When it comes to finding a doctor to help treat your illness or injury, it can be confusing knowing what type of doctor to see. We are most familiar with our primary care doctor and what to do in emergencies, but what about pain that won’t go away? Or if you need specific treatment after a car accident? Consider a chiropractor in College Park and learn more about how their natural, non-invasive approach to a variety of illnesses and injuries may be right for you.
Here are four myths about chiropractors and the truth about how chiropractors can help you.
Myth: Chiropractors aren’t doctors.
Truth: Chiropractors are medical professionals with doctorate degrees.
Chiropractors have to attend advanced levels of education after an undergraduate program in order to become a Doctor of Chiropractic. While chiropractors don’t go to medical school and therefore aren’t titled medical doctors, they are still medical professionals who provide diagnoses and treatments to the same types of injuries and ailments as a medical doctor would. Chiropractors not only complete doctoral-level education and training, but they also must get certified by the state in which they plan to practice.
Some chiropractors may have their own practice or work in a practice with other chiropractors. Other times, chiropractors may work in a practice that also includes other types of doctors, like orthopedic doctors, physical therapists, and neurologists. Some chiropractors also focus on car accident injuries. When you look for a chiropractor in College Park, you will likely find examples of both types of chiropractic practices, and there are benefits to both styles.
Many people still wonder, “Is a chiropractor a doctor?” because chiropractic care is often misunderstood. To clarify, chiropractors hold a professional doctoral degree, undergo rigorous board examinations, and are licensed by their state to diagnose and treat patients. In other words, a chiropractor is a doctor, specifically, a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC). While a DC is not the same as an MD, both are considered physicians within their fields, and both complete extensive training in anatomy, physiology, diagnosis, and clinical care.
The confusion often comes from whether a chiropractor is considered a medical doctor. The answer is no; chiropractors are not medical doctors (MDs) or osteopathic physicians (DOs). However, this does not mean they are any less legitimate or that they are not real doctors. When patients ask, “Is a chiropractor a real doctor?” it’s usually because they associate the word “doctor” only with medical school, but doctorate-level healthcare providers exist across many specialties. Dentists, optometrists, podiatrists, and chiropractors all hold doctoral degrees and are all considered doctors within their respective professions.
So, when you’re trying to determine “is a chiropractor considered a doctor?” the answer is yes, both legally and professionally. Chiropractors use the title “Doctor” in the same way that other doctoral-level healthcare professionals do, because they have completed doctoral programs, passed state boards, and earned licensure to evaluate, diagnose, and treat patients.
Myth #2: Chiropractors don’t have enough training.
Truth: Chiropractors study how to treat the whole body.
Chiropractors complete roughly the same hours of classroom training as medical doctors. A degree in chiropractic takes about four years to complete and includes clinical training where future chiropractors get hands-on experience in chiropractic techniques and working with a variety of patients. Chiropractors study the nervous system and the musculoskeletal system just like medical doctors do. In addition to learning complex anatomy, chiropractic education also focuses on how the body functions at its best and how to focus on the body as a whole.
Training for chiropractors is focused on how the nervous system functions and how it is affected by structures in your body, like your bones, muscles, and tendons. The brain communicates to the rest of the body via the nervous system and to all the nerves throughout your body. Your spinal column actually houses the nervous system and serves as a conduit for the brain’s ability to communicate effectively. When any part of your spine or supportive muscles, tendons, and other tissues is damaged or diseased, it can affect your brain’s ability to effectively communicate with the rest of your body. Chiropractic treatments seek to identify these parts that are out of place and realign them so your body can function optimally.
The educational path for chiropractors is far more extensive than many people realize. Chiropractic students typically complete thousands of hours of coursework in areas such as neuroanatomy, biomechanics, radiology, pathology, nutrition, rehabilitation, and clinical diagnosis. Much like medical students, they must spend time in supervised clinical rotations where they apply their knowledge by treating real patients. Before graduating, they must pass multiple rounds of national board examinations to ensure competence and safety.
Because the spine plays such a central role in overall health, chiropractors spend a significant portion of their training studying how spinal alignment influences nerve function, mobility, posture, pain, and even internal organ performance. Their education prepares them to not only treat pain but also to recognize red-flag symptoms that require referral to a medical doctor or other specialist. This collaborative approach is part of why chiropractic care blends so naturally into multidisciplinary settings like orthopedic clinics, physical therapy centers, and sports medicine facilities.
One of the reasons patients wonder, “Is a chiropractor a real doctor?” is because their training is simply different, not lesser than that of medical doctors. Chiropractic education focuses intensely on musculoskeletal and neurological health, conservative care, and natural healing. In contrast, medical school emphasizes pharmacology, surgery, and internal medicine. Both are essential in the healthcare system, but each is designed to meet different needs.
Myth #3: Chiropractors are dangerous.
Truth: Chiropractors use gentle, natural treatment approaches.
Chiropractic treatments are gentle, all-natural, and non-invasive. Chiropractors do not prescribe medications and prefer to focus on how the body can heal itself naturally. Seeing a chiropractor for treatment can actually help you avoid more dangerous and invasive procedures like surgery. Surgical procedures can have very long recovery periods and may come with complications. Similarly, over-medicating an injury or pain can actually mask signs and symptoms of what is really going on. Medications can also come with a risk of addiction and abuse, while chiropractic care offers a natural and effective approach to pain management.
