Common Myths About Chiropractic Care
Do the pervasive myths about chiropractor care leave you hesitant to pursue what could be a highly effective form of treatment? If so, you’re not alone. Myths and misconceptions about chiropractic treatment are ubiquitous, so it’s not always easy to make informed decisions about treatment. Learn more about these common myths, and why you might want to overlook them in your pursuit of treatment.
Breaking Down Myths About Chiropractor Treatment
Perhaps the most common and most concerning among myths about chiropractor care is that it’s dangerous. When performed properly by a licensed and trained Doctor of Chiropractic Medicine, spinal manipulation and adjustments are low-risk and highly effective.
It’s also commonly believed that, once you begin chiropractic adjustments, you must continue them for the rest of your life. The truth is that subluxations and misalignments can happen as a result of everyday stress and daily living, and adjustments treat those subluxations. Regular visits to your chiropractor can help you maintain good spine health, and pain can return with new subluxations, but chiropractic care does not alter your body in a manner which makes it necessary to have ongoing care.
Often, people believe chiropractors are not “real” doctors, or that they’re distrusted as a whole by other medical professionals. It’s often surprising to learn that chiropractic students receive more hours of classroom instruction than medical students and must complete a residency program similar to that required of medical doctors. Upon graduation, passing four sets of national board exams and one state board exam are required for licensing.
Other myths about chiropractor care center around the cost. It’s often perceived to be expensive, but most insurance plans, including Medicare and Medicaid programs, offer coverage for chiropractic adjustments. Because treatment is non-invasive, with no prescriptions or surgery, out-of-pocket costs can be significantly less expensive than care through a medical doctor.
Debunking One of the Biggest Myths About Chiropractor Care
Of all the misconceptions surrounding chiropractic treatment, few are as pervasive or as inaccurate as the idea that chiropractors only treat back pain. While chiropractors do focus on maintaining proper spinal alignment, their methods are effective treatment for a wide array of conditions. From chronic joint pain to recurring headaches, asthma to autoimmune disorders, Doctors of Chiropractic can and do treat far more than just back pain.
In addition to adjustments, some Doctors of Chiropractic may offer nutritional and dietary supplement advice, customized exercise plans tailored to the unique needs of a patient and more. Each practice is unique, with some integrating systems like clinical massage and cryotherapy.
In the end, the most common myths about chiropractor care are based on misinformation. Doctors of Chiropractic are extensively trained and licensed professionals, the care they provide is affordable and safe, and you won’t have to maintain a steady schedule of adjustments for the rest of your life after visiting a chiropractor for the first time.
If you’re suffering from chronic pain, hard-to-treat medical conditions or stiffness and range of motion, a Doctor of Chiropractic may be your key to a life of lessened pain and increased overall health.
