A chiropractor is a licensed healthcare professional who assesses and manages musculoskeletal conditions, with particular focus on the spine and joints. Chiropractors use hands-on assessment and conservative, non-surgical methods to address pain, restricted movement, and related physical symptoms. Their training focuses on the spine, joints, muscles, movement, physical function, and related nerve symptoms.
This guide explains what chiropractors do, how their training and professional title differ from those of a medical doctor, what chiropractic care generally involves, and what to expect if you’re considering chiropractic care in Chicago.
- A chiropractor is a licensed healthcare professional trained to assess and manage musculoskeletal conditions, particularly those involving the spine and joints.
- Chiropractors hold a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) degree, which follows a different education and training path from an MD or DO. In Illinois, chiropractic physicians are recognized under the same Medical Practice Act, but they have a distinct scope of practice.
- Chiropractic care includes more than spinal adjustments. A plan of care may also involve manual therapy, mobility work, exercise guidance, and patient education.
- A chiropractic evaluation helps determine whether chiropractic care may be appropriate for a specific concern or whether another type of evaluation or care makes more sense.
- Evidence for chiropractic care varies by condition and by the specific technique studied, so outcomes are not guaranteed.
- Some symptoms or health circumstances may require additional medical evaluation, referral, or co-management rather than chiropractic care.
What Is Chiropractic Care?
Chiropractic care is a form of conservative, manual healthcare that focuses on assessing and managing musculoskeletal conditions involving the spine, joints, muscles, and related nerve symptoms. The term describes the type of care provided, while “chiropractor” refers to the licensed professional who provides it.
In practice, chiropractors assess musculoskeletal problems such as restricted joint movement, muscle tension, and other factors that may affect movement, physical function, and comfort. They use physical examination and, when appropriate, hands-on techniques such as spinal or joint manipulation as part of a broader plan of care.
It is worth noting a common misconception early: chiropractic care is not limited to spinal adjustments. Many chiropractors also incorporate manual therapy, therapeutic exercise, mobility work, and patient education. The specific approach depends on the condition, the patient’s health history, clinical findings, and the chiropractor’s professional judgment.
What Do Chiropractors Do?
Chiropractors evaluate patients for musculoskeletal problems and provide conservative care aimed at supporting movement, physical function, and comfort. The process typically begins with an assessment and may progress to an individualized plan of care that includes manual treatment, exercise recommendations, and guidance related to posture or daily movement habits.
How Do Chiropractors Evaluate Musculoskeletal Problems?
A chiropractic evaluation generally begins with a health history, including current symptoms, previous injuries, relevant medical conditions, and any red-flag symptoms that may require medical attention before treatment proceeds.
The chiropractor may then perform a physical examination that assesses areas such as posture, range of motion, joint mobility, muscle function, and neurological findings when relevant.
The goal is twofold: identify findings that may help explain the patient’s symptoms and determine whether chiropractic care is a reasonable option. Not every condition is suited to chiropractic treatment. When findings suggest that another type of evaluation or treatment is needed, referral or co-management with an appropriate healthcare professional may be the proper next step.
What Types of Care Can Chiropractors Provide?
Depending on the evaluation, a chiropractor may use manual therapy, spinal or joint manipulation, and joint mobilization techniques to address joint mobility and certain musculoskeletal symptoms.
A plan of care may also include rehabilitative exercise, stretching, strengthening recommendations, and practical guidance related to posture, ergonomics, and movement habits.
Patient education is another important part of chiropractic care. Helping patients understand factors that may be contributing to their symptoms can support informed decisions about treatment, activity, and self-management.
The exact techniques and treatment approach can vary depending on the practitioner, patient, and condition being evaluated.
Are Chiropractors Doctors or Physicians?
Chiropractors are doctors in the sense that they hold a professional doctoral degree, a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC), but they are not medical doctors (MDs) or doctors of osteopathic medicine (DOs).
The distinction matters because these professions follow different education pathways and have different scopes of practice.
What Does DC Mean?
DC stands for Doctor of Chiropractic. It is the professional degree awarded after completing an accredited chiropractic education program that includes classroom instruction and supervised clinical education.
In the United States, Doctor of Chiropractic programs accredited by the Council on Chiropractic Education (CCE) follow standards requiring at least 4,200 instructional hours, including a minimum of 1,000 instructional hours in the clinical workplace, where patient care and clinical decision-making are central components.
