Back pain, neck stiffness, limited mobility, and other musculoskeletal problems can make everyday activities harder. If you have never visited a chiropractor, you may wonder what actually happens during an appointment and whether chiropractic care is appropriate for your symptoms.
So, what do chiropractors do? Chiropractors are licensed healthcare professionals who evaluate and manage conditions involving the musculoskeletal system, particularly the spine and joints. Depending on the patient’s condition, care may include spinal manipulation or mobilization, exercise and movement recommendations, soft-tissue techniques, and other conservative approaches.
Chiropractic care is not an emergency replacement or medically necessary care. A good evaluation helps determine whether chiropractic treatment is appropriate or whether another healthcare professional should be involved.
This guide explains what chiropractors do, what conditions they commonly treat, what happens during an adjustment, how chiropractors are trained, what chiropractic care may help with, and when you should seek medical attention instead.
What Is a Chiropractor?
A chiropractor is a licensed healthcare professional whose education and clinical practice focus heavily on the neuromusculoskeletal system, including the spine, joints, muscles, and related movement problems.
In the United States, chiropractors earn a Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.) degree and must satisfy state-specific licensing requirements before practicing. Chiropractors are not medical doctors (M.D.s or D.O.s), and their education and scope of practice differ from those of physicians.
The goal of chiropractic care is generally to improve musculoskeletal function, mobility, and symptoms using conservative treatment approaches.
Depending on the patient’s needs, chiropractic care may involve:
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Spinal manipulation or adjustments
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Joint mobilization
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Movement and mobility exercises
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Rehabilitation recommendations
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Soft-tissue techniques
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Posture and ergonomic guidance
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Education about activity and self-management
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Referral to another healthcare professional when appropriate
The exact treatment approach depends on the patient’s symptoms, health history, examination findings, and goals.
What Do Chiropractors Do?
The simplest answer to what do chiropractors do is this: they evaluate musculoskeletal problems and provide conservative care intended to improve movement, function, and symptoms.
A chiropractic appointment is not simply about having your back “cracked.” A responsible evaluation begins by understanding what is happening and determining whether chiropractic treatment is suitable.
1. Review Your Health History
A chiropractor may ask about:
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Your current symptoms
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When the problem started
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Previous injuries or accidents
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Medical conditions
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Medications
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Previous treatment
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Activities that make symptoms better or worse
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Numbness, tingling, weakness, or other neurological symptoms
This information helps the chiropractor determine what may be contributing to your complaint and whether further evaluation is needed.
2. Perform a Physical Examination
Depending on your symptoms, the examination may include an assessment of:
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Spinal and joint movement
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Range of motion
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Muscle function
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Posture
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Tenderness
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Strength
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Reflexes or sensation when clinically appropriate
The purpose is not simply to identify a painful spot. The chiropractor is looking at how the affected area functions and whether there are findings that change the treatment approach.
3. Decide Whether Chiropractic Care Is Appropriate
Not every condition should be managed by a chiropractor.
If your symptoms suggest a fracture, serious infection, progressive neurological problem, emergency condition, or another issue outside the chiropractor’s scope of practice, referral for medical evaluation may be more appropriate.
Imaging is also not automatically necessary for every patient. Whether X-rays or other diagnostic tests are appropriate depends on the patient’s history, examination, symptoms, and clinical circumstances.
4. Develop a Treatment Plan
If chiropractic care is appropriate, the chiropractor may recommend a combination of treatments rather than relying on one technique.
A plan may include adjustments, mobility work, exercises, activity modifications, or other conservative approaches.
The plan should be based on the patient’s individual needs rather than a predetermined treatment schedule.
What Do Chiropractors Treat?
People commonly visit chiropractors for musculoskeletal conditions and symptoms, particularly problems involving the back, neck, and joints.
Common reasons for seeking chiropractic care include:
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Low back pain
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Joint stiffness
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Limited range of motion
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Some types of headaches associated with neck or musculoskeletal problems
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Certain types of musculoskeletal pain after an injury
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Sports-related musculoskeletal problems
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Auto accident-related neck or back symptoms
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Some cases of radiating leg or arm symptoms
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Movement and posture-related discomfort
The evidence for chiropractic treatment varies by condition. For example, spinal manipulation is one conservative treatment option for acute and chronic low-back pain and may produce modest improvements in pain and function for some people.
That does not mean chiropractic treatment is appropriate for every type of pain or that it will work equally well for every patient.
What Happens During a Chiropractic Adjustment?
A chiropractic adjustment, also called spinal manipulation in some contexts, involves applying a controlled force to a joint.
