Many of those that see a chiropractor do so for the pain relief.

Chiropractic is a very practical form of healthcare that uses hands-on therapy referred to as "manipulation" or "adjustments." It is often sought out by those who suffer from musculoskeletal ailments that involve bones, connective tissue (cartilages), joints, ligaments, muscles, and tendons.

Chiropractors believe that the structure of the body and the corresponding function are connected. They also believe that the body has an amazing ability to heal itself. The primary goal of chiropractic therapy is to help the body to heal by assisting the relationship between structure and function.

The most common complaint of those that seek out chiropractic services is chronic low back pain. Others include arthritis, headaches, neck pain, repetitive action pain, and sports injuries.

This is a type of healthcare where the patient's overall health and well-being come first. A lot of emphasis is also placed on providing natural, drug-free, non-surgical treatments that focus on the natural ability of the human body to heal itself.

Therapy can include the use of water, light, massage, ultrasound as well as different types of support materials like braces and tapes. The patient may be counseled on total life wellness, diet, lifestyle, and how to manage stress.

Patients should know that chiropractic is state regulated. Chiropractics are licensed and most states do require them to continue to maintain their licenses by attending continuing education classes.

Each state determines what services a chiropractor operating in their state can provide. Not all states license chiropractors to perform all services, so patients should check with any chiropractic organizations in their state to find out what applies to their state. There are no states in the U.S.A. in which chiropractors can be licensed to perform major surgery or prescribe drugs to their clients.

More than 50% of all HMO's and 75% of all private healthcare plans cover chiropractic services. Patients need to check with their individual health plans to see if they are covered before they receive treatments.

All states in the U.S.A. have worker's compensation benefits for chiropractic services and chiropractic services can be billed to Medicare and most states allow chiropractic services to be billed to Medicaid.

Depending on your plan of coverage, your treatments may need to be approved in advance, the number of visits covered may be limited and there may be rules about using in-network chiropractic practitioners.

It is always wise to call your healthcare plan administrator or customer service number and ask questions before receiving treatment. It is also important to let your entire healthcare team know about all treatments you are thinking about engaging in.

There is also a risk of injury from having your neck and back adjusted. You should investigate these risks before agreeing to participate in this therapy.