The most common conditions treated by doctors of chiropractic are: low back pain, neck pain and headaches, using a non-drug (with rare exception), scientific (evidence-based) and conservative approach, to patient-centered care. Chiropractic doctors also treat conditions affecting the shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, knee, and ankle, in addition to conditions like plantar fasciitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, pregnancy-related LBP, sciatica/leg pain, arm pain, and more.
Doctors of chiropractic also focus on issues related to public health and welfare such as obesity, nutrition, smoking, diabetes, cholesterol, stress management, diet and weight loss, fitness and more. And DCs also serve the military thru the Veterans Administration (VA) and Department of Defense (DOD), treat athletes including Olympians, college and professional athletes in all sports, and serve in business and industry regarding on-the-job injury prevention, pre-employment screening, health, wellness and exercise classes, and provide professional advice regarding safety and ergonomic assessments. DCs who are qualified also serve the Department of Transportation (DOT) by conducting truck driving physicals. In short, today’s doctor of chiropractic is truly a Spinal Care Specialist who does much more than simply manipulates the spine.
Secondary complaints commonly associated spine conditions may include: Neck: numbness, weakness, blurred or double vision, tiredness, fatigue, depression, irritability, ringing in the ears, fibromyalgia symptoms, just to name a few. Thoracic: pain between the shoulder blades, chest pain, difficulty breathing, gas, stomach upset, rib pain. Lumbar: low back pain, leg pain, cramps, numbness, weakness, constipation, diarrhea, gas, bloating, menstrual pain, sexual dysfunction in males, and various other signs and symptoms. By fixing the primary spinal complaint many of these other symptoms/conditions simply disappear. If they do not resolve a referral may be necessary to further diagnose or treat the condition(s).
Chiropractic physicians also treat nonmusculoskeletal conditions and common childhood conditions.