A chiropractor uses “DC” after their name to identify this specific professional credential.
Is a Chiropractor a Medical Doctor?
No. A chiropractor is not a medical doctor.
MDs and DOs complete medical school and residency training and are licensed to prescribe medications. Depending on their specialty, training, and credentials, physicians may also perform surgical procedures.
Chiropractors complete a different doctoral-level professional education focused primarily on musculoskeletal assessment and conservative care. Their chiropractic license does not authorize prescription medications or operative surgery.
These are separate healthcare professions with different training pathways and scopes. They may work together when a patient’s needs require care from more than one type of healthcare professional.
What Does "Chiropractic Physician" Mean in Illinois?
Illinois uses professional terminology that differs from many other states.
Chiropractors are licensed under the same law that governs medical doctors and osteopathic physicians, the Illinois Medical Practice Act, and are statutorily defined as chiropractic physicians.
Under the Act, a chiropractic physician is a person licensed to treat human ailments without the use of drugs and without operative surgery. The Act also states that nothing in it authorizes a chiropractic physician to prescribe drugs.
The Act further defines “physician” as a person licensed to practice medicine in all of its branches or a chiropractic physician.
In practical terms, Illinois law recognizes licensed chiropractors as chiropractic physicians under the Medical Practice Act, while their statutory scope remains different from that of physicians licensed to practice medicine in all of its branches.
This Illinois-specific terminology is particularly relevant for patients evaluating chiropractic care in Chicago.
What Can Chiropractors Do and What Is Outside Their Scope?
Illinois law defines chiropractic physicians as professionals licensed to treat human ailments without the use of drugs or operative surgery.
Within that legal scope, chiropractic practice may include conservative approaches such as manual therapy, spinal or joint manipulation, rehabilitative exercise, movement guidance, and patient education when appropriate.
Chiropractic physicians are not licensed to prescribe medication or perform operative surgery.
When findings suggest that additional diagnostic testing, medical management, specialist evaluation, or surgical consultation may be needed, referral or co-management with another healthcare professional may be appropriate.
For a closer comparison of professional roles and scope, the distinction between a chiropractor and an osteopath can help clarify how these professions differ.
How Does Chiropractic Care Work?
Chiropractic care generally follows a clinical process that includes assessment, identification of relevant musculoskeletal findings, selection of appropriate conservative treatment, and monitoring of the patient’s response.
After the initial evaluation, a chiropractor considers which findings are clinically relevant and which approaches fit the patient’s condition, health history, and goals.
Care is adjusted over time based on the patient’s response. Response varies by condition and individual. When treatment is not producing the expected response, the plan may be modified or discontinued, and additional evaluation, referral, or co-management may be appropriate.
What Is a Chiropractic Adjustment?
A chiropractic adjustment, also called spinal manipulation, involves applying a controlled force to a joint, often in the spine, with the aim of influencing joint motion and addressing certain musculoskeletal symptoms.
According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health’s information on spinal manipulation, spinal manipulation involves a practitioner using the hands or a device to apply a controlled thrust to a joint of the spine.
Chiropractors perform many spinal manipulations, although other licensed healthcare professionals, including osteopathic physicians and physical therapists, may also use forms of spinal manipulation.
The specific method, amount of force, and area treated vary according to the patient’s condition and clinical findings. Detailed adjustment mechanics, safety considerations, and what may occur during and after an adjustment belong to the dedicated Chiropractic Adjustments resource.
Does Chiropractic Care Include More Than Adjustments?
Yes.
A chiropractic plan of care may also include evaluation and reassessment, manual therapy for soft tissue, mobility work, stretching, rehabilitative exercise, and guidance related to movement, posture, and daily habits.
Patient education may also help someone understand their symptoms, treatment options, and steps they can take outside the office.
Not every patient receives every type of intervention. The approach depends on individual findings and clinical needs.
What Conditions and Concerns Do Chiropractors Commonly Evaluate?
Chiropractors evaluate a range of musculoskeletal concerns involving the spine, joints, muscles, mobility, and related nerve symptoms.
The conditions below represent general concerns that may be evaluated by a chiropractor. They do not imply that chiropractic treatment is appropriate or effective for every person with that condition.
