Chiropractors in California

To find a chiropractor near you, input your city, town, suburb, zip code, or a provider's name in the search bar at the top of the page. From there, you can filter by provider specialty, treatment technique, and provider gender to find a chiropractor who matches your needs.

When you visit a chiropractor's profile, you can get a better idea if they're the right fit for you. Consider things like session cost, provider specialty and technique, as well as their location. If someone seems like a good match, you can email them or call the number on their profile. When speaking with a potential chiropractor, pay attention to whether or not you feel comfortable in the conversation and how knowledgeable they are about your specific concerns. It may also be helpful to ask more about their general approach to wellbeing and what credentials they hold in chiropractic practice.

A chiropractor uses various hands-on techniques to align the body's joints, muscles, and bones, aiming to reduce musculoskeletal pain and improve mobility. Chiropractic sessions, often referred to as "adjustments," involve the chiropractor manipulating misaligned body parts through stretching and flexing movements to enhance physical functioning. Many chiropractors focus on spinal adjustments, as the spine plays a central role in core mobility and overall physical health. Additionally, some chiropractors offer complementary services as part of a holistic approach to well-being, such as mindfulness practices, aromatherapy, nutritional counseling, and other stress-reduction modalities.

However, chiropractic care may not be suitable for everyone. Individuals with broken bones, severe arthritis, or advanced nerve-related conditions should consult a medical doctor before pursuing chiropractic treatment to ensure it is safe and will not exacerbate their condition.

No, chiropractors are not medical doctors. Although many chiropractors hold a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) degree, the educational and practical training required for this degree is distinct from that required to become a licensed medical doctor. Like medical doctors, chiropractors receive specialized training in areas such as anatomy, physiology, and orthopedics, and many DC programs are four years long and require an undergraduate degree for enrollment, similar to medical school. However, DC programs focus primarily on hands-on musculoskeletal treatments and do not include training in pharmaceutical interventions. As a result, chiropractors cannot prescribe medications like medical doctors can.

Because of their different treatment modalities and training background, chiropractic services are usually seen as an adjunct to typical medical care but can nevertheless provide essential services for clients facing a variety of musculoskeletal conditions.

Chiropractors and physical therapists both aim to improve the body’s functioning and reduce pain, but their treatment approaches and training backgrounds differ significantly. Chiropractic care primarily involves hands-on adjustments to the musculoskeletal system, focusing on spinal alignment and manipulation. In contrast, physical therapy emphasizes improving mobility through targeted exercises, such as strength training and stretching routines. While both can address acute and chronic conditions, physical therapy is often time-limited and focuses on specific issues, typically requiring a referral from a primary care or orthopedic doctor. Conversely, chiropractic care is often pursued over a longer duration and may even be used preventatively, with referrals rarely needed.

The training programs for chiropractors and physical therapists also differ. Both chiropractors and physical therapists undergo 3-4 year training programs and must pass licensing examinations. However, chiropractic programs concentrate on spinal adjustment techniques, whereas physical therapy programs emphasize overall mobility and exercise-based interventions to improve physical function. Additionally, chiropractors most commonly work in private practice, while physical therapists practice in diverse settings, including hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, fitness centers, outpatient clinics, and private practices.

Most estimates of chiropractic service costs are between $60-$200 per session, depending on factors such as location, provider experience, and therapy type. There may be additional fees associated with chiropractic services, such as if the chiropractor orders X-rays or uses more advanced interventions, such as shockwave therapy. Depending on a client's insurance plan, a portion of session costs may be covered by insurance. Some chiropractors may also offer session packages or discounts, which can be a great option for clients looking to sign-up for multiple sessions at once and reduce costs.

Many insurance plans do cover chiropractor treatments but usually require a referral from a physician, such as a primary care physician or orthopedic specialist. Some insurances may also only cover specific services; Medicare Part B, for instance, will cover spinal adjustment services for the treatment of vertebral subluxation but will not cover most ancillary services provided by chiropractors, such as non-spinal adjustments or X-rays. Depending on the plan, clients may be responsible for a copayment for services and/or have a cap on the number of chiropractor sessions that are covered in a given year.