What is Chiropractic?
Chiropractic is a primary and independent health profession.

When and where was Chiropractic born?
It is a clinical science that originated in the United States in 1895, thanks to Daniel David Palmer, who, by manual adjustment, restored hearing to a man who had become deaf as a result of trauma to his spine.

What is the purpose of Chiropractic care?
Chiropractic care urges the body's innate ability to find and maintain a balance between the biochemical aspect, the structural aspect, and the psychological aspect until a condition of total well-being is achieved. The goal of Chiropractic is to identify and eliminate the causes that lead to subluxations and then promote self-healing. And this goal is pursued without the use of drugs or invasive treatments.

What are the subluxations?
According to the basis of Chiropractic, there is a close link between the structure of the spine and the functioning of the nervous system, so any biomechanical alteration involving the spine can cause interference in nerve impulse transmission, from which altered health status can result. These dysfunctions in Chiropractic are referred to as. subluxations.

What can cause the subluxations?
Subluxations can be caused by numerous factors such as poor postures, stress, sedentary living, dietary errors, drug use, excessive alcohol or cigarette consumption, which, by weakening the neuro-muscular-skeletal system, deprive it of its original balance.

What problems does the chiropractor treat?
Chiropractic treats all problems related to the spine and joints of the human body. Also by freeing the spine from “vertebral subluxations ”it promotes the proper functioning of the body in general.

Can Chiropractic care treat herniated discs?
Many patients suffering from disorders due to herniated discs are successfully treated by Chiropractic worldwide, thus avoiding surgery.

What techniques does Chiropractic use?
Chiropractic care makes use of adjustment techniques of the nervous system so defined to differentiate them from the manipulations, employed by other manual medicines that work only on painful areas.

Are there different chiropractic techniques?
There are a number of chiropractic “adjustment” techniques that can range from light touching to applying pressure to particular points on the body. In all cases, these are techniques that are not painful for the patient.

Is Chiropractic care contraindicated in pregnancy?
No, Chiropractic is not only not contraindicated during pregnancy but, on the contrary, it can be a valuable aid to combat without drugs the possible onset of back pain, which is especially frequent from the fifth, sixth month onward. According to some U.S. statistics, Chiropractic care allows for shorter labor and a faster and pain-reduced expulsive phase.

Can one undergo chiropractic treatment on menstrual flow days?
Yes, especially if you have a painful period, because this symptom, may be related to a vertebral subluxation at the pelvis, lumbar area, and high cervical area. By adjusting these subluxations, the chiropractor can provide relief and resolve any abnormalities related to the duration and frequency of menstruation.

Can the very young resort to Chiropractic care?
Yes, even babies can benefit greatly from Chiropractic care. According to recent Danish research, infant gas colic lasts for less time and disappears sooner in babies who regularly undergo chiropractic treatment. There are many other issues that respond well to chiropractic treatment. among them it is important to mention at least earache.

What can chiropractors do for the elderly?
Using appropriate adjustment techniques, the chiropractor helps older patients improve mobility and curb the symptoms of typical diseases of old age such as osteoarthritis and osteoporosis.

Can athletes benefit from Chiropractic care?
Yes, by bringing the body back to a state of harmony and balance, Chiropractic can help sportsmen and women, professional and amateur, in two different areas: on the one hand it reduces the number of injuries and their consequences, and on the other hand it contributes to improved performance. Many leading teams, both Italian and international, have included a chiropractor on their staff.

How does the first visit to the chiropractor take place?
The first visit to the chiropractor involves three main steps:

• accurate history of the patient from birth with consideration of diseases, surgeries, drug therapies, traumatic events including psychoemotional events.
• The observation of instrumental investigations, such as radiographs and, MRIs, CT scans, ultrasound scans, blood tests, and electromyography already performed by the patient, to check his or her general health status.
• the physical investigation, aimed at checking both the postural posture and the condition of the spine, whose possible abnormalities in structure may influence or cause the current problem.

