When to See a Chiropractor vs a Doctor: What Dr Ben Recommends
Quick answer: See a chiropractor for back pain, neck pain, stiffness and posture-related problems that came on with everyday life and are not getting worse fast. See your doctor first for illness, fever, chest pain, unexplained weight loss, or anything that feels new, severe or different, and get urgent medical help straight away for red flags such as loss of bladder control or sudden weakness. A good chiropractor checks for these signs and refers you to a medical doctor when that's what you need.
Key takeaways
Chiropractors are trained mainly in spine care: back pain, neck pain and how your spine moves.
Doctors are your first call for illness, infections, emergencies and anything that might need tests, medication or surgery.
Some symptoms need urgent medical care, not an adjustment. The list is below.
You don't have to choose one or the other. Many chiropractors, including me, work alongside medical doctors and refer when needed.
If you're not sure, ask. A short conversation can point you to the right place.
What is the difference between a chiropractor and a doctor?
A medical doctor diagnoses and treats illness and disease, while a chiropractor focuses on the spine, how it moves, and how that affects your nervous system and the way your body functions.
The way I explain it to my patients is this: medical care is like the fire department. When there's a fire, a crisis, an emergency, you need them, and you need them fast. My job is more like maintenance and renovation. I look after the structure so the building works well day to day.
Both matter. They do different jobs, and knowing which job you need right now saves you time and worry.
When should I see a chiropractor?
See a chiropractor when your problem is in your back, neck or joints, came on with everyday life, and you have none of the warning signs listed further down.
Chiropractic is, at its core, spine care. A 2005 paper describing chiropractic as spine care noted that more than 90% of people who see a chiropractor come for back-related problems (Nelson, Lawrence and Triano, 2005). The same paper points to clinical evidence supporting chiropractic care for back pain, neck pain and headache.
In my clinic, the people I see most often have:
Low back pain or stiffness, often after long days sitting between the office and the car.
Neck and shoulder tension from desks, laptops and phones.
Headaches that seem to start in the neck.
Back or hip discomfort during pregnancy or after having a baby.
Aches that keep coming back after training at the gym.
A spine that simply doesn't move the way it used to, and they want to keep moving well as they get older.
You don't need to wait until something hurts. Many people come for regular check-ups to look after their posture and movement, much like you'd see a dentist before you have toothache.
When should I see my doctor first?
See your doctor first when your symptoms point to illness rather than strain, or when something feels new and unexplained.
Book in with your GP if you have:
Pain together with fever, chills or feeling generally unwell.
Weight loss you can't explain.
Pain that's constant, doesn't ease with rest or changing position, and is worse at night.
A history of cancer and new back pain.
Pain after a fall or accident, or if you have osteoporosis.
Any symptom you're worried about that isn't related to your muscles, joints or spine.
None of these mean something serious is wrong. They mean a doctor should look first. Please keep taking any medication you've been prescribed, and keep your doctor in the loop.
When should I get urgent medical help?
Get emergency medical care straight away, not a chiropractic appointment, if you notice any of these:
Numbness around the groin or inner thighs, or new trouble controlling your bladder or bowel.
Weakness in an arm or leg that's getting worse, or a foot that starts to drag.
Chest pain, especially with shortness of breath, sweating, or pain spreading to the arm or jaw.
A sudden, severe headache unlike any you've had before.
Headache with fever and a stiff neck, confusion, slurred speech or a drooping face.
Severe pain after a car accident, fall or other significant injury.
In the UAE, call 998 for an ambulance or go to the nearest emergency department.
Can I see a chiropractor and a doctor at the same time?
Yes, and many people do. Chiropractors often build working relationships with medical doctors and refer patients when needed (Alcantara, Kent and McCoy, 2022).
Chiropractors are also trained to spot conditions that mean a certain adjusting method isn't suitable, and to refer you on to another healthcare provider when that's the right call (Kent, 2017). I take that seriously. Part of my first visit with any new patient is a careful history and examination, and if what I find belongs with a doctor, I'll tell you and send you there.
How does Dr Ben approach it?
I look at your body as something that's constantly adapting to the stresses of life, and my job is to help it do that well.
The way I've come to see it is simple. Your body is designed to heal and to keep itself in balance. Your nervous system runs that whole process. When your spine isn't moving well, through long hours at a desk, poor sleep, stress, an old injury, your nervous system is working under extra load. Over time, your body adapts to that load, and those adaptations are often what you feel as stiffness, tension and pain.
So when you come to see me at Heal Hub in Umm Suqeim, Dubai, I do three things:
Check first. I take a full history and examine you properly, including screening for anything that needs your doctor rather than me.
Find and adjust precisely. I look for the specific areas of your spine that aren't moving well and adjust them, rather than adjusting everything.
Look at the inputs. How you move, eat, sleep and handle stress all affect how your body recovers. We talk about the small daily changes that support the work we do on the table.
I don't see this as chiropractic against medicine. It's about the right care at the right time.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a referral from a doctor to see a chiropractor?
You don't usually need a referral to book with me. If you're already under a doctor's care for something, let me know at your first visit so I can take it into account.
Should I see a doctor or a chiropractor for back pain?
For everyday back pain without warning signs, a chiropractor is a sensible place to start. If you have fever, unexplained weight loss, numbness in the groin area, problems with your bladder or bowel, or pain after a significant injury, see a doctor first.
Can a chiropractor help with headaches?
Many headaches are linked to tension and stiffness in the neck, and there is clinical evidence supporting chiropractic care for some headaches. A sudden, severe or unusual headache is different: get medical help straight away.
What happens if a chiropractor thinks I need a doctor?
A responsible chiropractor will explain what they've found and refer you on. In my clinic, that's part of the job, not a failure.
Is chiropractic care only for back pain?
Spine care is the main focus, but I also see people for neck pain, posture, recovery from training, and regular care to keep moving well. Care for children is gentler and adapted to their age and size.
About the author
Dr Ben is a chiropractor at Heal Hub in Umm Suqeim, Dubai.
Not sure whether your back or neck pain is one for me or your doctor? Book a first visit at drbentinker.com/book-online and we'll find out together. If anything here persists, gets worse, or you notice any of the warning signs above, get checked by a doctor straight away.
References
Nelson CF, Lawrence DJ, Triano JJ (2005). Chiropractic as spine care: a model for the profession. Chiropractic & Osteopathy.
Kent C (2017). An Evidence-Informed Approach to Spinal Radiography in Vertebral Subluxation Centered Chiropractic Practice. Foundation for Vertebral Subluxation.
Alcantara J, Kent C, McCoy M (2022). Best Practices for the Chiropractic Care of Children. Foundation for Vertebral Subluxation.
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