3 Ways a Chiropractor is Different than a Medical Doctor
If you have a lot of experience as a patient of a Chiropractor, having been treated by an array of doctors and specialists, then you are probably well aware of the various letter combinations that sit behind any given doctor’s name. The most widely recognized designation of this type is “MD,” which stands for “Medical Doctor.” However, if you have back problems or any number of other common health conditions, you may decide to visit a “DC,” or “Doctor of Chiropractic.” So, what do those two letters mean? And why can’t your MD do what a chiropractor does? For your information, here are three ways a chiropractor is different than a medical doctor:
Don’t expect miracles after one visit to the chiropractor. You may feel a great sense of relief at first, but you need to realize that true healing can only happen with ongoing care. If a regimen is recommended by the chiropractor, you need to adhere to his/her instructions. Otherwise, the relief you FEEL will be short term. The chiropractor’s main goal is not to eliminate symptoms. While your symptoms will likely improve, the main goal is to ensure that your nervous, circulatory & immune systems are all functioning optimally. Your chiropractor does that by adjusting your spine.
Education.
Doctor of Chiropractic *Palmer College of Chiropractic Medical Doctor *Johns Hopkins
Anatomy 520 hours 508 hours
Physiology 520 hours 256 hours
Pathology 195 hours 401 hours
Chemistry 325 hours 200 hours
Microbiology 130 hours 114 hours
Diagnosis 520 hours 224 hours
Neurology 130 hours 112 hours
X-Ray 292 hours 48 hours
Psychiatry 65 hours 144 hours
Obstetrics/Gynecology 65 hours 198 hours
Total: 2762 hours 1697 hours
The biggest difference is that in chiropractic we’re focusing on the functioning of the body and its neurology. In medicine they focus on symptom management, primarily through pharmacology.
There are many excellent reasons for seeing a chiropractor. If you suffer from back or neck pain, you should consult a chiropractor. Even if you aren’t having any problems yet, keeping your spine properly aligned can prevent trouble from even starting. Making sure your skeletal system is in good alignment keeps you much healthier.
Licensing.
Chiropractors are required to obtain a license with their State Board of Chiropractic Examiners. Medical doctors must pass an examination given by the United States Medical Licensing Board. Both must fulfill requirements for continuing education in order to maintain their licenses in good standing.
Choose your doctor wisely.
Treatment options and methods: Chiropractors primarily deal with the functioning of your neuro-musculoskeletal (nerve, muscle, bone) system while medical doctors usually prescribe medications to manage symptoms. While medications are a valuable tool to manage a condition in a crisis, one must look to the overall functioning of the body in order to obtain maximum health. The benefit of using medication is that the result will be predictable and swift. Chiropractors use a non-invasive approach to treatment that involves manual manipulation of the spinal column to eliminate any interference to the functioning of the central nervous, immune and circulatory system. A chiropractor will also council you on the various lifestyle changes that would be beneficial for you. Let’s use a burning fire as a comparison. When the house is on fire you need the firemen to put the fire out. In medicine, this might be that you have high blood pressure and they need to prescribe medication (spray the water) to bring your blood pressure down to a safe range. If we carry on with the analogy… the medical doctor may prescribe a medication and tell a patient “You’ll be on this for the rest of your life.” That’s like the fire department saying “We’re going to stay here & continue to spray water so the fire doesn’t start again.” Yes, that will work but is it practical?
Chiropractors, as a rule, will work with you to change your lifestyle choices that have gotten you into the predicament in the first place. Medical doctors know that patients need to improve their diets and exercise too… but when patients see them they often time ask for the “quick fix” which is “Doc, please give me some medication so I can go on with my life.” The medical doctor knows it doesn’t solve the issue but they cannot go home with the patient and force them to improve their lifestyle. Ultimately, the majority of any patient’s health issue lies in the choices they make every day; from what they eat or drink, whether or not they exercise, have a healthy stress management protocol in place or are able to sleep at night! As the patient, you have the choice to decide who is on your health management team.
Schedule your appointment with Dr. Mierzwa today at 716-965-4343.
