| Have you ever asked yourself, "What's the best | | | | complaint of sore muscle or back they will usually |
| doctor for my problem?" Many people spend | | | | give an injection, an anti-inflammation prescription, |
| more money than they need to because they | | | | and referral to a physical therapist or chiropractor. |
| don't go to the right doctor to begin with. In | | | | For the complaint of sore muscle or backache a |
| today's health care and economy it is very | | | | chiropractor is simply the best choice. A |
| important to get this right the first time. | | | | chiropractor will be more cost effective in the |
| People make the mistake of going to a medical | | | | long run as well. A chiropractor will decide whether |
| doctor because they do not understand what a | | | | the complaint is beyond their scope of practice |
| chiropractor does. A chiropractor is a holistic health | | | | and refer to a MD if necessary. |
| practitioner healing the body naturally without the | | | | If the complaint is internal or out of the ordinary |
| use of drugs or surgery. | | | | in nature a MD is the best choice. A viral or |
| A chiropractor is known for something called the | | | | bacterial infection is best treated by a medical |
| chiropractic "adjustment." This is performed when | | | | doctor. Also conditions such as heart or lung |
| a chiropractor finds an area in the spine that is | | | | issues should be evaluated by a cardiologist or |
| motion "restricted" or mis-aligned. Other things a | | | | pulmonologist, which are medical doctor specialties. |
| chiropractor does on a routine office visit, | | | | Chiropractor versus MD summary: |
| electrical stimulation, rehabilitation, nutrition advice, | | | | Chiropractor: adjustments, muscle techniques, |
| acupuncture, muscle techniques, functional | | | | nutritional counseling, acupuncture, sports rehab, |
| screening and training, and refer to a medical | | | | functional screening and training, physiotherapy |
| doctor. | | | | (electrical stimulation), referral to medical doctor. |
| A medical doctor or general practitioner takes the | | | | Medical Doctor: Evaluate vital signs, evaluate |
| patient's vitals or has a nurse do this (blood | | | | internal structures, steroidal injections, prescription |
| pressure, respiratory rate, temperature, pulse). | | | | medication, surgery, medical specialties, referral to |
| They will then look in the patient's eyes, ears, and | | | | physical therapist, or chiropractor. |
| mouth. After this they will usually write a | | | | More information on the breakdown of |
| prescription. If the patient presents with a | | | | chiropractor versus doctor can be found here. |