Musculoskeletal (AKA muscle and joint) pain affects millions of people every year, from athletes to office workers. As Chicagoans and fellow Lincoln Park residents go through a wet and cool spring, more are transitioning to outdoor activities and sports.  Often, when injury occurs, most people are unaware that Chiropractors can treat and diagnose several of the same conditions that fellow medical doctors see, but they provide a more natural and holistic approach.  Additionally, Chiropractors specialize in identifying and treating these issues through a patient-centered, more active-based care approach.  Below will detail how a chiropractor assesses and treats common conditions affecting one’s neck, back, and non-spinal areas, including a herniated/compressed disc, rotator cuff injury, or even a scoliosis (an abnormal curvature of the spine).

1. Patient Consultation & Medical History

The hallmark of diagnosing any injury begins with an in-depth consultation. Chiropractors especially, those are sports-based or work with an active population that is in Chicago and/or Lincoln Park ask targeted questions about:

•Pain location, intensity, and duration

•Injury history or repetitive strain (previous injury, surgery)

•Lifestyle, activity level, and current posture from either’s one job or activities/sports involved in

•Medical conditions or prior treatments (from whom, for how long, and what was done)

These answers lay the groundwork for a focused and efficient chiropractic evaluation and examination.

2. Physical Examination (including, Orthopedic and Neurologic tests)

A chiropractor conducts a thorough physical assessment, which will include the following to identify which muscles, joints, or nerves are impacted and affected:

•Posture and gait analysis

•Range of motion testing for non-spinal joints and spine to look at flexibility of these body regions

•Palpation to detect tenderness, muscle tension, spinal and/or joint pain.

•Muscle strength (e.g. muscle testing upper and lower limbs)

•Nerve involvement (e.g., numbness, tingling, weakness) using pinwheels on each side of the body (upper and lower limbs)

•Functional Tests to determine any muscle imbalances (between weak and strong muscles, in addition to how one may compensate causing their potential injury)

•Pain patterns indicating muscle, ligament, or disc involvement

3. Diagnostic Imaging (If and When Necessary)

While many conditions can be diagnosed without imaging, chiropractors may refer patients for:

•X-rays – to assess alignment, postural curves, spinal and non-spinal degeneration (wear-and-tear)

•MRI or CT scans – to view soft tissue (muscle, cartilage), spinal cord (MRI), and spinal discs problems

•Ultrasound – for tendon or muscle tears

Imaging helps to find the underlying cause of the pain and injury, but also rule out more significant injuries such as  fractures, dislocations, and help to determine any abnormal conditions contributing to one’s pain.

4. Diagnosis and Treatment Planning

After gathering this clinical data, the chiropractor will provide a diagnosis and discuss:

•The specific musculoskeletal issue (e.g., strain, herniated disc, joint dysfunction)

•The contributing factors (e.g., poor posture, repetitive stress)

•A personalized treatment plan including spinal manipulation, manual therapy, rehab/corrective exercises, and ergonomic advice to help with your injuries and posture

Common Conditions Made by Chiropractors

Chiropractors frequently diagnose and treat:

•Low back and neck pain

•Herniated or bulging discs

•Tendonitis and bursitis

•Sciatica

•TMJ dysfunction

•Shoulder (rotator cuff), hip, knee (IT band, quad, and hamstring), and ankle (sprains/strains)

Accurate diagnosis is the cornerstone of effective chiropractic care. With a detailed evaluation process that includes physical assessments and, when needed, imaging, chiropractors help patients understand the root cause of their discomfort and guide them toward safe, long-term relief. If you’re struggling with joint, muscle, or nerve pain, a chiropractor can help identify the problem and get you back to feeling your best—without drugs or surgery.