The technique can be performed manually or with an instrument. Not every adjustment involves a loud popping sound, and not every patient needs the same technique.
During treatment, you may notice:
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A quick movement of the joint
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Pressure or stretching
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A brief popping or clicking sound
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Temporary soreness afterward
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A change in how the treated area moves
The popping sound sometimes associated with an adjustment is generally related to changes in pressure within the joint rather than bones “cracking.”
Spinal manipulation is different from spinal mobilization. Manipulation generally involves a controlled thrust, while mobilization uses slower movement without that thrust.
Does a Chiropractic Adjustment Hurt?
Most adjustments are designed to be controlled and tolerable, but individual experiences vary.
Some people experience temporary soreness, stiffness, or increased discomfort following spinal manipulation. NCCIH notes that these effects are usually mild to moderate and often resolve within about 24 hours.
If a technique causes significant or unusual symptoms, tell your chiropractor.
How Chiropractic Care Works
Chiropractic care does not work by simply “putting every bone back into place.”
The body is a complex mechanical and neurological system. Joint movement, muscle activity, pain sensitivity, physical activity, sleep, stress, previous injury, and many other factors can influence how a person feels and moves.
Spinal manipulation may influence joint movement and can affect pain and muscle-related responses. Research supports its use as one conservative option for certain musculoskeletal conditions, particularly low-back pain.
The practical goal is often to help a patient move more comfortably and return to normal activities while addressing factors that may be contributing to the problem.
This is different from claiming that chiropractic adjustments cure disease or “realign” the entire body.
What Are the Benefits of Chiropractic Care?
The potential benefits of chiropractic care depend on the condition being treated and the individual patient.
For appropriate musculoskeletal problems, chiropractic care may help:
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Improve joint mobility
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Reduce certain types of musculoskeletal pain
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Improve physical function
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Make movement more comfortable
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Support an active recovery
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Provide a non-drug treatment option for certain conditions
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Help patients understand movement and self-management strategies
For low-back pain specifically, evidence suggests spinal manipulation can provide modest improvements in pain and function for some patients.
It is important to distinguish possible benefits from guaranteed outcomes. No responsible healthcare provider can promise that one treatment will eliminate every patient’s pain.
Reasons to See a Chiropractor
You might consider a chiropractic evaluation if you are experiencing a musculoskeletal problem that is interfering with normal activities.
Common reasons include:
Persistent Back or Neck Pain
Pain that continues to interfere with work, exercise, sleep, or daily activities may warrant an evaluation.
Limited Mobility
If your neck, back, shoulder, hip, or another joint does not move normally, an assessment can help identify possible contributing factors.
Sports-Related Problems
Athletes may seek chiropractic care as part of a broader approach to managing musculoskeletal discomfort and maintaining mobility.
Orenda Chiropractic in Reno offers athlete-focused chiropractic care for people with active lifestyles.
Auto Accident Injuries
Neck and back symptoms can occur following a motor vehicle accident, sometimes appearing or changing after the initial event.
A post-accident evaluation can help determine whether chiropractic care is appropriate and whether additional medical assessment is needed.
Pregnancy-Related Musculoskeletal Discomfort
Pregnancy changes posture, joint loading, and movement patterns. Some pregnant patients seek chiropractic care for musculoskeletal discomfort.
Treatment during pregnancy should be appropriately modified and coordinated with the patient’s healthcare needs. Orenda Chiropractic offers prenatal chiropractic care in Reno.
When Should You See a Chiropractor?
There is no universal number of days you need to wait before seeking care.
Consider an evaluation when pain, stiffness, or restricted movement is persistent, recurring, or interfering with your normal activities.
You should seek urgent medical attention rather than routine chiropractic care if symptoms suggest an emergency.
Examples include:
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New loss of bladder or bowel control
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Numbness around the groin or saddle area
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Significant or rapidly worsening weakness
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Severe symptoms after major trauma
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Loss of consciousness
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Severe neurological symptoms
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Symptoms accompanied by signs of a serious systemic illness
These symptoms can indicate conditions requiring urgent medical assessment.
Is Chiropractic Care Safe?
For appropriately selected patients, chiropractic treatment is generally considered a relatively safe conservative treatment option when performed by a trained and licensed professional.
However, “safe” does not mean risk-free.
Temporary soreness, stiffness, headache, or increased discomfort can occur after spinal manipulation. Serious adverse events are rare, but they have been reported. Patients should discuss relevant health conditions, medications, previous injuries, and other risk factors with their provider before treatment.
