It doesn’t take long to find health care-related references in today’s media identifying modern challenges people face with issues such as health insurance the opioid epidemic, obesity and other chronic conditions. Everyone is seemingly concerned about the rising cost of health care and the need for greater predictability as to the outcome of various treatments. One health care discipline that transcends much of the disquieting talk about health care is chiropractic care.

Doctors of chiropractic are healthcare professionals that concentrate on the care and prevention of disorders of the musculoskeletal system, with particular attention to the care and treatment of the spine. Chiropractors care for patients that have concerns about back and neck pain, headaches and pain in the joints and the extremities. Chiropractors begin by diagnosing musculoskeletal conditions, and then rendering treatment that may help people feel better, but the true value of the service is the functional outcomes that are often achieved such as improved mobility, stability and performance in activities essential for daily life.

Patient satisfaction with chiropractic care is consistently among the highest of all the health professions, reaching into the 90th percentile. Approximately 35 million American adults receive chiropractic care each year and rate their treatment as “very effective”, and that the quality of care was a “good value for the money.” These results were derived from evaluating patient experiences across the age and condition spectrum.

Those that have not tried chiropractic care may find a chiropractor nearby and visit the office to see firsthand what chiropractic has to offer. The chiropractor will explain the basic tenets of this conservative approach to health care that recognizes the basic ability of the human body to maintain healthy equilibrium and positive response to the environment. The chiropractor will explain the examination, report of findings and recommendations for treatment that are part of the chiropractic approach.

Chiropractors utilize specific procedures in examination; manual techniques such as adjustments, manipulations and soft tissue releases; therapeutic modalities and exercise; and counseling services for topics including nutrition, exercise, stress management, restorative sleep and supporting good posture. Chiropractors are also well-trained to determine when a patient needs to be referred to another caregiver.

Now is the time to add chiropractic to an overall wellness health plan and join the millions of Americans that include chiropractors in their personal team of healthcare providers to add a non-invasive, drug-free approach to optimized healthy living.

Fred Zuker is vice president of institutional advancement at Parker University, located at 2540 Walnut Hill Ln., in Dallas. For more information, call 972-438-9355 or visit Parker.edu.