Common Chiropractic Myths by EIH

Chiropractic care is a field of medicine focused on relieving back pain, neck pain, and various disorders of the musculoskeletal and nervous systems. A chiropractic adjustment is a hands-on approach designed to get at the root of the problem so your body can heal effectively without surgery or medications.

Despite the effectiveness and safety of chiropractic care, many misconceptions still surround it. Bust these common chiropractic myths to help you determine if this is the right treatment for you.

Myth: Chiropractors aren’t real doctors.

Chiropractors must earn a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) degree at an accredited university. This typically takes four years beyond an undergraduate degree. This rigorous education covers many of the same topics medical doctors learn.

Then, because of the hands-on nature of chiropractic care, these doctors spend a significant amount of time in clinical training. Chiropractors must also pass national board exams and obtain a medical license to practice in their state.

Myth: Getting a chiropractic adjustment is dangerous.

Chiropractic care is widely recognized as one of the safest non-invasive, drug-free therapies for relieving backaches, neck pain and many other physical ailments. As long as you visit a certified, experienced chiropractor, you can rest assured that the adjustments are safe.

While no health treatment is completely risk-free, the side effects associated with chiropractic care are minimal. For instance, the risk of having an artery injured during a neck manipulation is about one in 5.85 million. This means if you drive more than one mile to your chiropractor’s office, you’re more likely to get in a car accident on the way than you are to be injured during your appointment.

Myth: Chiropractic adjustments are painful.

For most people, joint manipulation brings immediate relief. The adjustments work best if you relax during the session. Of course, if you experience pain, be sure to tell your chiropractor immediately.

Myth: The “cracking” during a chiropractic adjustment causes arthritis.

The cracking or popping sounds you hear during a spinal adjustment can be a bit alarming, but they are perfectly normal. A common misconception is that this is the sound of your bones rubbing together. This simply isn’t true.

Instead, what you’re hearing is the “pop” of air bubbles in the fluid surrounding your joints. This does not cause arthritis. In fact, the Arthritis Foundation recommends chiropractic care to help ease joint pain and stiffness in arthritis patients.

Myth: Once you start seeing a chiropractor, you can never stop going.

While it’s true that you may need multiple adjustments to feel the full benefits of chiropractic care, you are not committing to a lifetime of appointments if you choose to visit a chiropractor for back pain. The number of visits you require depends on your medical history, lifestyle, the cause of your pain and other factors. Your chiropractor may offer an estimated timeframe of healing after your initial appointment.

If you have more questions for our chiropractor, please call Effective Integrative Healthcare to schedule a free consultation.