Until recent decades, there were many medical plans that did not cover chiropractic care. Thus if you chose chiropractic care, you would have to pay for the chiropractor yourself. This is not the case now and even Medicare will cover certain adjustments.

Based on the treatment of subluxation for the relief of pain, chiropractors have several different techniques to ease the suffering of their patients. They do not use invasive procedures or prescribe medicines. They are an autonomous profession that operates under the strict guidelines.

There are two schools of thought among chiropractors. There are 'straights' who emphasize spinal adjustments, vitalism and innate intelligence for treatment. They also believe that treatment of subluxation will result in the proper energy flow of the body and allow the body to heal itself.

Mixers are open to some alternative and mainstream medical practices. Often they include treatments such as nutritional supplementation, massage and exercise as part of their everyday care. This group is much larger than the straights and will also direct patients of medical doctors more freely, if necessary.

When chiropractic care is performed by an experienced chiropractor, it is very safe. Often it is also more cost effective than other types of alternative medicine. Their prime treatment is that of back and neck pain. These treatments have been studied scientifically and in most cases have proven to be effective.

Spinal manipulation or adjustment is the primary treatment in chiropractic treatment. It is a manual maneuver that takes the three joint complex beyond the normal range of movement but not to the point of damaging the joint. Dynamic thruse is the governing theory behind this practice.

There are several different techniques used by the chiropractor:

* Diversified: this is a full spine manipulation

* Activator: a spring loaded piece of equipment that is used in certain areas of the spine.

* Gonstead: avoids rotational vecors and will evaluate the spine along with adjustment.

* Medicine assisted manipulation involves the teamwork of anesthesia and chiropractic to perform certain manipulations under anesthesia.

* Trigger point: these are the small knotted muscles that the chiropractor will attempt to release. When pressure is placed on the knot, the discomfort will radiate to other parts of the body as well.

* Ice packs are often prescribed to relieve pain and some swelling.

After dentistry and medicine, chiropractic is the most populated alternative profession in the medical field. The majority of patients who consult for chiropractic care come with the complaint of back or neck pain. More specifically, low back pain holds the largest percentage of patient contacts. Often chiropractic treatment is a complementary form of medicine that is used with the mainstream medical treatment.

Within the United States, there has been legislation that requires those who provide health care insurance to cover chiropractic care. In Canada it is not covered under the public health program. In Australia private health care may cover and dome of the federal government will fund chiropractic care if ordered by a medical doctor.