The Truth About Chiropractors: Are They Real Doctors? Is your back hurting? Don’t worry. You’re not the only one. Researchers estimate between 10 and 15 percent of people have back or neck pain. Many people will look for any treatment that will help them feel better. They are always looking for options that will help eliminate pain as quickly as possible. People can choose to go to a variety of doctors. However, most medical doctors are quick to prescribe medication to help ease the pain. If you are looking for an alternative doctor that will relieve pain without medication, then a chiropractor is what you need. If you are currently suffering from back or neck pain, alternative medicine might be the right choice for your pain. Chiropractors use spinal manipulation as their form of alternative medicine. But is chiropractic effective? Are chiropractors real doctors? Here are some answers. What Are Chiropractors? Doctors of chiropractic, use spinal manipulation along with other alternative treatment to properly align the musculoskeletal structure of the body, primarily the spine. These adjustments enable the body to heal itself over time without having to undergo surgery or use medication. These hands-on manipulations restore mobility to joints that were restricted due to injury or trauma. Chiropractors do not treat every problem that patients have. It is primarily used to treat muscles, joints, bones, and connective tissue that are causing pain or discomfort to areas of the body. It is an alternative to pain relief as well as promoting a healthier lifestyle. Chiropractic care can also be used in conjunction with regular medical treatments. What Training Do They Undergo? Like doctors, chiropractors undergo a significant amount of training before they can treat patients. Typically, chiropractors must have an undergraduate degree and then attend four years of a chiropractic college. The average chiropractor completes approximately eight years of higher education before the can obtain a license. In most instances, they graduate with a pre-med major with the course curriculum including, chemistry, biology, physics, and psychology. On average, the chiropractic graduate program includes 4,200 instructional hours in course credits. Is Chiropractic Effective? Chiropractors specialize in spinal manipulation and how the spine relates to other functions within the body. Often, chiropractors work on problems with lower back pain, neck pain, and pain from other trauma, such as car accidents. Chiropractors treat headaches, neck pain, back pain, and other joint and soft tissue injuries that cause pain. Some chiropractors also specialize in nutrition and sports medicine as well as exercise. Chiropractors can also help with posture and stance. According to research, there is a significant increase in medical doctors recommending chiropractors as an alternative treatment. In fact, 74 percent of Americans have used a chiropractor at some point to treat back pain. A majority of patients found chiropractic care helpful for their back pain, migraines, car accident injuries, leg pain, and muscle strains. Many people in the study also reported they liked chiropractic care because there is no need for medication. Exercises were prescribed in lieu of medications in most cases. If you are experiencing back pain, neck pain, migraines, leg pain, or any type of joint pain, you should consider making an appointment to see a chiropractor. Contact Dr. Charschan at Charschan Chiropractic and Sports Injury Associates. We have two convenient locations to better serve you: North Brunswick, NJ, and Scotch Plains, NJ. Give us a call today. Let us begin to put you on a path of wellness and total body health.