Spine and Nerve-Related Concerns
Persistent back pain can affect movement, work, sleep, exercise, and everyday activities. A chiropractor may assess the spine, surrounding muscles, movement patterns, and other musculoskeletal findings to determine whether conservative care may be appropriate. Patients experiencing different back problems a chiropractor may evaluate may benefit from understanding how symptoms and possible contributing factors differ before treatment is considered.
Neck pain may occur with stiffness, limited range of motion, muscle tension, or symptoms extending toward the shoulders or arms. Evaluation may include joint mobility, muscle function, movement, and relevant neurological findings. Determining whether a chiropractor can help with neck pain depends on the cause of the symptoms and whether the condition is appropriate for conservative care.
Sciatica commonly refers to pain, tingling, numbness, or other symptoms that follow the path of the sciatic nerve, often from the lower back or buttock into the leg. A chiropractor may evaluate lumbar movement, neurological findings, and other factors that could contribute to the symptoms. Whether a chiropractor can help with sciatica depends on the underlying cause and individual clinical findings.
A herniated disc may be associated with localized back or neck pain as well as nerve-related symptoms extending into an arm or leg. Evaluation may include health history, movement testing, neurological screening, and consideration of whether additional testing or specialist evaluation is needed. Understanding whether a chiropractor can help with a herniated disc starts with determining the nature and severity of the condition.
Some headaches have a musculoskeletal component, such as cervicogenic headaches associated with structures in the neck. This differs from headaches caused by other medical conditions, which may require different evaluation or care. People researching chiropractic care for migraines should understand that headache types differ and that treatment suitability depends on the specific diagnosis and contributing factors.
The term “subluxation” may appear in chiropractic discussions, although its meaning can differ between chiropractic and conventional medical contexts. A chiropractic evaluation may assess joint motion and related musculoskeletal findings to determine whether they are relevant to a patient’s symptoms.
“Pinched nerve” is a common phrase used to describe symptoms associated with nerve irritation or compression. These symptoms may include pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness along the affected nerve’s distribution. Evaluating whether a chiropractor can help with a pinched nerve involves considering spinal movement, joint mobility, neurological findings, and the underlying cause of the symptoms.
Musculoskeletal symptoms can also develop after a vehicle collision. The decision about when to consider seeing a chiropractor after a car accident depends on the symptoms, injury circumstances, and whether additional medical evaluation is needed.
Joint, Mobility and Posture Concerns
Shoulder pain may involve limited range of motion, muscle tension, joint irritation, previous injury, or repetitive strain. A chiropractic evaluation may consider movement of the shoulder along with nearby areas such as the neck and upper back to help identify relevant musculoskeletal factors.
Carpal tunnel syndrome can involve numbness, tingling, discomfort, or weakness affecting the hand and wrist. Evaluation may consider the symptoms, wrist and upper-extremity function, nerve-related findings, and whether another type of medical evaluation is appropriate.
Ankle pain or stiffness may affect walking, balance, or normal activity. Evaluation can include range of motion, surrounding joints, soft tissue, previous injuries, and movement patterns. Related symptoms involving the foot may raise questions about whether a chiropractor can help with foot pain.
Joint pain can affect the hips, shoulders, knees, or other mobile joints and may have many possible musculoskeletal causes. Assessment may consider mobility, muscle function, symptoms during activity, and previous injuries. People dealing specifically with hip discomfort may want to understand how a chiropractor evaluates hip pain and what factors determine whether conservative care is appropriate.
Joint stiffness may restrict movement or make everyday activities uncomfortable. Evaluation can include range of motion, muscle tension, joint mobility, and accompanying symptoms. Some people also notice clicking, popping, or grinding sounds, sometimes described as crepitus, which may or may not be clinically significant depending on the circumstances.
Postural concerns may be associated with prolonged sitting, repetitive movement, work habits, muscle function, or movement patterns. Assessment may consider spinal posture, mobility, muscle function, and everyday activities. Understanding how chiropractic care can support posture requires looking at the person’s individual symptoms and functional needs rather than posture alone.
Pregnancy and Pediatric Chiropractic Care
Chiropractic care is sometimes sought during pregnancy for musculoskeletal discomfort associated with physical, postural, and biomechanical changes. Evaluation and any manual techniques should account for individual suitability, symptoms, health history, and stage of pregnancy. People considering care may want to understand whether it is appropriate to go to the chiropractor while pregnant before beginning treatment.
