Chiropractic treatment uses hands-on manipulation and adjustment to relieve pressure on nerves caused by misalignment of the body structures. Chiropractic is based on the theory that the nervous system controls all body functions and that abnormal nerve function results in disease. Manipulation and adjustment is performed to correct alignment abnormalities that cause impaired nerve function.

Doctors of Chiropractic

Not all Doctors of Chiropractic (DC) have the same education or practice the same way. The minimum education required to become a Doctor of Chiropractic is two years of college, followed by four years in a school of chiropractic medicine. Passing a national-board examination and becoming state-licensed is required to practice.

Some chiropractors only practice spinal manipulation, while others practice spinal manipulation and recommend other treatments too, which may include physical therapy, counseling, and nutritional advice. The former are affiliated with the International Chiropractors Association (www.chiropractic.org), while the latter are affiliated with the American Chiropractic Association (www.amerchiro.org). There are over 60,000 Doctors of Chiropractic in the United States with active licenses to practice.

Spinal manipulation is not recommended for patients with rheumatoid arthritis of the neck. Even for others, a cervical x-ray should precede spinal manipulation.

Popular Alternative

According to the American Chiropractic Association, approximately 7.4 percent of the population used chiropractic care in 2002 (the last available statistics). The percentage was higher than yoga, massage, acupuncture, or diet-based treatment. National surveys have revealed that patients prefer chiropractic treatment to medical care for back and neck pain, but that includes all causes of back and neck pain.

For arthritis, studies are often small. One study, several years old, is still frequently referred to if you search for information about chiropractic treatment for arthritis. The study found that of more than 200 patients who responded to a survey, 63 percent who visited a rheumatologist for osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or fibromyalgia also tried some type of alternative or complementary treatment. Chiropractic was the most used alternative treatment, with 31 percent of respondents having tried it at least once. Among forms of alternative treatment that were regularly used, chiropractic placed second behind herbal remedies, and was followed by copper bracelets and magnets, electric stimulators, and dietary supplements. Of the patients who tried chiropractic treatment, 73 percent said it was helpful. Only 45 percent had told their doctors about using an alternative treatment, but 71 percent of the rheumatologists approved of it.

Reasons given for using chiropractic care or other alternative treatments were what you might expect: to control pain, heard it would help, it's considered safe, a family member or friend was helped by it, and prescription medications are not working.

However, since this popular study was reported, many new arthritis drugs have been approved and marketed, including the biologics. It is possible that the percentages have shifted and that patient satisfaction with prescription medications and conventional treatments has improved. If you aren't satisfied with your conventional treatment, discuss chiropractic care with your rheumatologist.