Chiropractic treatments focus on the relationship between the body’s internal structure, most importantly the spine, and its ability heal itself. Among the different Santa Monica Chiropractors you will find that each practitioner will employ a unique and varied set of treatment approaches and techniques. However, with all chiropractors the goal is to correct alignment problems in the spine by performing adjustments and increase range of motion and overall health.
For people with painful conditions like back pain, neck pain, and chronic headaches, a skilled chiropractor can literally be life changing. After particularly traumatic events like whiplash, the neck and spine can be adjusted for pain relief, and to prevent the possibility of permanent damage, restoring the full range of movement to the patient.
Chiropractors in Santa Monica (and elsewhere in the United States) first complete a Doctor of Chiropractic degree from an accredited college before entering into practice. The best Santa Monica chiropractic doctors engage in ongoing research in order to examine various chiropractic techniques and the diseases and conditions they are most helpful in treating.
A combination of the Greek words cheir (hands) and praxis (action), the term “chiropractic” literally means “treatment done by hand”. Chiropractic treatments are essentially adjustments of the spine done by hand. Spinal alignments are central to chiropractic care, but other parts of the body can also be manipulated. Chiropractic is part of complementary and alternative medicine. Chiropractic is often used in concert with conventional medical practices, but is often recommended in place of more invasive conventional treatments.
Complementary Alternative Medicine (CAM) is based on the idea that the body has a powerful self-healing ability. At the core of chiropractic is the idea that the body’s structure (primarily the spine) and its overall function is closely related, affecting health and wellbeing. Chiropractic therapy aims to normalize the relationship between the structure and body function and assist in the healing process.
Your Initial Visit to a Santa Monica Chiropractor.
For people who haven’t been to a chiropractor before, there are some basic things you can expect during your initial visit. As with any doctor visit, you will fill out a form with your health history and disclose any persistent problems. After reviewing your report together, the chiropractor will perform an examination with a focus on your spinal alignments and evaluate your overall condition, highlighting any problem areas. X-rays may also be performed to obtain a clear picture of your body’s structure before a treatment plan is prescribed. Your treatment plan will be custom tailored to you, and specifically to address the problems you are having.
Follow up Visits to Your Chiropractor
Ongoing treatment for a period of weeks or months is usually necessary to enjoy the full benefits and enable the adjustments to take hold. During each follow up visit, your Santa Monica chiropractor will apply a controlled, sudden force to a joint, moving it beyond its passive range of motion. The goal is to increase the range and quality of motion in the area being treated and to aid in restoring health. Other hands-on therapies such as mobilization (movement of a joint within its usual range of motion) also may be employed.
Before and after joint manipulation, chiropractors will often use heat and ice to relax the muscle, as well as electrical stimulation. As part of your ongoing care you may be prescribed rest, rehabilitative stretching and exercise as well as dietary changes.
Side Effects and Risks of Chiropractic Treatment
Depending specifically on the type of chiropractic treatment used, there are some potential side effects and risks, which can include temporary headaches, tiredness, or discomfort in parts of the body that were treated. More serious complications such as stroke are extremely unlikely, but would have to be related to the type of adjustment performed, the part of the body treated, and the pre-existing condition of the patient. Dietary supplements that are part of the chiropractic treatment plan may not play nice with other prescribed medicines and cause side effects. It is important to disclose to your chiropractor any and all medicines (whether prescription or over-the-counter) and supplements you are taking before developing your treatment plan.
Qualifications To Practice
Make sure you choose a Santa Monica chiropractor that has earned a Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.) degree from a college accredited by the Council on Chiropractic Education (CCE). CCE is the agency certified by the U.S. Department of Education to accredit chiropractic colleges in the United States.
All Santa Monica chiropractors are regulated individually by the State of California as well as the District of Columbia. Board examinations are required for licensing and include a mock patient encounter. Most states require chiropractors to earn annual continuing education credits to maintain their licenses. Chiropractors’ scope of practice varies by state in areas such as laboratory tests or diagnostic procedures, the dispensing or selling of dietary supplements, and the use of other CAM therapies.
Insurance Coverage
Insurance coverage for chiropractic services is fairly extensive in California. Many HMOs (health maintenance organizations), PPO’s and private health care plans cover Beverly Hills chiropractic treatment. State workers’ compensation also covers chiropractic treatments. Chiropractors can bill Medicare, and many states cover chiropractic treatment under Medicaid. If you have health insurance in California, it is important to check and see if you are covered before seeking treatment.