Neck manipulation deserves particular care because rare cervical artery problems have been reported in association with neck manipulation, although the available evidence does not establish a simple cause-and-effect relationship and these artery dissections can also occur spontaneously or after other activities.
A qualified chiropractor should screen patients for situations in which a particular technique may be inappropriate and modify or avoid treatment when necessary.
Are Chiropractors Doctors?
Yes, chiropractors are doctoral-level healthcare professionals, but they are not medical doctors.
In the United States, chiropractors earn a Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.) degree. This is different from the M.D. or D.O. degrees held by physicians.
The distinction matters because healthcare professions have different educational pathways and scopes of practice.
What Degree Do Chiropractors Have?
Chiropractors earn a Doctor of Chiropractic degree from a chiropractic college.
Their education includes subjects such as:
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Anatomy
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Physiology
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Pathology
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Neuromusculoskeletal diagnosis
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Diagnostic imaging
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Chiropractic techniques
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Clinical sciences
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Patient examination
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Clinical practice
The National Board of Chiropractic Examiners explains that its examinations assess knowledge in areas including basic sciences, clinical sciences, diagnosis, diagnostic imaging, chiropractic principles, and practical clinical skills.
Chiropractor Schooling and Licensing
The exact educational and licensing requirements vary by jurisdiction.
In the United States, graduates must satisfy the licensing requirements of the state where they intend to practice. The NBCE reports that all U.S. states accept or require some combination of its examinations as part of the licensing process.
Therefore, when choosing a chiropractor, patients should verify that the provider is appropriately licensed in their state.
What Do Doctors Think of Chiropractors?
There is no single opinion shared by all medical doctors.
The more useful question is whether chiropractic treatment has a role in evidence-based care for a particular condition.
For certain musculoskeletal problems, spinal manipulation is recognized as one of several conservative treatment options. For example, the American College of Physicians included spinal manipulation among non-drug options for low-back pain, while NCCIH summarizes evidence showing modest improvements in pain and function for some people.
Healthcare professionals may also refer patients to other providers when a different type of evaluation or treatment is more appropriate.
Good patient care does not require every healthcare professional to perform the same role. Chiropractors, physicians, physical therapists, and other professionals may contribute different expertise depending on the patient’s needs.
What Tools Do Chiropractors Use?
Chiropractors use different tools and techniques depending on their training, the patient’s condition, and the treatment plan.
Common examples include:
Chiropractic Tables
Specialized tables can position the patient comfortably and support different adjustment or mobilization techniques.
Handheld Adjustment Instruments
Some chiropractors use instruments to deliver controlled, low-force impulses to specific areas.
Exercise and Rehabilitation Equipment
A clinic may use resistance bands, balance equipment, mobility tools, or other exercise resources as part of an active care plan.
Diagnostic Equipment
Depending on state scope of practice and clinical need, chiropractors may use or refer for diagnostic imaging. Imaging should be based on clinical indications rather than performed automatically for every patient.
Spinal Decompression Equipment
Some chiropractic practices offer spinal decompression or traction-based therapies for selected patients.
Orenda Chiropractic in Reno lists spinal decompression therapy among its services.
The availability of a particular tool does not automatically mean it is appropriate for every condition. The evaluation should determine which treatment, if any, makes sense for the individual patient.
Who Can Receive Chiropractic Treatment?
People of different ages and activity levels may seek chiropractic care, but treatment should always be individualized.
A chiropractor may work with:
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Adults with back or neck problems
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Athletes
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People recovering from certain injuries
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Pregnant patients seeking appropriately modified care
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Older adults with mobility concerns
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People interested in wellness-oriented chiropractic services
Children and adolescents require particular attention to age, development, diagnosis, technique, and evidence. Parents should discuss the reason for treatment and the techniques being proposed with the child’s healthcare providers.
The important question is not simply whether someone belongs to a particular age group. It is whether the proposed treatment is appropriate for that person’s condition.
Where Do Chiropractors Work?
Many chiropractors work in private chiropractic clinics, but the profession is not limited to one type of setting.
Depending on their training and local healthcare system, chiropractors may work in:
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Private practices
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Multidisciplinary clinics
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Rehabilitation settings
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Sports-focused practices
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Wellness clinics
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Other healthcare environments
In Reno, patients can find chiropractic practices offering general chiropractic care alongside more specialized services such as prenatal, athlete, auto injury, wellness, and spinal decompression care.
How to Choose a Chiropractor
If you are considering chiropractic care, look beyond advertising claims.
Questions worth asking include:
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Is the chiropractor licensed in my state?
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Does the provider regularly treat conditions like mine?
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Will my first visit include an appropriate evaluation?
