If you have been considering a trip to the chiropractor but had hesitancy, you are not alone. More often than not, people avoid seeking chiropractic care because of a misconception. Don’t let common myths stand in the way of you and enhanced overall health. Here are 10 common myths about chiropractic care debunked so you can explore treatment options and potentially enjoy a better quality of life.
1. Chiropractors Aren’t Real Doctors
One of the most common myths around chiropractic care is that chiropractors aren’t “real doctors”. Firstly people should be asking themselves what the role of a doctor should be, and what they are looking to achieve when seeing said doctor. There are many different specialties and different spectrums of intervention within the healthcare industry. We would argue that a real doctor is someone with the requisite knowledge and training to help people overcome various ailments or problems, and ultimately lead a better, healthier life. Indeed, one could argue that a number of traditional doctors in practice today who only prescribe medications and offer little in the way of lifestyle analysis and coaching are not the only types of doctors that people should be seeking out.
Chiropractors and osteopaths hold different degrees depending upon which country they attended their schooling. In the United States, for example, chiropractors attain a Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.) degree which involves 7-8 years of post-secondary education and many hours of hands on clinical experience before graduation. They are indeed skilled professionals that specialise in spinal health and the neuro-musculoskeletal system.
Their knowledge and experience covers biology, anatomy, physiology, radiology, pathology and neurology (among many other subjects), which, combined, enable them to support your health effectively. Their work differs from medical doctors (M.D.) who have a broader medical scope, but this doesn’t take away from their expertise in neuro-musculoskeletal care and helping many patients with a wide range of conditions to live a better, healthier life.
2. Chiropractic Care is a Lifelong Treatment
Many people believe that when you start visiting a chiropractor, you can’t stop. But rest assured that this is false. While regular treatment may help with maintenance and wellness, this is not a commitment that you have to make.
Chiropractic care is tailored to your needs and no matter whether your plan is for the short term or long term, neither will be lifelong. As you progress through your treatment your muscles may become stronger and your spine more aligned, helping you work towards your goals. In other words, how often and how long you choose to utilise chiropractic care as part of your health maintenance regimen depends on you, your lifestyle and your goals.
3. Chiropractic Adjustments are Dangerous
A common myth of chiropractic care is that chiropractic adjustments are dangerous. As with any treatment or intervention, there is always some risk of complications, but this doesn’t mean that you should avoid seeking care. Also many people are unaware that chiropractic adjustments don’t only include the traditional bone manipulations (“cracking”) that many people associate with chiropractic.
Complications are extremely uncommon, and your chiropractic clinic is expertly trained to minimise risks. There are many different forms of chiropractic care and other treatment strategies that can be customised to each patient’s condition. Chiropractors have undergone years of training and have thousands of hands-on clinical consultations under their belt so you can rest assured that you are in experienced hands during their care.
4. Chiropractic Care is Limited to Back Pain
Let’s be honest, when you think of chiropractic care you think of treatment for back pain. And while that’s the most well-known benefit, care may help address a variety of issues.
Chiropractors specialise in both spinal health and the whole neuro-musculoskeletal system, potentially providing support for neck pain, headaches, joint discomfort, poor posture, limited mobility and much more. If you are struggling with any of these, you could benefit from contacting your local chiropractic clinic.
5. Chiropractors Simply Crack Your Neck and Back
A common misconception is that chiropractors simply crack your neck and back during treatment. And while your sessions could include manual manipulation adjustments, there are many other types of care that you might experience.
Treatment is personalised to your needs and could include massage therapy, counselling, exercise recommendations, nutritional guidance and much, much more. They will work alongside you to curate a plan that aims to support optimal function and help you reach your health goals.
6. Chiropractic Adjustments are Painful
It’s only natural for individuals to assume that chiropractic adjustments are painful due to the cracking sounds that may occur. But don’t let this put you off seeking treatment. The majority of people find that chiropractic adjustments actually bring them relief rather than pain.
During the initial session or two, you may feel a slight soreness in the areas following treatment just as you would if you had undergone a new form of exercise, but this should feel mild and is temporary. If you are feeling particularly nervous about pain, you should air your concerns with your chiropractor, and they can adjust your care accordingly.
7. Chiropractic Care is Only Suitable for Adults
The myth that chiropractic care is not suitable for seniors and children prevents many people in need from seeking treatment. The reality is that it is suitable for all ages. Chiropractors are trained to tailor treatment according to each person’s age, health status and individual preferences. While most chiropractors can treat a wide range of ages, you may prefer to visit a paediatric chiropractor if you are enquiring for your child. They will specialise in treating infants, young children and adolescents. If in doubt, it is best to ask your chiropractor if they have training and experience treating children as well.
8. Chiropractic Care is not Based on Science
Chiropractic care is based on an in-depth understanding of human anatomy and physiology, and evidence-informed practices. It is recognised around the world as an effective treatment approach and listed as a recommended option in many clinical practice guidelines. And numerous studies have explored the potential effectiveness of chiropractic care for supporting neuro-musculoskeletal health.
9. Chiropractic Treatment is Expensive
When you seek any type of treatment, it’s natural to feel conscious about cost. And with the common myth that visiting a chiropractor is expensive, it’s easy to understand why it might be avoided. The reality is that treatment can be accessible and affordable by most when compared with surgery or long-term prescription use, with treatments tailored specifically to both your needs and your budget. You may also want to consider what are the potential costs of avoiding taking care of issues early on, and ending up with degenerative conditions or loss of function that may even affect your livelihood. In such a context, early chiropractic intervention can be considered a bargain in terms of cost and helping to improve overall health and function.
If you are budget conscious, it’s recommended to discuss this during an initial consultation with your local clinic to understand the price for treatment.
10. Chiropractic Care Doesn’t Work
The first thing to consider regarding such a statement is that the chiropractor and patient must at the onset discuss and determine what are all of the various systems of the body that chiropractic and rehabilitative care can influence. Chiropractic care can “work” for many things, but it should be clarified and expectations set accordingly for each patient before starting their treatment programme.
Chiropractic care has been explored in numerous studies for various conditions including neck pain, back pain, and other neuro-musculoskeletal issues. Many patients report finding relief following treatment.
It’s been practiced around the world for many years, with many patients reporting a reduction in pain, an improvement in mobility and enhanced overall well-being following treatment. However, individual experiences and results may vary.
Speak to an Expert at Elite Spine Centres
When it comes to chiropractic care, the bottom line is that it’s a treatment approach that aims to not only reduce your symptoms, but also to support your body’s overall function. If you are ready to explore for yourself, get in touch with the team at Elite Spine Centres to outline your needs and create a personalised treatment plan that may help you feel better, move better and live better. We look forward to hearing from you soon.