What is a Chiropractor?

A chiropractor is a publicly authorized musculoskeletal primary contact. Like a general practitioner, a chiropractor has a right of sick leave and a referral right to a medical specialist, as well as imaging diagnostics (such as X-ray, CT and MRI).

Since 1988, chiropractors have been one of the country's authorized health care professional groups - this also means that chiropractor is a protected title. This means that you cannot call yourself a chiropractor or say that you practice chiropractic without having the formal education, as well as HELFO's authorization.

How long is education for chiropractor studies?

Chiropractors must complete a master's program that takes a total of 6 years. This means 5 years of university education and 1 year in shift service. After completing the rotation service, the chiropractor has full authorization and can become a full member of the Norwegian Chiropractor Association.

Do you need a doctor's referral to go to a chiropractor?

No, you do not need a referral from a doctor to go to a chiropractor. Folketrygden provides partial reimbursement of your deductible of up to 14 treatments in the calendar year. This reimbursement rate is changed almost annually in accordance with regulations from HELFO.

What does a chiropractor hour cost?

As with other health professions, this varies, but among fully authorized chiropractors the prices are normally between NOK 350 and up to NOK 500. The initial consultation, an extended survey, usually costs between NOK 500 and up to NOK 900.

There are some chiropractors who use low deductibles, but then rather cut down on the treatment time - these players are often not recommended, as it can go a little too fast in the turns. A good treatment must be prepared based on a patient's total health situation and daily form - so therefore it is important to have an extended examination at the first consultation.

The spine is important for optimal musculoskeletal function.

The main goal of chiropractic is to reduce pain, promote mobility and thus also improve the quality of life and general health by restoring and normalizing function in joints, muscles, connective tissue but also the nervous system.. The treatment provided is always prepared based on the patient's overall health situation and overall perspective. The chiropractor uses a variety of treatment methods, where the hands are mainly used to restore normal function. Chiropractic has good evidence in the treatment of lumbago, neck pain, headaches and a variety of other musculoskeletal ailments.

What does a chiropractor earn?

What a chiropractor earns varies based on the number of patients and their rates. It can take time for a chiropractor to build up a good reputation and patient base. What a chiropractor earns also depends on whether they are clinic owners or whether they only hire another chiropractor. In the latter situation, it is common for a chiropractor to pay a significant amount, a percentage, to the landlord. Somewhat speculative, but a chiropractor can be assumed to earn between 350000 and 1400000 kroner a year.

Chiropractic treatment - Photo Wikimedia Commons

What does a chiropractor treat?

It is a common myth that a chiropractor only treats neck and buttocks lumbago, but the truth is that a chiropractor can treat most musculoskeletal ailments. A chiropractor's significant education, including in the field of neurology and diagnostics, means that they are in an excellent position to give you answers to and investigate your ailments. If they can not help you, then a chiropractor can refer you for a specialist examination. Some of the most common ailments a chiropractor treats include shoulder pain, neck pain, chest pain, pain between the shoulder blades, low back pain, knee problems and pain in the foot and ankle. They are also considered experts in paragraph lockouts, and performs so-called joint corrective treatment on dysfunctional joints, with a view to promoting normal function and contributing to increased movement. This movement in turn leads to smaller myoses in nearby muscles and makes it easier to stay active.

Also read: Chiropractic - What you need to know about a chiropractor's profession

References:

1. Nakkeprolaps.no

2. Norwegian Chiropractor Association