If you have been struggling with chronic back pain, sciatica, or neuropathy, you may have found yourself caught in the middle of conflicting advice. For decades, there has been a perceived divide between traditional medical doctors (M.D.s) and chiropractors (D.C.s), leaving patients wondering who to trust.
Historically, this divide stemmed from a fundamental difference in how each profession views health and healing. However, modern healthcare is changing rapidly. At Advantage Chiropractic in New Berlin, we want to dispel outdated misconceptions and explain why today’s medical professionals and chiropractors are working together to provide you with good care.
Two Different Philosophies of Healing
To understand why a medical doctor and a chiropractor might offer different advice, you have to understand their distinct training and philosophies. It is not that one is “right” and the other is “wrong”. They simply specialize in different approaches.
The Medical Approach Is “Outside In”
Medical doctors are highly trained in crisis care, pharmacology, and surgery. Their approach to disease and pain is typically “outside in.” If you have a bacterial infection, they prescribe an antibiotic to kill it. If you have severe inflammation, they prescribe a corticosteroid to suppress it. For acute trauma, infections, and systemic diseases, this model is absolutely vital and life saving.
The Chiropractic Approach Is “Inside Out”
Chiropractors specialize in the biomechanics of the spine and the function of the central nervous system. Our approach is “inside out.” We focus on how the spine and the nervous system work together. Rather than prescribing medication, we look for joint and movement problems that may be behind the pain, often a spinal misalignment (subluxation), and treat them with hands on or instrument assisted care.
The Myth of the “Disagreement”
In the past, the lack of communication between these two fields led to skepticism. Medical doctors, who were not trained in chiropractic, often did not understand the biomechanical nature of chiropractic adjustments.
Today, attitudes have changed. With concern over opioid use, many medical groups now encourage trying nondrug options for pain first. The American College of Physicians recommends that patients with low back pain start with nondrug treatments, and its guideline lists spinal manipulation as one option, along with choices such as exercise, massage and acupuncture.
Collaborative Care in New Berlin
At Advantage Chiropractic, we do not view ourselves as competitors to your primary care physician. We are a specialized extension of your healthcare team.
This collaborative approach is strengthened by our use of the Torque Release Technique (TRT). Traditional chiropractic care relied heavily on manual “cracking,” which some medical doctors viewed as unpredictable. TRT, however, is a neurologically based method. We use a handheld instrument called the Integrator to deliver precise, gentle adjustments.
We track your progress with regular reevaluations, and we work with local medical doctors, physical therapists, and neurologists in the New Berlin area when it helps your care. If, during your 54 point evaluation, we determine that your condition requires medical intervention, we will refer you to the appropriate specialist.
You Don’t Have to Choose Just One
You do not have to choose between medical care and chiropractic care. True wellness often requires an integrated approach. If you are looking for a conservative, drug free solution to your pain that works with your body’s natural healing systems, we are here to help.
Contact Advantage Chiropractic in New Berlin today to schedule your comprehensive evaluation and learn how collaborative chiropractic care can fit into your health plan.
To see what a Doctor of Chiropractic studies, read are chiropractors doctors.
This article is general information and not medical advice. Talk with your doctor about your own symptoms.
