Even though doctors of chiropractic’s are required to attend 8 years of schooling and hold a degree, there still seems to be a lot of speculation out there regarding chiropractic practices. Some have heard through the grapevine that adjustments are painful, while others are simply not convinced that there is any benefit to seeing a chiropractor.
Let’s check out some of the most famous myths about chiropractic’s out there and see if we can debunk them today.
1. Chiropractic Adjustments Are Dangerous
It's impossible to state with certainty that any treatment or intervention is without risk. However, the most common complaint among chiropractic patients is soreness after an adjustment. In the majority of cases, this soreness is relatively mild, and dissipates within a day or two of your visit.
While this chiropractic rumor is among the most famous, the American Chiropractic Association reminds patients that taking over-the-counter pain medication has been found to be 100 times riskier than receiving a chiropractic adjustment.
2. Chiropractic Doctors Lack Education
The training and education that all chiropractic doctors are required to go through is extremely thorough and demanding. With the exception of pharmacology and surgery, it's very similar to that of a doctor.
Although this varies from state to state, most chiropractors are required to have gained a Bachelor’s degree prior to completing 4-5 years at a chiropractic college. This includes extensive training in anatomy, physiology, pathology, chiropractic adjusting techniques, and biomechanics, among many other courses.
Once education at the chiropractic college has been completed, each student must complete several hundred clinical hours of real patient management in a clinical setting under professional supervision. Soon after graduating, every chiropractic doctor must complete both a National and State Board examination in order to obtain their license to practice chiropractic. After obtaining this license, annual continuing education is required to ensure a high level of competency, updated knowledge, and skills.
3. Chiropractors Only Treat the Spine
Through training and experience, chiropractors are well versed in many other areas outside of spinal adjustments. During their education, every chiropractor learns how to administer clinical examinations and offer proper diagnosis of the entire human body.
Chiropractors often diagnose problems unrelated to the spine, offer nutritional advice, and prescribe exercises to patients. A doctor of chiropractic often branches out into specialty areas including:
- Pediatrics
- Physical and therapeutic rehabilitation
- Diagnosis and internal disorders
- Diagnostic imaging
- Neurology
- Nutrition
- Occupational health
- Sports physician
- Orthopedics
- Geriatrics
4. Chiropractors Are Not Viewed as Being in the Medical Mainstream
The medical community today formally acknowledges chiropractic care as a valued and credible form of treatment. In fact, many primary care physicians often refer patients to a chiropractor in order to treat lower back and neck pain. Furthermore, a growing number of doctors today recognize diagnosis by chiropractors and accept this as a first line of treatment for conditions affecting the entire musculoskeletal system.
5. Once You Start Seeing a Chiropractor, You Can Never Stop
Long-term commitment is tough for all of us. Luckily, this myth is simply not true when it comes to chiropractic care.
During your initial consultation with your chiropractor, you will have a thorough physical exam and go over your condition or discomforts. You will then discuss your goals of chiropractic care together. The chiropractor will then develop a targeted treatment plan after identifying what is causing your pain. This plan will include the anticipated number of sessions the chiropractor believes you will need. If you wish to continue seeing the chiropractor past this point in order to maintain a healthy and pain-free state, that is completely up to you.
Never believe everything you hear. Like most things in life, there are a lot of rumors about chiropractic’s that simply are not true. If you are on the fence about chiropractic care, attend a consultation appointment, where you can voice all of your concerns to a licensed chiropractor. He or she will take the time to go over every point with you and put your mind at ease.
