What a great hub request! As an avid user of Chiropractors and someone who has seen literal miracles through their use, it is amazing how many people are just unaware of the changes that have occurred in the field of Chiropractics in the past 5 years. Our best friends are all Chiropractors and from them we have learned quite a bit about the changes!

The first and most important change to the Chiropractic community has been the new regulations that have to be met in order to be a practicing Chiropractor. The days of old where anyone could "crack a back" are long since gone. Now Chiropractors are full fledged Doctors. Often with specialties and they all are required to be licensed X-Ray Techs as well.

In order to be a licensed board certified Chiropractor now many steps must be followed. You must complete undergraduate work, then Medical School, followed by a residency as well as an internship. They are required to pass 5 exams through their schooling on top of the State Boards. This is on top of their licenses to take and read x-rays.

There are 2 philosophies of Chiropractic care now. In the community they are called "Principled: and "Unprincipled." This is not to say that the "Unprincipled" doctors are less qualified just different philosophies in the use of Chiropractic care.

I will first explain "Unprincipled" Chiropractors because this is the group I know the least about. Notice I said least there! This group of Chiropractors feels they should be given more advantages given to Medical Doctors. After all they do complete the same amount as schooling as the most general doctor and then have the x-rays on top. The biggest difference is that this group wants to be allowed to prescribe medications (narcotics) for pain. The reason for this is simple, pharmaceutical companies pay GOOD money to doctors who prescribe their medications. "Unprincipled" Chiropractors specialize in neck and back pain. Often dealing with PIP and other insurance companies.

The "Principled" Chiropractors take a different stance. They are more religious in their practice and have a belief that our bodies were made to work a certain way, and subluxations (or spinal misalignment) prevents the body from working at it's optimal level. They do take PIP and insurance but mostly are ongoing care. It is a life style choice in other words. They like "Unprincipled" Chiropractors have the same schooling, and qualifications, they just approach it from a different direction.

Personally we go to a "Principled" Chiropractor. The thing we learned from them was that MAJOR advancements have been made on the results of continuous care. For example they have found that with regular adjustments and exercise they can actually correct permanently the misalignment's of the spine that are impinging the spinal column and nerves running to the rest of your body. (If damage has already been done to the spinal column or nerves they can not correct the damage done.) Personally when I started care I had a 12 degree scoliosis. Currently I have zero. This curvature was in my lower back, and when they corrected it, my menstrual issues and IBS completely went away. I was also able to conceive quickly which my husband and I thought would be difficult with my family history.

I had mentioned that often now the Chiropractors are specialized. As with any medical profession where you go through doctorate training, residency, and internships, they pick a speciality as well. Our Chiropractors are a husband and wife office where the husband specialized in Neurology and the wife in Pediatrics. (Yes, pediatrics. Our daughter has been adjusted since the day she was born and it has had a profound affect on her!)

Simple things you can do when looking for a chiropractor would be to ask them if they are a "pain" Chiropractor specializing in acute or immediate care, or if they are a "lifestyle" Chiropractor who offers health plans for extended periods. Also make sure that they are licensed and certified (especially if you live in FL), if you find one that isn't you can report them to the State Board and have them shut down.

The other thing to make sure you ALWAYS do is if a Chiropractic wants to adjust you without doing x-rays LEAVE!!! There are so many things in the human body that you can not see without an x-ray, they can do SERIOUS damage!

A "Principled" Chiropractor's health plan may not always be cheap (it usually isn't, I am not going to lie), but in the long run it really is.

First, it is a write off. It is medical care which you can write off.

Second if you are like me, I had my gall bladder removed and the medical doctors wanted to remove my ovary for something that was cleared up through Chiropractic care. Those alone cost me multiple thousands of dollars and would have continued without care. My husband suffered from depression and that is gone thanks to the care as well. His entire family spends over $500 per month on medications now not to mention the Doctor visits.

Third you will not get sick as often with this care which means you will miss less work, have more energy, and over all feel better.

Hopefully these tips help you to find a good Chiropractor in your area. A great resource as well is Body by God. They have a listing of doctors who specialize in the "Principled" Chiropractic care.