Chiropractic Scope of Practice in Treating Neck Injuries

Chiropractors see all these conditions (e.g. strained muscles, joint injuries, fracture, headaches, etc.) in practice and many other complaints associated with the neck. Chiropractors are highly educated in neurological, orthopedic, and chiropractic diagnosis of cervical spinal conditions. The first task of the chiropractor is to differentiate those conditions that are outside of what is called the 'conservative scope of practice'.

Chiropractors are conservative care doctors; that is, their scope of practice does not include the use of drugs or surgery. If a chiropractor diagnoses a condition outside of this conservative scope, such as a neck fracture or an indication of an organic disease, the patient is referred to the appropriate medical physician.

A patient may have a neck pain appropriately treated with conservative care, but also present with symptoms such as fever or throat pain that demands a medical referral. Patients presenting with significant neurological signs and symptoms are referred to a medical specialist for a second-opinion prior to initiating conservative care.