Debunking Chiropractic Myths

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I once had a friend who told me that he personally didn’t believe in intersegmental dysfunction or subluxation because there was minimal support for it from the medical community. Now, as someone who has been seeing chiropractors since I was 12, this came as a shock.

While the discoveries of the intricacies of the human body is evolving faster than ever, chiropractic care has quickly established itself as a viable option in the health community, so, let’s look at the top six myths to better inform us about this new branch of health care.

Myth 1: Not Enough Scientific Evidence

There are now a plethora of randomized controlled trials supporting chiropractic care. Overall, it has been observed that chiropractic care improves neck pain, back pain, and headache as well as relieving joint injuries (i.e. whiplash, carpal tunnel).

Myth 2: Chiropractors Aren’t Real Doctors

This is the farthest thing from the truth. Chiropractors take four years of pre-med undergraduate classes. They continue their higher education at an accredited chiropractic school for four years. During these years they must complete at least 4,200 hours of classroom, lab, and clinic experience.

Myth 3: Chiropractic Treatment is Dangerous

Much of chiropractic treatment is non-surgical and non-invasive, so, it has been deemed one of the safest treatments for all musculoskeletal pain. In fact, the American Chiropractic Association has conducted randomized-controlled trials that show that invasive surgeries for the neck and spine as well as anti-inflammatory drugs like aspirin have higher risks reoccurring pain.

Myth 4: All They Do Is Crack Bones

Chiropractic treatment works by delivering localized and specific impulses into a muscle, joint, or nerve. So, while you can crack your own joints at home, you are not applying the same techniques that will help your body feel better and your adjustments hold longer.

Myth 5: Chiropractic Care Is Too Expensive

Hospital medical treatment is 50–70 times more expensive than chiropractic treatment, in which 80% of the cost is in diagnosis alone. The Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics details that patients who went to a chiropractor first found their bills to be 20% cheaper in the long run. Clients who see a chiropractor first are less likely to undergo spinal surgery, and avoid the costs of surgery and the time put into the rehabilitation process. For more information on costs go here.

Myth 6: Unsafe for Children

Children are more susceptible to neck and back injuries due to their high levels of activity. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration estimates that most children experience 1,500 spine related traumas before they turn the age of five; chiropractic care can negate these long lasting effects to their bodies and as such is highly recommended.

Chiropractic care set the foundation in my own life for a healthy and pain free lifestyle. While everyone’s experience may not be exactly the same, I highly encourage everyone to start with a chiropractic appointment. The human body is a marvelous creation and it is our job to keep it fit and happy to ensure that we live out our best life.

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