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Chiropractic Medicine

What is Chiropractic Medicine?

Chiropractors treat ailments of the musculoskeletal system and symptoms occurring after accidents and sports injuries.

Mobility and absence of pain are essential to a healthy life and general well-being. Even minimal blockages in the spine or other joints can restrict movement and performance.

The chiropractor’s core competence lies in the treatment of low back pain including the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of dysfunction and musculoskeletal pain. In diagnostics and treatment, chiropractors focus on the mobility of the spine, joints, muscles, and their interaction.

The treatment plan may involve one or more manual adjustments, in which the doctor manipulates the joints, using a controlled, sudden force to improve range and quality of motion. In addition to the mechanical adjustment, the chiropractic treatment also brings reflexive pain relief, which leads to relaxation of the muscles, improves blood circulation and thus promotes healing of the tissue.

For a successful and individualized treatment, the chiropractor draws on different techniques. These may include spinal mobilization and joint manipulation, muscle relaxation and pain-relieving techniques such as kinesiology, distraction and trigger point techniques. Neural therapy, dry needling, and shock wave therapy are also effective treatments for painful disorders.

When Should You See a Chiropractor?

80% of the population suffers at least once in their lives from back pain and the consequent symptoms.

Affected are members of every age and occupational group. Chiropractic medicine takes this into account by diagnosing and treating each symptom individually.

During the initial visit, the chiropractor will take the patient’s health history, perform a physical examination, and possibly other examinations or tests such as x-rays. Once the chiropractor has a clear picture of the ailment, the doctor will develop a treatment plan. If the chiropractor determines that the ailments cannot be treated with the help of chiropractic medicine, the patient is assigned to the appropriate specialists.

The Zentrum für Chiropraktik treats among others:

  • Headaches and migraines
  • Low back pain
  • Pain in the shoulder and neck area
  • Pain in the hip
  • Knee pain
  • Sciatic nerve pain
  • Sports injuries
  • Muscle tensions
  • Discomforts during pregnancy
  • Treatment and prevention of back pain

Who pays?

According to the Federal Act on University Medical Professions (Medizinalberufgesetz, MedBG), chiropractic medicine is recognized as a university medical profession. The costs are therefore covered by the basic insurance benefits. The same applies to accident insurance (UVG), military insurance (MV), and disability insurance (IV). Ordinarily, patients do not need a referral from a general practitioner or specialist.

For members of the Family Doctor Model or a HMO (Health Maintenance Organization), the family doctor is always the first point of contact. They will then refer the patient to the chiropractor. The referral is normally granted by the health insurance companies. If your health insurance company refuses chiropractic treatment, ask the patient organization, Patientenorganisation Pro Chiropraktik for help.