Do chiropractors prescribe drugs or medications? This question gets asked at my office more than you might think. The answer, for now, is no. Chiropractors do not prescribe medications, and in most states, they are forbidden from doing so. So, you might ask, how do chiropractors help people if they don't prescribe medication?
Before I answer that question, let me divulge some statistics regarding prescription medications. Mayo Clinic, one of the most trusted medical sources in the world, stated that 70% of all Americans take at least one medication. They also state that 50% of Americans take at least two medications, and 20% of Americans are on at least five medications. It's important to note that there is not a single medication out there that is not responsible for at least one death annually. Therefore, these numbers, when expounded, are staggering given the numbers of deaths they cause. Now, I am not advocating for the dismantling or death of prescription drugs, but rather I am trying to get people to understand the magnitude of how many drugs are prescribed in this country and the impact they can have.
Chiropractors look at the body differently than medical doctors do. Most chiropractors believe that the body is capable of getting better, without much help, if all parts of the body are working properly. Think about this example: Remember the last time you got a bad scrape that bled for a short period of time. Did you have to do anything to get that to stop bleeding? The answer is no. Furthermore, did you have to do anything to get that wound to heal? The answer is, again, no. Your body healed that wound without any problem.
Now, there can be roadblocks to the healing process that cause widespread issues, such as joint misalignment and nervous system interference. This is at the heart of what chiropractors believe and work on on a daily basis. Most chiropractors find misalignments of the spine, correct them, and as a result, the patient gets better (and then feels better) faster and more efficiently.
Put simply, chiropractic care, at least the way I practice it, helps the body help itself — and that is why patients get better and feel better. If you’d like to learn more, give me a call or stop in!