Patients
WHAT IS CHIROPRACTIC?
Chiropractic is a health profession concerned with the diagnosis, treatment
and prevention of disorders of the musculoskeletal system, and the effects of
those disorders on the nervous system and general health. It is a natural, drug-free,
non-surgical approach to health care. The profession's central interest has
always been the relationship between impaired mechanics of the spinal vertebrae
and the nervous system.
HOW IS CHIROPRACTIC ADJUSTMENT PERFORMED?
Chiropractic adjustment or manipulation is a manual procedure that utilizes
the highly refined skills developed during the intensive years of chiropractic
education. The chiropractor typically uses his/her hands to manipulate the joints
of the body, particularly the spine, in order to reduce pain, and restore or
enhance joint function. Chiropractic manipulation is a highly controlled procedure
that rarely causes discomfort. Theh chiropractor adapts the procedure to meet
the specific needs of each patient. Patients often note positive changes in
their symptoms immediately following treatment.
IS CHIROPRACTIC
TREATMENT ONGOING?
The hands-on nature of the chiropractic treatment is essentially what requires
patients to visit the chiropractor a number of times. To be treatments by a
chiropractor, a patient needs to be in his or her office. In contrast, a course
of treatment from medical doctors often involves a pre-established plan that
is conducted at home (i.e. taking a course of antibiotics once a day for a couple
of weeks). A chiropractor may provide acute, chronic, and/or preventative care
thsu making a certain number of visits sometimes necessary. Your doctor of chiropractic
should tell you the extent of treatment recommended and how long you can expect
it to last.
IS CHIROPRACTIC
TREATMENT APPRROPRIATE FOR CHILDREN?
Yes, children can benefit from chiropractic care. Children are very physically
active and experience many types of falls and blows from activities of daily
living as well as from participating in sports, injuries such as these may cause
many symptoms including back and neck pain, stiffness, soreness or discomfort.
Chiropractic care is always adapted to the individual patient. It is a highly
skilled treatment, and in the case of children, very gentle.
WHAT DOES A CHIROPRACTOR TREAT?
Chiropractic is a health care profession that focuses on disorders of teh musculoskeletal
system and the nervous system, and the effects of these disorders on general
health. Chiropractic care is used most often to treat neuromusculoskeletal complaints,
including but not limited to back pain, neck pain, pain in the joints of the
arms or legs and headaches.
DO INSURANCE
PLANS COVER CHIROPRACTIC?
The majority of all insured American workers have coverage for chiropractic
services in their health care plans. For example, the federal government's Office
of Personnel Management offers chiropractic coverage for federal employees in
the Mail Handlers and BCBS benefit plans. In addition, there is a chiropractic
benefit in Federal Workers' Compensation, and chiropractic care is available
to members of the armed forces at more than 40 military bases, and is available
at nearly 30 veterans' medical facilities.
WHAT KIND OF EDUCATION DOES A CHIROPRACTOR HAVE?
Chiropractors are educated as primary contact health care practitioners, with
an emphasis on musculoskeletal diagnosis and treatment. Education requirements
for doctors of chiropractic are among the most stringent of any of the health
care professions. The typical applicant at a chiropractic college has already
aquired nearly four years of pre-medical undergraduate college education, including
courses in biology, inorganic and organic chemisty, physics, psychology and
related lab work. Once accepted into an accredited chiropractic college, the
requirements become even more demanding. Four to five academic years of professional
study are the standard. Because of the hands-on nature of chiropractic, and
the intircate adjusting techniques, a significant portion of time is spent in
clinical training. In total, the chiropractic cirriculum includes a minimum
of 4,200 hours of classroom, laboratory and clinical experience. The course
of study is approved by an accrediting agency that is fully recognized by the
U.S Department of Education.
Doctors
WHAT ARE THE
ADVANTAGES OF BEING AN MCA MEMBER?
All members receive a discount for all MCA conferences, free advertising in
all newsletters and on the website, quarterly newsletters will information pertinent
to the profession and a membership directory. The most important thing the MCA
gives its members is a voice...One chiropractor alone might be heard but a group
will definetely be heard.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO BE A MEMBER?
The cost for membership varies. It ranges from $50-450 depending on your status
as a chiropractor. Students and those that just graduated start at a lower price.
The dues increase every year until you are considered an active member. There
are discounts available for a husband/wife that want to join the association.
Retired and out-of-state members also receive a lower member rate.
The revenue collected from dues support the daily operation of the association,
maintaining an office and the association overhead, as well as a part-time Executive
Director and Attorney, fund mailings (such as newsletters), and publish a membership
directory. Dues also provide the opportunity to support educational training
for the members.
WHAT DOES THE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS DO?
The Board of Directors is the managing body for the affairs of the association.
They are actively promoting the profession and working to advance the quality
of chiropractic care.
HOW DO I BECOME
A MEMBER ON THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS?
The Board of Directors is composed of nine members, elected for three year terms,
with three members elected each year. Qualifications for an elected director
are as follows:
1. Active membership in the association, in good standing, for three continuous
years immediately preceding nomination
2. Be in the active practice of chiropractic, in Montana for the three continuous
years immediately preceding nomination or election
3. Is current in all financial obligations to the association
Nominations can be submitted to the MCA office.
WHERE DO I
FILE A COMPLAINT IF I BELIEVE A COLLEAGUE IS ACTING UNETHICALLY?
Please contact the State Board at 406-841-2390 with any information