Mythbusters: Chiropractors
“Chiropractors are not real doctors. Plus, all they know is how to treat the spine, they really don’t know the rest of the body. It’s too expensive, it’s dangerous, and who knows if it even works.” We have heard it all before, we know you are thinking it so, we are here to set the facts straight.

Not real doctors. Chiropractors are legitimate medical professionals just like your primary doctor or any other specialty doctor you may see. They are licensed and qualified as graduates to serve as health care providers in the United States and several other countries. Chiropractic school is a rigorous program and at the completion of the D.C. degree, students must then pass a difficult four-part national board exam to obtain their license. From there, chiropractors continue to attend regular seminars on latest research and techniques.
Only treat back pain. Chiropractors take many of the same courses as medical students such as anatomy, neurology, pathology, and biochemistry. Thus, they know more than just how the spine works. They are trained in clinical examination and diagnosis of the entire body. Many chiropractors have specialties such as nutrition, pediatrics, or internal disorders that demonstrate deeper knowledge for their practice.
Chiropractic care is expensive. Many insurance plans include chiropractic benefits, even Medicare. There are insurance companies that would rather see patients utilize preventive healthcare measures versus drugs or surgeries.
Only for adults. Children’s bodies are naturally more flexible and quick to repair when injured and the early stages of life are a time of rapid growth. Regular chiropractic appointments for your child can ensure that their body is developing correctly.
Dangerous, painful, and doesn’t work. During an adjustment, sometimes there will be a cracking sound. Some see this as a sign that the adjustment worked and others as a red flag. The truth is that the sound is harmless and just means there was a pressure change in one of the joints. Most patients say that their adjustments provide them with a feeling of relief not pain. Like any medical procedure, there is a safety risk but chiropractic is recognized as the safest drug-free, non-invasive therapy available for neuromusculoskeletal pain.
If you have any other myths you’d like us to bust, contact the doctors at Petrak Family Chiropractic today.