After the first assessment, the chiropractor is already able to intuit the origin of the disorder and then act with the different techniques provided by Chiropractic, choosing the one that best suits the age and psychophysical characteristics of the patient and his particular problem. The chiropractor's intervention is both corrective, in that it enhances the body's ability to recover, and preventive since, the identification of the origin of the problem allows him or her to indicate strategies that avoid the recurrence of symptoms.

How long does chiropractic treatment last?
Each chiropractor has his or her own methodology, and the result of treatment is independent of the duration of treatment.

How many treatments are needed to solve my problem?
Each case is different and requires an individual treatment course of treatment duration and frequency. In any case once optimal health has been restored, routine follow-up is highly recommended even in the absence of symptoms.

Can the chiropractor prescribe drug treatment?
No.

Can the chiropractor prescribe x-ray examinations or other checks?
No, in Italy only the general practitioner or specialist can prescribe these tests.

Is Chiropractic legally recognized in Italy? Is there an albo/order of chiropractors?
Chiropractic has been recognized as a primary health care profession within the 2008 Budget Law and is currently in the process of creating a register. In the meantime, the Italian Chiropractic Association is able to provide those who request it with a list of chiropractors with the necessary training and requirements to practice in Italy.

Are there chiropractic schools in Italy? How does one become a chiropractor?
Currently in Italy there are no schools recognized by the World Body on Chiropractic (you can download the list of these colleges by clicking on “Education” - “Colleges”). A degree in Chiropractic can be obtained abroad and the course lasts 5 years for England and France, 6 years for the United States Canada and Australia. Colleges require compulsory attendance and excellent knowledge of the language. The degree in Chiropractic is a separate degree from the degree in Medicine; one enters the colleges after obtaining a high school diploma as in our Italian universities. Obtaining, also, a medical degree is solely one's personal choice.

I have read that after the acute phase has disappeared, it is useful to undergo chiropractic treatment from time to time in order to avoid relapse.
It is very important to get occasional treatment even in the absence of symptoms from the chiropractor. Just as you go to the dentist to have your teeth cleaned, it is useful to go to the chiropractor to keep the spine free of subluxations.

Are chiropractic treatments reimbursed by insurance companies?
Insurance companies are private, non-state entities, so they decide how much and whether to reimburse a Chiropractic session by also evaluating clinical indications.

Are there facilities affiliated with the National Health System in which I can have Chiropractic care?
Some of our members work at facilities affiliated with the National Health System you need to contact the Doctor of Chiropractic and ask him for details about the facility at which he works.

Are chiropractic treatments painful?
No, chiropractic adjustments are quick and painless.

Can osteoporosis sufferers undergo chiropractic treatment?
Yes, chiropractic techniques are noninvasive, and chiropractic treatment modalities must always take into account the patient's health status. The Doctor of Chiropractic is also prepared to care for patients who may be suffering from osteoporosis.

Can Chiropractic care be given to those who have had spine surgery?
Yes, with appropriate precautions.

How much does an initial visit cost? What about subsequent treatments?
Costs vary, usually an initial visit takes longer and costs more than subsequent treatments. In any case, it is advisable to inquire directly when booking an appointment.

What is the difference between Chiropractic and Osteopathy?
The main difference is between the two professions is that Chiropractic considers the brain and nervous system primary while osteopathy considers the heart and cardiovascular system primary.

How does one become a member of the Italian Chiropractic Association?
All Doctors of Chiropractic who have graduated in Chiropractic from Colleges recognized by the World Body on Chiropractic are eligible to become our members.

Can I get the name of the best chiropractor?
The members of the Italian Chiropractic Association are all equally valid; they are all Doctors of Chiropractic who have graduated from colleges recognized by the World Body on Chiropractic.

Are Doctors of Chiropractic AIC Members also physicians?
Our members are all Doctor of Chiropractic degrees from colleges recognized by the World Body on Chiropractic. The degree in Chiropractic is a separate degree from the degree in Medicine; one enters the colleges after obtaining a high school diploma as in our Italian universities. Obtaining, also, a medical degree is solely one's own personal choice.