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What is it?
Chiropractors mainly focus on removing blockages in the spine.
Chiropractic is a therapy that assumes that many physical complaints are caused by disorders in the spine. A technique often used by chiropractors is to push back crooked or stuck vertebrae, such as in the back or in the neck. Performing quick corrections to a joint is popularly referred to as ‘cracking’.
What can you expect?
Treatments from a chiropractor mainly focus on blockages in the spine. One of the most important and well-known techniques for removing blockages is ‘squatting’. Chiropractors also master other manual techniques. In addition, you can be prescribed specific exercises from a chiropractor. A chiropractor will probably also focus on diagnostics due to his training and holistic way of thinking.
Quality
In the Netherlands there are no training courses for chiropractic yet. Various courses are offered abroad. There are two different quality registers for chiropractors in the Netherlands: the National Register of Chiropractors (SNRC) and the Netherlands Chiropractic Foundation (SCN) register. Quality criteria, such as required training, and affiliated chiropractors can be found at www.registerchiropractor.nl and www.stichtingchiropractie.nl.
The two largest professional associations for chiropractors are the Dutch Chiropractors Association (NCA) and the Dutch Chiropractic Federation (DCF). To become a member of the NCA, someone must first register with Stichting Chiropractie Nederland. Chiropractors wishing to join the DCF must also be members of the International Chiropractors Association (ICA). Members of the DCF are automatically registered with the National Register of Chiropractors Foundation. There are also practitioners who work as chiropractors and who are not members of a professional association. They are also not registered in a quality register.
Effectiveness and safety
Regular medicine does not see chiropractic as scientifically proven effective. Research has shown that ‘squatting’ in particular can entail risks. Some people actually get more complaints from that.
Compensation
Chiropractic is an alternative therapy for which you can take out additional insurance. How much you are reimbursed strongly depends on your health insurance policy. Health insurers usually reimburse one maximum amount for all alternative therapies you choose, and a maximum amount per day. For reimbursement, most health insurers require that the alternative practitioner is affiliated with a professional association recognized by them.
Sources):
- Plus Magazine