• The profession of chiropractor has been recognized by the French State since March 4, 2002.
• Reference: Article 75 of the Law of March 4, 2002, known as the Kouchner Law, relating to patients’ rights and the quality of the health system on legifrance.gouv.fr.
• The decrees defining its scope of activity were published in the Official Journal on January 7, 2011. All chiropractors recognized by the French State have an Adeli number issued by the Regional Health Agency.
• Reference: Decree No. 2011-32 of January 7, 2011 relating to the acts and conditions of practice of chiropractic on legifrance.gouv.fr.

No. Although he used to “crack” vertebrae for a long time, he gave it up 10 years ago to focus on less aggressive techniques that are more effective in the long run.

No.

Yes, if possible.
– For spine problems, X-rays provide information that simple palpation cannot: presence of scoliosis, fracture, malformation, block vertebra, spondylolisthesis, sacroiliitis…
– For nerve root lesions (such as sciatica, cruralgia, or cervicobrachial neuralgia), a CT scan or MRI is very useful for locating disc herniations and protrusions. An electromyogram (EMG) is an added bonus for locating a pinched nerve.
– For soft tissue lesions (tendinitis, fasciitis, tenosynovitis), an ultrasound is the most appropriate exam. Sometimes, an MRI is necessary, especially for shoulder or knee problems.

There are 3 phases in this session:
– The first phase consists of gathering as much information as possible from the patient regarding the pathology they are suffering from and hope to treat through chiropractic care. Next, the chiropractor will review the various exams (X-rays, MRI…) brought by the patient. All of this is done to establish an initial diagnosis.
– The 2nd phase during which the therapist will perform specific tests and a precise palpation of the area to be evaluated to reach a lesion diagnosis. At this stage, if any information is missing to establish a diagnosis, the patient will be asked to return to their primary care physician to complete the missing exams.
– A 3rd phase which is the specific treatment phase. Following this, two things will be explained to the patient: the possible and probable reaction phase after each session (especially at the beginning of the treatment) and the fact that the session will continue to take effect for about 5 days. Therefore, the results of the session will be more noticeable after these 5 days rather than on the day of the session itself. Finally, the treatment plan will be proposed to the patient, and a new appointment will be scheduled.

Yes. The majority of patients experience reactions after the first, and sometimes the second, session. This generally involves a wave of fatigue and a temporary worsening of the symptoms being treated. This occurs the day after the session and lasts from a few hours to 2 days. After that, things improve. However, this reaction is a good sign because it indicates that the therapist worked exactly at the level of the lesion. It is advised to take paracetamol during the reaction period if it is significant and if the patient has no contraindications to taking this medication.

Yes. The number of sessions varies depending on the severity of the lesion, how long the problem has existed, and the physical or professional activity the patient will engage in right after the session. For example, lumbago or a stiff neck is treated in 2 to 3 sessions, with a one-week interval between each session. A disc lesion (sciatica, cruralgia, or cervical-brachial neuralgia), being more serious, will require more sessions: from 3 to 6 spread over one to three months.

Yes, of course. A fracture, metastasis, sacroiliitis of the pelvis, or grade 2 to 4 spondylolisthesis—all of which are visible on an X-ray—constitute a contraindication to chiropractic treatment.

Yes. These can be explained by the advanced wear and tear of certain joints, particularly due to osteoarthritis, but also by the fact that some patients do not wish to complete the number of sessions required to achieve a lasting result.

No, although the chiropractic degree has been recognized since 2002.

Yes. Many health insurance companies now partially reimburse chiropractic care, just like osteopathic care. Contact your health insurance provider to find out to what extent they cover chiropractic care.

Yes, provided certain conditions are met. The chiropractic treatment must be given time to work without external interference, meaning a minimum period of 3 days before another therapist intervenes. Furthermore, the latter must not also manipulate the vertebrae or the injured joint. However, it is logical to think that it is better to undergo one treatment at a time.

No. Injections, much like anti-inflammatory drugs, can provide rapid pain relief. However, it must be noted that these treatments do not address the structural realignment of the affected joints. In the short or medium term, a mechanical intervention on these joints will be necessary to improve their function and slow down the aging process. This is precisely the chiropractor’s field of expertise.

No.

I disinfect the back cushion, the headrest (cervical cushion), and the handrests with Sanytol between every patient visit. In the evening, I disinfect the rest of the table and the footrest.

These three professions are closely related, yet distinct.

First, they differ in their academic training:
Chiropractors receive the same university education regardless of the country where they train. Its duration and content are regulated and audited by an independent body called the CCE (Council on Chiropractic Education). The academic curriculum for chiropractors consists of 5,000 hours of training (see www.ifec.net). In contrast, until 2014, training for osteopaths and etiopaths varied from 2,500 to 4,000 hours. Since 2014, it has been increased to 4,860 hours.

Second, they differ in the techniques they use:
Chiropractors utilize manual techniques specific to their profession, such as the Gonstead, Network, and DNFT techniques. They also use instrumental techniques like the Activator or the Drop table..