If you suffer from headaches, neck pain, and back pain, you may have considered seeing a chiropractor. With over 70,000 chiropractors in America against millions seeking their services every year, it is no surprise you’ve thought about it.
And maybe you’re on the fence and have some questions about the chiropractor’s practice. Maybe you’ve heard some myths flying around about chiropractors. Well, whether you believe the myths or not, learning the facts will help you feel comfortable about chiropractic care and its ability to relieve your pain and place you on your path to wellness.
Here are the 6 truths and myths on chiropractic care.
- Are Chiropractors, Real Doctors
Myth: Chiropractors aren’t real doctors
Truth: chiropractors are doctors recognized by federal law and the department of health and human services.
Yes, this myth may have greatly diminished in recent years, but many people aren’t still certain about the training and qualifications that chiropractors have. Therefore, such people may worry that a semi-trained or uneducated person is pulling on their joints and spine. Well, be assured this is not the case.
Like other doctors, chiropractors must earn a degree from an accredited college or university. A chiropractor tends to have 4 years of undergraduate training where they graduate with a pre-med major. From here, one has to take four years to attend a chiropractic graduate program. Further, they must sit and pass a board exam to earn a practicing license. Even better, they must continue training and learning to keep their license updated.
- Are Chiropractic Adjustments Painful
Myth: yes, the adjustments are painful
Truth: chiropractic adjustments relieve pain, not cause it.
Most people assume chiropractic care treatment is painful because of the cracking and popping sounds that often occur. However, this isn’t always the case. The sounds are caused by gas and air moving through the joint fluids as the joints are stretched out. After this, immediate pain relief is common.
During the treatment, some people experience some brief discomfort. One can also feel a little bit sore as though they’ve heard a tough workout. However, this subsides in a few hours or days after the adjustment.
- How Often Should You Visit a Chiropractor?
Myth: After the first visit, you’re stuck for life
Truth: the treatment plan varies, and ultimately, you decide how often you visit a chiropractor
Well, this myth may originate from the fact that people visit a chiropractor for routine care. Well, routine care differs from one patient to the other. All this is dependent on the reasons you sought the services of a chiropractor. For example, if you’re suffering from an injury, the number of visits is dependent on the number of adjustments required to bring you to relief.
For instance, when starting, it is not uncommon to have chiropractic adjustments multiple times a week. However, as your body recovers, the number of visits may reduce to once a week. Once you’re pain-free and only looking to maintain your lifestyle, then you’ll only need to get the adjustment at least once or twice a month. Maybe even reduce to once or twice a year.
- Are Chiropractic Adjustments Safe?
Myth: Chiropractic adjustments aren’t safe
Facts: Chiropractic Adjustments are safe
Chiropractic treatment is less invasive than other treatments. And since it is drug and surgery-free, it avoids all the potential side effects. Instead of focusing on surgery, steroids, or addictive pain mediation, the practice goes after the source of the pain. This provides instant pain relief making it effective for people with chronic back and neck pains.
The risks associated with chiropractic treatment are small and far less than the risks of taking prescription painkillers or over-the-counter medication.
Many doctors now agree that chiropractic care should be the first line of treatment before prescribing a more dangerous and invasive alternative.
While chiropractic care is generally safe, people manifesting these conditions are advised by W.H.O to seek advice before enrolling on the treatment plan
- Broken bones
- Bone infections and diseases
- Infections on the nervous system
- Blood circulation problems
- What’s the Chiropractor’s Goal
Myth: chiropractors only treat neck and back pain
Truth: yes, chiropractors are known to treat back and neck pain, but their goal is to preserve and restore overall body health.
Some health conditions that chiropractors treat include:
- Sinus headaches
- Tension headaches
- Migraines
- Sciatica
- Tendinitis
- Herniated dick and other disc-related problems
- Knee pain
- Whiplash
- Temporomandibular joint disorders
- Shoulder pain
- Tennis elbow, carpal tunnel syndrome and other repetitive motion injuries
- Hip pain
- Osteoarthritis pain
- Fibromyalgia pain
- Vertigo
- Pregnancy-related pains
- Plantar fasciitis
- Sports injuries
Chiropractors, like doctors, are trained in clinical diagnosis and examination of the human body. They focus on the relationship between your skeletal structure, nerves, and muscles and their impact on your health. This goes beyond the neck and backaches.
Yes, chiropractors use different modalities to treat your health-related issues including:
- Ultrasound
- Dry needling
- Class 4 laser therapy
- Spinal decompression
- Do Chiropractors Believe in Drugs or Surgery?
Myth: chiropractors don’t believe in drugs or surgery
Truth: chiropractors have a strong belief in alternative healing
As part of training, chiropractors are advised to make proper referrals to reputable health care practitioners when drugs and surgery are needed. Therefore, they work hand in hand with medical practitioners like orthopedic surgeons, neurologists, and medical doctors.
Conclusion
You can read more about chiropractic care here.
For some chiropractic care is what they turn to after injuring their back or necks? Others have tried anything possible to alleviate their pain and are desperate for anything that works out. Some may be dealing with short-term pain from a recent injury while others are dealing with chronic pain that they’ve been dealing with for years.
Well, despite what brings you to the chiropractor’s office, the treatment process will be similar. First, you’ll get a physical exam that’ll determine your treatment plan. Depending on the nature of your injury, some treatment plans will take longer than others. The best thing, follow the treatment plan faithfully to get to a path of pain relief and wellness.
