Chiropractors work as primary contacts in primary care with specialist expertise in musculoskeletal disorders. As a patient, you can go directly to a chiropractor without a referral from a doctor, and be followed up with assessment, treatment and prevention of your musculoskeletal complaints. The treatment is evidence-based and includes various manual techniques, physical exercises, and information and guidance. Our chiropractors are members of the Norwegian Chiropractors' Association, Norsk kiropraktorforening.
You do not need a referral to see a chiropractor. Chiropractors are primary contacts with independent responsibility for diagnosis and treatment.
As primary contacts in the health service, chiropractors can:
- Refer patients to a medical specialist, for example an orthopaedic surgeon/neurologist/rheumatologist.
- Refer patients for diagnostic imaging such as MRI, X-ray or CT
- Sign patients off sick with musculoskeletal complaints/disorders for up to 12 weeks
- In the case of long-term sick leave, take part in the statutory “dialogue meeting” with the employer and employee and any occupational health service
The Norwegian Health Economics Administration (HELFO) pays a contribution towards treatment costs at chiropractors. Chiropractors set their own prices, so the contribution will normally cover only a limited share of the total cost. Treatment by a chiropractor is not covered by any of the exemption card (frikort) schemes.
Here you can see the list of practitioners who work at Behandlerverket (in Norwegian).