There tends to be many misunderstandings when it comes to chiropractic care, mostly due to the fact that chiropractic is relatively new to main stream medical treatments.  When the public doesn’t have the right facts, it is easy for people to be misled or confused about chiropractic therapy. We want people to properly understand the benefits of chiropractic care and forget about the false information they have heard through the grapevine.

The Center for Natural Medicine has created a Top 10 Misconceptions list about chiropractic that we would like to share with you:

First Misconception: Are chiropractors really doctors?

The answer to this is yes. Chiropractors are primary health care physicians and their training is similar to a medical doctors training. Chiropractors and MDs all take the same basic subjects like anatomy physiology pathology neurology etc. Of course Chiropractor’s branch out and take more subjects on spinal manipulation, nutrition, rehabilitation etc. whereas the medical doctors branch out into pharmacology, general surgery so an and so forth. We also have an internship as the medical profession does. And we must pass national and state board examinations. If your condition can not be treated by a chiropractor we will refer you to the proper specialist. Here is a comparison of hours of schooling required of medical doctors and chiropractic physicians.

Second Misconception: Manipulations hurt.

Usually the adjustments are pain free. Occasionally some discomfort may occur after the manipulation but this is from the muscles and the vertebra or bones of your spine being out of alignment and your body has to readapt. Actually a lot of patients tell me the manipulations are very comfortable and feel great.

Third Misconception: You have to go to a chiropractor for the rest of your life.

This is simply not true and is a myth. In the early stages of treatment you may have to go more often. As you get better your frequency is reduced and you should be given some exercises to strengthen the area involved. Once your condition has been stabilized and strengthened then you should be set up on a wellness program to maintain your current health level. It’s like getting in shape. It requires more time and exercise in the beginning but it is easier to maintain once you are in shape.

Fourth Misconception: Spinal manipulations or adjustments cause arthritis.

This is another myth. Actually spinal manipulations may help your arthritic pain in conjunction with physical therapy modalities, herbs and nutritional supplements.

Fifth Misconception: Chiropractors only treat lower back pain.

Actually, lower back pain is just the tip of the ice berg of what we treat. We also treat headaches neck pain, arm and shoulder pain, elbow and wrist pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, pain between the shoulder blades and pain radiating around the ribs. We treat buttock and leg pain along with knee and ankle injuries. We also treat sports injuries, auto injuries, worker’s compensation injuries and we treat many more health conditions-all naturally without the side effects of drugs.

Sixth Misconception: MDs do not like chiropractors.

This is not totally true but unfortunately some medical practitioners don’t. And the ones that don’t, usually do not understand what we do. But I receive referrals from medical doctors to my office. And I also refer some patients to medical doctors if necessary. Today some clinics even have medical doctors and chiropractors working together hand in hand in the same office. It doesn’t matter which doctor gets the patient better but the key is to get the patient well. Sometimes it takes a team approach. Including massage therapists, acupuncturists and pain management physicians just to name a few. The last thing I would like discuss is that a lot of times patients say, “My medical doctor told me not to go to a chiropractor because this or that could happen.” I have to disagree with this and if you have any questions, please be evaluated by a chiropractor. Remember chiropractors are experts in the neuro-musculo-skeletal system. Medical doctors are not specialists or experts in spinal manipulation therefore I recommend getting an opinion from a chiropractor.

 

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