Chiropractic adjustments are one of the more well-known types of treatments by chiropractors. Some associate adjustments with a popping or cracking sound and think this is due to bones cracking. Actually, chiropractic adjustments are a gentle way to realign vertebrae or joints, and the sound that sometimes occurs is actually the sound of air bubbles made of carbon dioxide. Adjustments are safe when performed by a fully trained and licensed chiropractor.
It’s also worth noting that chiropractors are extensively trained to screen for conditions that are not appropriate for chiropractic care. If something falls outside a chiropractor’s scope, such as a fracture, infection, or neurological emergency, they will refer you to the appropriate medical professional. This reinforces an important point: because a chiropractor is a doctor trained in diagnosis, they know when conservative care is appropriate and when a patient needs a different kind of specialist.
Research consistently shows that chiropractic care is one of the safest drug-free, non-invasive treatments for back pain, neck pain, headaches, and joint issues. When performed by a licensed and trained chiropractor, the risk of serious complications is much lower than the risks associated with many common medications or procedures.
Myth #4: Chiropractors only work on the spine.
Truth: Chiropractors can treat disorders of the whole body.
Contrary to popular belief, chiropractors do more than just crack your back! In fact, chiropractors can help with muscle and nerve disorders, too. While chiropractic adjustments focus on the spine and joints, these techniques involve nearby muscles and tissues that support those bones. Chiropractors focus on you as a whole person and can also use chiropractic adjustments to help relieve ailments like headaches, herniated discs, poor blood flow, and irritable bowel syndrome. It is also a natural way to combat anxiety, depression, and other mental health disorders.
Chiropractors often incorporate additional therapies into treatment plans, like soft tissue work, therapeutic exercise, lifestyle coaching, nutritional guidance, and ergonomic recommendations. Because of their extensive understanding of biomechanics and nerve function, they are well-equipped to help with issues affecting the shoulders, hips, knees, wrists, ankles, and even TMJ disorders.
Many chiropractic patients also see improvements in sleep quality, immune function, stress levels, and overall mobility. Chiropractic care is increasingly recommended by medical professionals, physical therapists, and orthopedic surgeons when conservative care is appropriate. While a chiropractor is not a medical doctor, they are considered part of the healthcare team and often work closely with MDs to support comprehensive patient care.
If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Is a chiropractor considered a doctor?” or wondered how their training compares to other professionals, the short answer is that chiropractors are highly trained, licensed, doctoral-level healthcare providers who specialize in diagnosing and treating musculoskeletal and nervous system conditions. They may not be medical doctors, but they are real doctors with a distinct and valuable role in patient care.
What to Expect When You Visit a Chiropractor at AICA Orthopedics
If you’ve never been to a chiropractor before, or if you’ve only received care in a traditional chiropractic office, you might be surprised by how comprehensive the experience is at AICA Orthopedics. Because we combine chiropractic care with medical, orthopedic, neurological, and physical therapy services under one roof, your visit is designed to be both comfortable and exceptionally thorough. Your first appointment begins with a detailed consultation where your chiropractor listens closely as you describe your symptoms, health history, lifestyle factors, and recent injuries. This allows your provider to understand the full context of your pain rather than focusing solely on isolated symptoms.
Physical Examination and On-Site Imaging
After the initial conversation, your chiropractor will perform a physical evaluation. This may include testing your range of motion, neurological assessments, postural analysis, muscle strength testing, and orthopedic exams. One of the key advantages of choosing AICA Orthopedics is immediate access to on-site imaging such as X-rays, CT scans, or MRIs. If your chiropractor recommends imaging, you won’t need to travel anywhere else. These services are available in the same building, often during the same visit! This helps your AICA chiropractor to quickly identify misalignments, joint concerns, soft-tissue injuries, or structural issues that are contributing to your pain.
Clear Diagnosis and Personalized Treatment Plan
Once your evaluation is complete, your chiropractor will walk you through your diagnosis in simple, understandable language. You’ll learn which areas of the spine or joints are involved, how these issues are affecting your nerves and muscles, and why they may be causing the symptoms you’re experiencing. This explanation is also a great opportunity to ask questions, especially if you’re curious about how chiropractic care integrates with orthopedic or neurological care, or if you’ve ever wondered whether chiropractors are real doctors. At AICA Orthopedics, the goal is always to make sure you feel informed and confident about your treatment plan.
Gentle, Targeted Chiropractic Treatment
Most new patients receive their first chiropractic treatment during the initial visit. This may include spinal adjustments, manual therapy, muscle-relaxation techniques, or soft-tissue mobilization. Chiropractic adjustments at AICA are gentle, precise, and tailored to your comfort level. Your chiropractor will explain each technique before performing it, ensuring you know exactly what to expect. Some patients experience immediate relief, while others notice gradual improvement over several visits as inflammation goes down, alignment improves, and the body begins to heal.
Comprehensive Care and Ongoing Support
One of the distinct benefits of choosing AICA Orthopedics is the collaborative, multidisciplinary model of care. Your chiropractor works alongside orthopedic doctors, neurologists, physical therapists, and pain management specialists. If your condition would benefit from additional therapies, such as physical rehabilitation, diagnostic testing, or orthopedic evaluation, your providers collaborate directly behind the scenes to streamline your care.
Before you leave your appointment, your chiropractor will review your personalized treatment plan, offering guidance on visit frequency, at-home exercises, posture habits, and lifestyle adjustments. Our patients can expect a clear roadmap and continued support, ensuring both short-term relief and long-term recovery.
Schedule a consultation with a chiropractor at AICA Orthopedics in College Park to learn more about how chiropractic care can help you. Our team of chiropractors and other specialists will work together to provide you with a comprehensive treatment plan so you can experience health and wellness.