Spines popping, magic cures, and influencer-endorsed DIY adjustments — these are just a few of the myths circling chiropractic care.
Amidst these hazy misconceptions, the truth can be difficult to pin down. Although skeptics have long dubbed chiro a pseudoscience, years of scholarship, study, and scrutiny have revealed a different reality — pledging chiropractic treatments to be a safe and effective form of complementary healthcare.
While chiro critics may be vocal, the benefits of its efficacy are illustrated by increasing public demand, with the need for chiropractors expected to rise by 9% in the coming years. It’s easy to understand why — chiropractic care is a drug-free, non-invasive approach to healthcare that focuses on the body’s natural ability to heal itself. While the field doesn’t claim to cure diseases or ailments, it can be a valuable tool for managing pain, improving mobility, and promoting overall well-being.
Still skeptical? Let’s adjust our thinking by cracking down on the 5 greatest myths about chiropractic medicine.
Myth #1: Chiropractors are not “real doctors”
Although naysayers may dismiss the idea that chiropractors are doctors, they can’t deny the facts. While their educational journeys and scope of duties may differ from other specialists, chiropractors are highly educated healthcare professionals.
To begin their careers in patient care, prospective chiropractors must complete a rigorous Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) degree program. Complemented by foundational studies in physiology, anatomy, and diagnosis, Chiropractic programs provide an in-depth exploration of the spine, musculoskeletal, and nervous system. Like other medical specialists in training, prospective chiropractors also must satisfy clinical requirements to apply their knowledge, refine their skills, practice direct patient care, and qualify for licensure.
Once chiropractors earn their qualifications and begin practicing medicine, their array of professional duties includes:
- Assessment: Chiropractors take their patients’ medical histories and perform physical examinations to identify musculoskeletal conditions, often utilizing diagnostic imaging techniques to aid in diagnosis.
- Education: Chiropractors advise patients about proper posture, ergonomics, and injury prevention techniques — promoting holistic wellness and emphasizing the body’s ability to recover.
- Treatment: These doctors develop individualized treatment plans tailored to their patients’ needs. Although they perform manual adjustments and manipulations to the spine or joints, they also provide therapeutic exercises, stretches, and lifestyle advice to help patients manage pain and improve their overall health.
- Progress management: Like other healthcare specialists, chiropractors maintain detailed records of patient evaluations, care plans, and progress — adjusting treatment strategies as necessary.
- Collaborative healthcare: Chiropractors work with other healthcare professionals, such as primary care physicians or physical therapists, to ensure their patients receive comprehensive care.
Myth #2: Chiropractic care is all about the “pop”
When chiropractic medicine comes to mind, you likely hear it before the scene takes shape — a resounding “crack” as air bubbles escape from the joints. While some chiropractic procedures may produce a satisfying pop, it’s not the goal of chiropractic care but an occasional byproduct.
Chiropractic medicine operates on the principle that proper alignment of the spine and other musculoskeletal structures is essential for overall health and well-being. The purpose of chiropractic adjustments is to restore or enhance this alignment, thereby improving nervous system function and promoting the body’s natural ability to heal itself.
By addressing underlying biomechanical dysfunction, such as misalignments or restrictions in joint movement, chiropractors perform targeted adjustments to correct these issues, alleviate symptoms, and restore optimal function to the affected areas.
Ready to find professional fulfillment by helping and healing others? Your next steps start at UB. Learn more and begin the journey to your Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) degree today!
Myth #3: Chiropractic care is only for back pain
When you visit the chiropractor’s office, your appointment won’t merely consist of a swift spinal crack. In fact, your back may not be the area of focus at all.
While back pain is a common reason patients seek chiropractic care, it’s far from the only one. These specialists address many acute and chronic musculoskeletal issues, ranging from neck pain and headaches to joint pain and sports injuries. Some studies even suggest chiropractic care can alleviate non-musculoskeletal ailments, including allergies, digestive problems, and more.
Myth #4: Chiropractic adjustments are painful
You may have seen your favorite television or movie characters visit a chiropractor for a quick adjustment. The fictitious sequence often plays out the same: the protagonist lies on the table and, as the doctor adjusts their neck or back, they wince with a sudden and painful pop.
While you don’t need us to tell you television isn’t reality, the media has perpetuated this myth. Although some people experience mild soreness or stiffness after a chiropractic adjustment, this is usually temporary and is often akin to the feeling you get after a good workout. A skilled chiropractic expert will employ techniques tailored to your comfort level, and most patients report feeling relief from pain after an adjustment.
Furthermore, the conservative methods chiropractors use can reduce pain in the long run — helping patients avoid costly surgeries and medications. Herein lies one of the hidden gems of chiropractic treatment. By taking a prescription-free approach to pain management, chiropractors help address chronic and acute discomfort without relying on potentially addictive pharmaceuticals. In turn, this serves the public health of their communities — cutting down on the use and abuse of opioids.
Myth #5: Once you start chiropractic care, you’ll never be able to stop
Sure, chiropractic care may reduce the likelihood of more costly treatments down the road, but does committing to chiro lead you down a rabbit hole of endless appointments and adjustments — shackling you to a cycle of recurring bills and copays.
Actually, chiropractic medicine isn’t an unrelenting loophole. Because these experts customize individual care plans for each patient, the frequency of their treatments can be vast and variable. While some treatment plans call for routine adjustments, others may incorporate occasional maintenance into a patient’s wellness routine. Additionally, chiropractors focus on education while administering treatment, meaning that they may take action to alleviate immediate symptoms, but they’ll also teach patients methods and movements that can help to prevent the symptoms from recurring in the future.
Finally, it’s worth remembering that chiropractors are complementary caregivers dedicated to collaborating with your primary physician (and other specialists) to address your needs. Incorporating collaborative chiropractic care into the big picture can help you maintain whole-body wellness.