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Will the chiropractor explain the treatment options and alternatives?
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What should I expect from the proposed treatment?
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How will progress be evaluated?
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What symptoms would require referral to another healthcare professional?
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Are there risks or reasons a particular technique may not be appropriate for me?
Be cautious about providers who promise guaranteed cures, claim to treat unrelated diseases through spinal adjustments, discourage appropriate medical care, or recommend extensive treatment without explaining the clinical reasoning.
A trustworthy healthcare provider should be comfortable discussing uncertainty, benefits, risks, alternatives, and referrals.
Chiropractic Care in Reno, NV
If you’re searching for chiropractic care in Reno, the right starting point is an evaluation that matches your symptoms and goals.
Orenda Chiropractic provides chiropractic care in Reno along with specialized services including prenatal care, athlete care, auto injury care, wellness care, and spinal decompression therapy.
Services offered include:
Rather than assuming one treatment is right for everyone, discuss your symptoms and health history with a licensed chiropractor to determine whether chiropractic care is appropriate for you.
Location: Reno, NV
Website: Chiropractor in Reno, NV
Phone: (775) 636-7611
Map: Orenda Chiropractic – Reno, NV
Final Thoughts: What Do Chiropractors Do?
So, what do chiropractors do?
Chiropractors evaluate and manage many musculoskeletal problems, particularly conditions involving the spine, joints, muscles, and movement. Treatment may include spinal manipulation, mobilization, exercise recommendations, rehabilitation strategies, and other conservative approaches.
Chiropractic care can be a useful option for some patients, particularly for certain types of back and musculoskeletal pain. Research supports spinal manipulation as one of several conservative approaches for low-back pain, although the expected benefit varies from person to person.
The most important part of chiropractic care is not simply the adjustment itself. It is determining whether the treatment is appropriate, understanding the patient’s condition, setting realistic expectations, and knowing when another healthcare professional should be involved.
If you’re in Reno and considering chiropractic care, an individualized evaluation can help you understand your options and choose the next appropriate step.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a chiropractor do on the first visit?
A first visit commonly includes a discussion of your symptoms and health history followed by a physical or musculoskeletal examination. Depending on the findings, the chiropractor may discuss treatment options, recommend additional evaluation, or refer you to another healthcare professional.
Can a chiropractor help with back pain?
Yes, chiropractic treatment may help some people with back pain. Spinal manipulation is one of several conservative options supported by evidence for certain types of acute and chronic low-back pain. Benefits are generally modest and vary between individuals.
How long does a chiropractic adjustment last?
The adjustment itself may take only a few minutes, although the entire appointment can be longer because it may include assessment, discussion, movement testing, and other treatment. How often someone receives care depends on the condition and treatment plan.
Does a chiropractor crack your back?
Sometimes an adjustment produces a popping or clicking sound, but not every chiropractic technique produces this sound. A chiropractor may also use mobilization or instrument-assisted techniques that do not involve a traditional high-velocity thrust.
Is chiropractic care safe?
For appropriately selected patients, chiropractic care is generally considered relatively safe when provided by a trained and licensed professional. Temporary soreness, stiffness, headache, or discomfort can occur. Serious complications are rare but possible.
Are chiropractors doctors?
Chiropractors are doctoral-level healthcare professionals who earn a Doctor of Chiropractic degree. They are not medical doctors and do not follow the same educational or licensing pathway as M.D. or D.O. physicians.
What is the difference between a chiropractor and a physical therapist?
Both professions can work with musculoskeletal problems, but their education, scope of practice, and treatment approaches differ. Chiropractors commonly provide spinal and joint-focused care, while physical therapists often emphasize movement rehabilitation, strength, functional training, and recovery from injury or surgery. Some patients may work with both professionals.
When should I not see a chiropractor?
You should seek appropriate medical or emergency evaluation instead of routine chiropractic treatment when you have symptoms such as significant weakness, new bowel or bladder problems, saddle-area numbness, severe symptoms after major trauma, or other signs of a potentially serious condition.
Can pregnant women see a chiropractor?
Some pregnant patients receive appropriately modified chiropractic care for musculoskeletal discomfort. Because pregnancy involves unique health considerations, treatment should be provided by someone appropriately trained and should be coordinated with the patient’s broader healthcare needs. NCCIH recommends discussing potential risks and benefits with a healthcare provider.
What should I look for in a chiropractor?
Look for a properly licensed chiropractor who performs an appropriate evaluation, explains the proposed treatment, discusses risks and alternatives, sets realistic expectations, and refers you to another healthcare professional when your condition requires different care.
