative tests, and many prescribed drugs that may have been unnecessary had they holistically evaluated the patient. A chiropractor will evaluate and treat their patient from a holistic point of view. This means that instead of treating the part, they look at the mechanism behind the pain and improve movement and function through the use of exercises, fascial release, manipulation as well as other methods that have been proven to work. If a medical problem requiring a specialist is necessary, they will either send you to your medical primary doctor or send you to the appropriate specialist directly. Luckily, most mechanical problems do not require a medical specialist and resolve after a few short visits in the chiropractor's office. Chiropractors will evaluate and then begin work on a problem once they understand what the mechanical basis for the pain is, saving you time and money while offering an effective solution to your condition. Chiropractors will order fewer expensive tests, as they believe a thorough holistic evaluation is enough to begin care in most cases. If a short trial of care fails to resolve or improve your condition, they will either reevaluate you or refer you to the appropriate specialist. Chiropractors are the first point of contact providers, meaning that just like your primary doctor for all things disease related, they are your primary doctor for all things musculoskeletal. Whom should you see first for a painful condition of the spine and extremities? Perhaps a chiropractor would be your best and most cost-effective first step. Check out this article featured in Men's Journal 5 Times You Should See a Chiropractor (Not Just for Back Pain) by Cassie Shortsleeve There’s a big misconception that chiropractors want to do away with: “Most patients arrive at their first appointment with the assumption that as a chiropractor I only specialize in injuries of the spine and they’ll be getting their backs ‘cracked,’” says Ian Nurse, D.C., a Boston-based chiropractor and owner of Wellness in Motion Boston. Frustrating to doctors with chiropractic degrees? Sure. But the stereotype doesn’t do you any good either. After all, chiropractors—health care professionals specializing in the musculoskeletal system and nervous system disorders—heal everything from soft tissue running injuries and joint pain to headaches. Their work is non-invasive, far cheaper than surgery, and has little to no downtime. So should you see one? If any of the below scenarios look familiar, it’s worth considering. Read more