You wake up with a stiff neck after a week of sitting hunched over a screen, or maybe you twisted your back during a weekend pickup game. You’re sore, tight, out of alignment. You might consider seeing a chiropractor. But what does a chiropractor do exactly?
If you’ve never been to one, the services they offer might feel like a mystery. But chiropractic care can help your body move and function better without surgery or drugs. Find out the meaning of a chiropractor, the conditions they treat, how they work, and what you can expect from that first visit to your ongoing care.
What is a Chiropractor?
Chiropractors specialize in the musculoskeletal and nervous systems, especially the spine. They use hands-on techniques called spinal adjustments to gently shift joints and vertebrae back into proper alignment. Think of them as mechanics for the human frame who tune up the parts that support your everyday movements.
Unlike many traditional medical approaches, chiropractors don’t rely on medication. Instead, they help the body heal itself by using techniques that improve joint mobility, reduce nerve interference, and ease muscle tension.
What Does a Chiropractor Do to Treat Patients?
While cracking backs is the stereotype, chiropractic care does much more, including treating conditions such as:
Lower back pain
This is one of the most common reasons people see a chiropractor. Low back pain often develops due to sitting too long at a desk, lifting something the wrong way, or just years of wear and tear.
Sometimes it’s a strained muscle, other times it’s a disc issue or a postural imbalance pulling everything out of whack. A chiropractor can assess what’s going on, perform spinal adjustments to improve alignment, and help relieve the tension that’s making everything feel stiff or sore.
Neck Pain
Bad posture, stress, and even how you sleep often leads to neck stiffness or pain. It typically starts as a dull ache and turns into something that makes it hard to even turn your head. Chiropractors can gently realign your cervical spine to improve range of motion and reduce the muscle tension that keeps your neck locked up.
Headaches
Not all headaches start in your head; some start in your neck. Tension headaches are often the result of tight neck muscles or spinal misalignment, which causes nerve irritation. Chiropractors focus on reducing pressure in the upper spine and improving nervous system function, which may reduce the frequency or intensity of headaches over time.
Spinal Stenosis
Spinal stenosis occurs when the spaces within your spine narrow and put pressure on the nerves. This leads to pain, tingling, weakness and numbness in the back and limbs. Chiropractic care offers a non-invasive approach to managing this condition by using spinal adjustments, decompression therapy, and rehabilitative exercises to relieve nerve pressure, improve mobility, and reduce discomfort.
Sciatica
That sharp, radiating pain that shoots down your leg is likely sciatica due to pressure on the sciatic nerve, usually from a bulging disc or spinal misalignment in the lower back. This condition often leaves you in nagging, and even debilitating, pain. Chiropractors use specific adjustments to relieve pressure on the nerve to help reduce inflammation and ease that shooting pain.
Herniated Disk
Herniated discs often cause back pain and loss of mobility. Too often, people are given painkillers or rushed into surgery, which can bring serious risks and only short-term relief. A chiropractor can offer safe, medication- and surgery-free treatments that help patients find lasting relief and get back to living.
Whiplash
Car accidents, sports injuries, or even a sudden jolt can leave your neck and spine feeling completely thrown off. Whiplash injuries might not be obvious right away, but the stiffness, dizziness, headaches, or shoulder pain can creep in over time. Chiropractors know how to work with soft-tissue injuries and spinal misalignments to ease whiplash symptoms and support recovery.
Peripheral Neuropathy
Peripheral neuropathy is a condition that occurs when the nerves outside the brain and spinal cord become damaged or stop functioning properly. It often causes numbness, tingling, burning, or sharp pain. Causes include diabetes, injuries, infections, or exposure to toxins.
So, what do chiropractors do to treat this condition? They offer natural, non-invasive treatments that target the root cause of peripheral neuropathy instead of just masking the symptoms with medication.
What Treatments Do Chiropractors Use?
Chiropractors typically customize treatment plans to your specific needs. Common techniques include:
- Spinal adjustments: With hands or a small instrument, your chiropractor applies a quick, precise motion to improve joint alignment.
- Soft tissue therapy: Chiropractors use massage techniques, trigger point work, or stretching to loosen tight muscles and ease pain.
- Exercise guidance: When you work with a chiropractor, you might learn stretches or strengthening moves to support your spine and prevent future flare-ups.
