Myths and Truths About Chiropractic

Misconceptions and misinformation may be one of the biggest barriers to achieving the highest results possible under chiropractic care. Understanding chiropractic care may well be the most important step toward receiving the full benefits. Most people base their actions on their understandings. Chiropractic works best when the patient becomes an active participant in their health care. To assure that misinformation does not interfere with your chiropractic care, we offer the following.

Myth: Chiropractic is for back problems.

Truth: Although many people with back problems get help under chiropractic care, chiropractic is not the treatment of back problems. Chiropractic care is the correction of interference to the nervous system from subluxations (misaligned spinal vertebrae) that cause pressure on nerves. As subluxations are corrected and the nervous system begins to function better the body uses its own innate healing abilities to heal itself.

Myth: Chiropractic adjustments hurt.

Truth: Chiropractic adjustments are a painless procedure designed to re-align spinal bones and alleviate pressure on spinal nerves (subluxations). In a small percentage of people the spine has been so fixated that the beginning of care may result in some minimal soreness as the spine begins to move again. Since chiropractic adjustments are customized to each individual spine, adjustments are painless and actually feel good to the patient receiving them.

Myth: Chiropractors aren't real doctors.

Truth: All types of doctors are "real doctors". Medical doctors, osteopaths, chiropractors and a variety of other health care providers are all real doctors. The difference is that each of the various types of doctors has a different focus of care and an approach to health. Doctors of Chiropractic, like other doctors, are trained extensively in human anatomy, physiology and other human sciences. In addition to this training, Doctors of Chiropractic have had thousands of hours in chiropractic patient care. Chiropractors are the best trained, most qualified professionals at the detection, locations and correction of vertebral subluxations, and the related human effects.

Myth: Bones in your spine can pop in and out of place.

Truth: Although with certain chiropractic adjustments you can hear a "click or pop", this sound does not indicate that the spinal vertebrae were either out of position, or that they have moved into position. In fact bones in your spine cannot move in or out of position that easily. Even the loudest popping nose only means the bones have probably moved a small amount. What an adjustment does do is start the process of moving a bone. It usually takes repeated adjusting to continue the ongoing correction of subluxations. It is best to look at spinal vertebrae as being similar to crooked teeth. A dentist cannot pop crooked teeth back into position. He must retrain them slowly over time. The same concept is true for chiropractic care. Spinal bones slowly correct over a longer period of time with repeated chiropractic adjustments.

Myth: Chiropractors claim they can cure everything.

Truth: These types of statements are usually made by those who know little about chiropractic. In fact chiropractors (or for that matter any type of doctor) cannot cure anything. Doctors do not cure. The only thing that cures is that innate ability within each of us to cure ourselves. Chiropractors recognize this ability, and work to remove interference to the nervous system by correcting subluxations. Only you can cure you. But with that being said, no one should place any limitations on what may be possible when it comes to the body's ability to heal itself.

Myth: Chiropractors want to keep you coming forever.

Truth: Chiropractors do not force their patients to do anything. What chiropractors do is suggest the care that is needed for maximum health. As with anything that is good for you, once you have achieved a certain goal most people choose to continue on a wellness basis. This same concept is true for exercise and diet. Once you have reached a fitness goal with exercise and or diet, do you stop these activities completely? The same concept is true for chiropractic. Most people decide to continue care because they know it is good for them. If a chiropractor wants you to keep coming, chances are its because he or she cares. But ultimately, it is your decision.

Understanding the truth about chiropractic can help you better realize the possibilities available to you. Once you know the truth, it just makes sense.