According to Dr. Kenneth Pelletier, author of The Best of
Alternative Medicine, “Chronic and acute pain is consistently the number one
reason why people seek complementary health care,” Furthermore, “Chiropractic
is being increasingly accepted as the primary intervention for back pain, one
of the world’s most common medical complaints.”
Chiropractic diagnosis and treatment focus on reducing pain and improving
function of the nervous, muscular, and skeletal systems of the body. The
primary treatment is manipulation to mobilize and adjust the joints and tissues
of the spine and extremities for conditions including joint disorders, neck,
low back and extremity pain, sprains and strains, and headaches.
Chiropractic or Manual Manipulation Services
Doctor of Chiropractic (Chiropractor): A contracted doctor of chiropractic is an individual who holds a degree from a chiropractic college and has met their respective states educational, examination and licensure requirements. Doctors of chiropractic receive approximately 4,800 hours of professional education. Doctors of chiropractic are state licensed in all 50 states. ASH Networks doctors of chiropractic must meet ASH credentialing criteria that includes maintenance of their license in good standing.
Doctors of Chiropractic provide the vast majority of manual manipulation
services rendered in the American health care system. ASH Networks providers
must meet ASH credentialing criteria, which includes maintenance of their
license in good standing. Doctors of chiropractic provide pre-treatment
diagnostic examination to evaluate a patient’s symptoms and to determine the
most appropriate method of treatment. Diagnostic services, in addition to
physical examination, may include X-ray examinations or blood tests when
appropriate. Chiropractors offer various treatment services including
manipulation and adjunctive therapy services for the treatment of injuries and
illness affecting the musculoskeletal systems (bones and joints).
Provider of Manual Manipulation Services: An ASH provider of manual
manipulation services is an individual, other than a doctor of chiropractic,
who has an approved clinical education in a primary specialty, such as medicine
or osteopathy, and who has learned the application of manipulative services for
the treatment of musculoskeletal conditions. Providers of manual manipulation
services include doctors of chiropractic, doctors of osteopathic medicine, and
medical doctors. These providers hold a degree from an accredited medical
college, meet ASH credentialing criteria, and hold an active professional
license in their specialty.
Providers of manual manipulation services offer pre-treatment diagnostic
examination to evaluate a patient’s symptoms and to determine the most
appropriate method of treatment. Diagnostic services, in addition to physical
examination, may include X-ray examinations or blood tests, when appropriate.
These providers offer various treatment services including manipulation and
adjunctive therapy services for the treatment of injuries and illness affecting
the musculoskeletal systems (bones and joints).