- Ergonomic advice: A chiropractor may suggest posture tweaks, better sleep setups, or tips for lifting properly.
- Taping and bracing: For certain injuries, kinesiology tape or soft braces provide support as your body heals.
- Modalities: You might get ultrasound, heat or cold therapy, or gentle electric muscle stimulation.
Depending on your needs, you might not get every treatment. Some people need just a few quick adjustments; others benefit from a more comprehensive plan. The goal is to restore movement, reduce pain, and help your body function better inside and out.
How Do Chiropractors Become Licensed?
Becoming a chiropractor is no weekend workshop. It requires years of training, clinical experience, and licensing. The path starts with completing undergraduate studies (often in science), followed by a 3.5–4-year Doctor of Chiropractic program. Aspiring chiropractors study anatomy, physiology, neurology, radiology, and hands-on adjusting techniques. Students must also log thousands of hours of lab and patient care before graduating.
After earning their D.C. degree, chiropractors must pass the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners exams. These exams come in many parts and include specialties such as acupuncture and motor vehicle injuries. In Illinois, chiropractors obtain licenses from the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.
Additionally, Illinois chiropractors must renew their license every three years and complete continuing education to stay current.
Once licensed, chiropractic physicians in Illinois are legally recognized as doctors (D.C.). This means they’re able to diagnose and treat musculoskeletal issues. However, they can’t prescribe medication or perform surgery, but they can help you avoid those in the first place.
Is a Chiropractic Safe?
Chiropractic is one of the safest drug-free, non-invasive therapies available for musculoskeletal conditions. Research backs this up, especially for treating lower back pain.
You might experience some mild soreness after an adjustment, similar to how you might feel after a workout. These effects typically resolve within 24 hours.
Additionally, serious risks are extremely rare. Studies have shown that the risk of complications such as stroke after a neck adjustment is no higher than it is after visiting a primary care doctor. Chiropractors are trained to screen for red flags and refer out if a condition falls outside their scope.
Chiropractic care is also closely regulated. In Illinois, practitioners follow the same medical practice standards as other physicians. Boards monitor safety, ethics, and performance to help ensure patients receive responsible care.
What Can I Expect During My First Visit?
The first time you walk into a chiropractor’s office, expect an initial consultation, assessment, and maybe even a treatment.
You’ll fill out forms detailing your symptoms, lifestyle, medical history, and treatment goals. Then a chiropractor will talk with you, ask questions, and really listen. This helps them understand your situation from all angles.
Next, a chiropractor will perform a musculoskeletal exam. This includes testing your range of motion, checking your posture, feeling your spine, and evaluating nerve function. If needed, they may order X-rays or imaging to get a clear picture of your spine.
After your initial assessment, expect a full explanation of what they found. This often includes diagrams or models to help you understand your spine and joints. Then, you’ll likely get a treatment plan tailored to your needs. Some people just need a few visits; others might need more comprehensive care.
Your chiropractor may also schedule follow-up visits to track progress and adjust the plan as needed.
What Does a Chiropractor Do After My First Treatment?
Chiropractic care doesn’t have to be a lifelong commitment, but many people choose to keep it in their wellness toolkit. In the beginning, your visits may be closer together (perhaps 1–2 times a week), depending on the severity of your symptoms.
As you improve, the visits taper off. For example, after the acute pain resolves, some people choose occasional “tune-ups” once a month or every few months. Like dental cleanings or oil changes, these help prevent problems before they start.
Throughout your care, your chiropractor will empower you to take charge of your healing. That may mean stretching more, improving your posture, changing how you work, or simply becoming more aware of your body.
Whether you see your chiropractor once or a hundred times, the relationship is built on education and trust. A chiropractor helps you understand your body better and gives you tools to keep it moving freely.
Find Out if a Chiropractor is Right for You
Are you still wondering “What does a chiropractor do?” If you’re dealing with pain, tension, or stiffness, come see for yourself. Algonquin Chiropractic Center believes in a personalized, hands-on approach. Dr. Galante will take the time to listen, understand your goals, and build a plan that fits your life.
Recovering from an injury or trying to improve your posture at work? You don’t have to live with daily discomfort. If you’ve been carrying pain in your neck, back, or joints, let’s talk. We’ll help you figure out what’s going on, and if chiropractic care is right for you. Contact us to find out how we can help you feel your best again.