Some chiropractors evaluate pediatric patients for age-appropriate musculoskeletal concerns. Assessment methods and any manual techniques should be appropriate for the child’s age, development, symptoms, and individual circumstances, with safety and suitability guiding clinical decisions.
What Should You Expect When Seeing a Chiropractor?
A first chiropractic visit generally begins with an evaluation before treatment is considered, followed by a discussion of findings and possible next steps.
First Visit and Evaluation
During an initial visit, expect to discuss your health history and current symptoms.
A physical and musculoskeletal examination may include assessment of posture, range of motion, joint mobility, muscle function, and movement patterns related to the concern being evaluated.
When symptoms suggest a condition outside the appropriate scope of chiropractic care, additional diagnostic testing or referral to another healthcare professional may be recommended before treatment begins.
Treatment Planning and Follow-Up
Based on the evaluation, a chiropractor may recommend a plan of care tailored to the clinical findings.
This may include a follow-up schedule, specific conservative techniques, exercise recommendations, or activity modification.
Follow-up visits allow the chiropractor to monitor response and reassess progress. Treatment may be continued, modified, concluded, or accompanied by referral or co-management depending on how the patient responds.
Does Chiropractic Care Work?
Evidence for chiropractic care varies by condition and by the specific treatment being studied.
Spinal manipulation may lead to small improvements in pain and function for adults with some forms of acute or chronic low-back pain, according to NCCIH’s review of research on spinal manipulation. Evidence for other uses may be more limited or mixed, so there is no single conclusion that applies to every condition or patient.
This is why evaluation matters. It helps determine whether a particular type of conservative care may be appropriate based on the individual’s symptoms, clinical findings, and health history.
Because evidence varies substantially by condition, what current research shows about chiropractic effectiveness is best considered alongside the specific problem being addressed.
Is Chiropractic Care Safe?
The safety of chiropractic treatment depends on the technique being used, the area being treated, and the patient’s health and individual risk factors.
According to NCCIH guidance on spinal manipulation, transient mild-to-moderate effects such as increased pain or discomfort, stiffness, or headache often occur after spinal manipulation or mobilization, and most resolve within 24 hours.
Serious adverse events have been reported but are very rare, and there are no accurate estimates of how often they occur. Appropriate screening, clinical judgment, and technique selection are therefore important.
When Chiropractic Care May Not Be Appropriate
Certain symptoms may require medical evaluation before or instead of chiropractic treatment.
Examples include findings that could indicate a fracture, infection, significant neurological problem, or another red-flag condition requiring additional evaluation.
Understanding chiropractic diagnosis, red flags, and referral guidelines helps explain why some findings require medical evaluation, referral, or co-management instead of proceeding directly with chiropractic treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. In Illinois, chiropractic physicians are licensed to treat human ailments without the use of drugs or operative surgery. The Illinois Medical Practice Act also does not authorize chiropractic physicians to prescribe drugs. This scope distinction is particularly relevant when considering whether chiropractors can prescribe medication.
A chiropractor, or DC, and an osteopathic physician, or DO, follow different education and licensing pathways. A DO completes medical school and residency training and is licensed as a physician who may prescribe medication and, depending on specialty and credentials, perform surgery. A DC completes a Doctor of Chiropractic program and practices within the applicable chiropractic scope of practice, which does not include prescribing medications or performing operative surgery in Illinois.
Chiropractors who complete a Doctor of Chiropractic program hold the professional degree Doctor of Chiropractic (DC). In Illinois, the licensed profession is formally designated Chiropractic Physician by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. A DC is distinct from an MD or DO, so professional credentials should be presented clearly to help patients understand which type of healthcare professional they are seeing.
Chiropractic Care in Chicago at Lex 4 Health
If you’re in Chicago and considering chiropractic care, understanding what chiropractors do, what their professional scope includes, and how Illinois defines the profession can help you make a more informed decision.
If you’re looking for chiropractic care in Chicago, IL, Lex 4 Health provides individualized evaluation to help determine whether chiropractic care may be appropriate for a particular musculoskeletal concern.
When a concern requires another type of evaluation or treatment, referral or co-management with an appropriate healthcare professional may be part of responsible care.
If you’re dealing with a musculoskeletal concern and want to determine whether chiropractic care may be appropriate, discussing your specific symptoms and circumstances is a reasonable next step.
Each of our team member brings specialized expertise and a patient-centered approach to ensure you receive the highest level of care.
