What Is a Chiropractor? Understanding Chiropractic Care

Many patients ask, “What is a chiropractor?” Doctors of Chiropractic (DCs) are trained healthcare professionals who use hands-on spinal adjustments to relieve pain and improve function. This drug-free, holistic approach is effective for many conditions involving the spine, joints, and nervous system.

When to See a Chiropractor for Pain Relief

Not sure when to see a chiropractor? Common reasons include:

Our Cerritos chiropractic team evaluates your condition and creates a custom treatment plan that addresses the root cause.

Trusted Back Pain Chiropractor in Cerritos

Back pain is one of the most common reasons people seek chiropractic care. Our back pain chiropractor uses targeted spinal adjustments and rehabilitative exercises to restore alignment and reduce inflammation — helping you feel relief faster and stay pain-free longer.

Shoulder Pain Chiropractor Solutions

Shoulder pain can severely limit your mobility and quality of life. Our shoulder pain chiropractor treatments focus on correcting imbalances, relieving tension, and supporting the healing process. We work to improve flexibility, posture, and joint function naturally.

Chiropractic Care Is Safe And Highly Trusted For People Of All Ages

Like their MD colleagues, doctors of chiropractic are subject to the boundaries established in state practice acts and are regulated by state licensing boards.

Further, their education in four-year doctoral graduate school programs is nationally accredited through an agency that operates under the auspices of the U.S. Department of Education. After graduation, they must pass national board exams before obtaining a license to practice, and then must maintain their license annually by earning continuing education (CE) credits through state-approved CE programs.  

What to Expect From a Chiropractic Adjustment

We get asked a lot about what adjustments are all about.

Chiropractic adjustments — also known as spinal manipulations — are a safe, effective treatment used to restore joint mobility, relieve pain, and improve overall function. During an adjustment, a Cerritos chiropractor applies a gentle, controlled force to specific joints that have become restricted due to injury, poor posture, or chronic tension.

Many patients feel immediate relief following an adjustment, while others notice gradual improvements over a few sessions. You may hear a slight popping sound — this is completely normal and is simply gas releasing from the joint space, similar to cracking your knuckles.

Before your first treatment, our chiropractor will perform a full evaluation, including your medical history, posture, range of motion, and any imaging (if necessary). This helps us determine the safest and most effective approach for your condition.

Our Cerritos chiropractic care team is trained in a variety of adjustment techniques, including Diversified, Activator Method, and Gonstead, allowing us to tailor treatment to your body and comfort level.

Chiropractic Adjustment Rarely Causes Discomfort.

Patients may sometimes experience mild soreness or aching following treatment (as with some forms of exercise) that usually resolves within 12 to 48 hours. Compared to other common treatments for pain, such as over-the-counter and prescription pain medications, chiropractic's conservative approach offers a safe and effective option. 

Frequently Asked Questions

While both physiotherapists and chiropractors help patients recover from pain and injuries, their approaches differ. Physiotherapists (or “physios”) focus on movement rehabilitation using exercise therapy and modalities like ultrasound or dry needling.

A chiropractor, on the other hand, specializes in spinal adjustments and joint manipulation to restore alignment, reduce nerve interference, and promote the body’s natural healing. At our Cerritos chiropractic clinic, we often work in collaboration with other health professionals, including physiotherapists, for a comprehensive care plan.

A sports injury chiropractor can treat a variety of athletic-related injuries and movement dysfunctions. These include:

  • Muscle strains and joint sprains
  • Shoulder and rotator cuff injuries
  • Lower back and neck pain
  • Knee, ankle, and hip misalignments
  • Tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow
  • Concussions and whiplash (in some cases)

If you’re an athlete or active individual dealing with pain or stiffness, our Cerritos chiropractors can help restore mobility and support your performance.

You should consider seeing a chiropractor in Cerritos if you’re experiencing:

  • Chronic back or neck pain
  • Limited range of motion in your joints
  • Headaches or migraines
  • Shoulder or knee pain
  • Recovery from a sports or auto accident injury
  • Sciatica or pinched nerves

You don’t need to wait until the pain is severe. Chiropractic care is most effective when used early — and can be part of a proactive approach to your long-term wellness.

The number of chiropractic sessions varies depending on your condition, lifestyle, and how your body responds to treatment. Some patients feel significant relief after just a few visits, while others with chronic or more complex conditions may benefit from ongoing care.

At our Cerritos clinic, we personalize every treatment plan and regularly reassess your progress to ensure you’re improving without unnecessary sessions.

Contact Us Today!

If you have been injured as a result of an auto accident, we encourage you to contact us today. Even if you don't feel any pain right away, it is still highly recommended to be evaluated by our team!

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