Are chiropractors more into preventive medicine than traditional physicians?

Question

i know that they are into adjusting spines and such, just curious about alternative medicine and preventative medicines.

Answer 1

I would like to add my experience.  I have been to several different chiropractors over the years.  Some discouraged going to a medical practitioner  and others wanted me to come in regularly even when I felt I didn't need to.  

My best Chiropractor is the current one.  He adjusts me when I think I need it.  On two occasions he sent me to a medical Dr. because he felt my condition called for it.  He is willing to work with me and the medical community in anyway I request including other alternative practitioners.

And yes my MD doesn't mind that I see a chiropractor but he won't send me.  I have to decide that for myself.  So I go to my chiropractor first and try what he suggests which costs way less than the drugs and surgery my MD suggests.

Answer 2

welff has already given a good answer about the difference between reformed and classic chiros.  And for all my rants about sCAM, I don't have much of a problem with reformed chiros, their success rate with muscular low back pain is about the same or better as massage, physio, or medication

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On the other hand, the classical ones will CLAIM to be doing preventive health care when they get you to come in for tuneups and adjustments.  There is no evidence that anything they do has any impact on health whatsoever.  The classical ones have bought into the mythology of "innate energy" and "subluxations" and the magical idea that by adjusting the spine they are maintaining the flow of energy, which in turn maintains health.

If they give advice about diet, exercise, smoking cessation then yes, they could truly be said to be giving preventive health advice.  If they crack your back at regular intervals telling you that will prevent diabetes...then they are just practicing quackery.

Answer 3

Of course, it depends on the chiropractor/doctor, but yes, most chiropractors tend to aim more for nutrition and preventative medicine than drugs and surgery (unless the drugs/surgery are needed). The best chiropractors tend to be those that are open minded and willing to work with other practitioners (whether they fully believe in the practice or not) for the health of their patient/client.

Answer 4

In theory, yes, they are.

In reality, it ultimately depends on a given practitioner's personal experience and biases. Some medical doctors, for example, are more holistically oriented, integrating natural treatments into their practices. Some practitioners of holistic healing arts, on the other hand (e.g., chiropractic, acupuncture, homeopathy), are more conventionally oriented, again, based on the person who practices.

I was part of a CAM panel for three years that included chiropractors. (CAM is an acronym for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Ours was facilitated by an MD interested in holistic healthcare, and  sponsored by a major hospital.) In this situation, I held a hearty respect for each.

Answer 5

Depends on what kind of chiropractor.  Reform chiropractors deal more with lower back pain, which is about the only thing working on someone's back has been shown to help.  

More traditional ("straight" or "mixer") chiropractors work on your back to eliminate your "subluxations", which they can't prove exist, and in some studies where they show a back x-ray to multiple chiropractors, they all diagnose subluxations, but of course no two ever seem to diagnose them in the same place on the x-ray.  Fixing subluxations is supposed to "help the body keep itself healthy".  

It's also preventative, once a month, to rub a rabbits foot all over your body, just to be safe.