Not too long ago, chiropractic care was scoffed at by internists and other physicians.
But as time went on and chiropractics established itself more and more as part and parcel of acceptable healthcare, it soon became obvious that chiropractors attained real results in their care of patients, and soon the word spread and many patients flocked to the waiting rooms of chiropractors all across the country.
Physicians noticed that some patients were relieved of long time ailments and suddenly no longer needed weekly shots or monthly prescriptions. They could also take up new hobbies and live in ways they never thought they would be able to again.
Before long, chiropractics came under close governmental scrutiny and with the institution of proper licensing and educational requirements, nothing stood in the way of open access to chiropractic anymore – or so many thought.
Insurance agencies were a lot slower to permit chiropractic care to fall under the umbrella of covered medical expenses and as such, they managed to severely limit patient access to chiropractors.
But after a while, this hurdle was also overcome. Today, insurance companies recognize chiropractors as primary care physicians.
While this is a very positive step for patients, it has been a bit of a challenge to chiropractors of the old school who still view themselves as alternative healers and have little use for other medical disciplines.
While this may have caused problems for a few, the majority of chiropractors embraced their new found status and have found great ways of sharing their findings and using them to improve their overall patient care.
Chiropractors as primary care physicians now assess the health risks of patients who may present a multitude of ailments, some of which are dependent on proper medical care involving medications.
As such, they are not only responsible for assessing the possible problems that a patient’s health history may present, but also for compiling a comprehensive record of health information. They consult with other healthcare providers on an as-needed basis to ensure that facts are made available to anyone who is involved in the patient’s overall care.
In addition to this sometimes hard to fathom balancing act lies the idea that as a chiropractor and thus a member of the medical arts, it falls on the chiropractor to engage in lifestyle counseling of the patient.
As such, there are sometimes differences between the ideas of the chiropractor with her or his roots in the alternative healing community and the more conventional physicians whose philosophy may quite possibly be “better living through chemistry.”
However, involving the patient in the care makes it possible for the chiropractor to become that primary care physician, and ensures that the patient receives the care she or he deserves, as well as an alternative angle on healing, which can also be very useful.
