Chiropractors play a complementary role to medical care in managing musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions and injuries. Whether partnering with medical doctors in patient care or receiving referrals from physicians who know their patient would benefit from MSK expertise, there significant benefits to the patient in the collaboration of medical and chiropractic doctors.
Medical doctors have tremendous knowledge and experience treating systemic and visceral conditions, while chiropractors have a vast knowledge regarding the assessment, diagnosis and conservative management of MSK conditions. Our expertise in MSK health is primarily, but not limited to, the back and neck.
Interprofessional Collaboration between Chiropractors and Medical Doctors
Interprofessional collaboration promotes effective patient-centered care. Chiropractors are trained to actively communicate with other healthcare providers, including medical doctors, about patient needs, and their extensive academic and clinical training allows them to know when patients need to be referred back to their family physicians. Chiropractors are well-trained to refer patients who are presenting with non-musculoskeletal complaints and understand when there are contraindications to manual therapy.