Chiropractic Myths

As successful as chiropractic has become, there are a lot of myths circulating among the general public. Times have definitely changed for the better, but the fact is that many people still do not understand what chiropractors do. Let's talk about a few of the more common myths about chiropractic.

Myth #1 - Chiropractors are not real doctors.

A chiropractic college grants a D.C. or Doctorate of Chiropractic degree. Chiropractors are licensed as health care providers in every U.S. state and dozens of countries around the world. The chiropractic and medical school curricula are extremely rigorous and virtually identical. In fact, chiropractors have more hours of classroom education than their medical counterparts. As part of their education, chiropractic students also complete a residency working with real patients in a clinical setting, supervised by licensed doctors of chiropractic. Once chiropractic students graduate, they have to pass four sets of national board exams as well as state board exams in the states where they want to practice.

Just like medical doctors, chiropractors are professionals that are subject to the same type of testing procedures, licensing and monitoring by state and national peer-reviewed boards. Federal and state programs, such as Medicare, Medicaid, and Workers' Compensations programs cover chiropractic care, and all federal agencies accept sick-leave certificates signed by doctors of chiropractic. Chiropractors are also commissioned as officers in the military.

The biggest difference between chiropractors and medical doctors lies not in their level of education, but in their preferred method of caring for people. Medical doctors are trained in the use of medicines (chemicals that affect your internal biochemistry) and surgery. Consequently, if you have a chemical problem, such as diabetes, hypothyroidism, or an infection, medical doctors are very helpful. However, if your problem is that your spine is mis-aligned or you have soft tissue damage causing pain, there is no chemical in existence that can fix it. You need a physical solution to correct a physical problem. That is where chiropractic really shines. Chiropractors provide physical solutions -- adjustments, exercises, stretches, muscle therapy -- to help the body heal from conditions that are physical in origin, such as back pain, muscle spasms, headaches, and poor posture. Another distinction is the fact that it is completely appropriate to receive chiropractic care even if you do not have symptoms. Unlike standard medical doctors, whom you visit when you have a symptom to be treated, chiropractors offer adjustments to improve spinal alignment and overall well-being before symptoms develop.

Myth #2 - Once you start going to a chiropractor,
you have to keep going for the rest of your life.

This statement comes up frequently when the topic of chiropractic is discussed. It is only partially true. You only have to continue going to the chiropractor as long as you wish to maintain the health of your neuromusculoskeletal system. Going to a chiropractor is much like going to the dentist, exercising at a gym, or eating a healthy diet: As long as you keep it up, you continue to enjoy the benefits.

Many years ago, dentists convinced everyone that the best time to go to the dentist is before your teeth hurt, that routine dental care will help your teeth remain healthy for a long time. The same is true of chiropractic care for your spine. It is important to remember that, just like your teeth, your spine experiences normal wear and tear as you walk, drive, sit, lift, sleep, and bend. One thing to remember, your teeth can be replaced…but you only have one spine. Routine chiropractic care can help you feel better, move with more freedom, and stay healthier throughout your lifetime. Although you can enjoy the benefits of chiropractic care even if you receive care for a short time, the real benefits come into play when you make chiropractic care a part of your wellness lifestyle.

Myth #3 – Chiropractic medicine is too expensive
and is not covered by health insurance

Actually studies that have proven the scientific foundation of chiropractic medicine have also proven the cost-effectiveness of the practice. Particularly in the area of low back pain and injuries, chiropractic medicine has been shown to reduce overall costs of treatment, and prevention of relapse.

Most major insurance plans have also accepted chiropractic medicine as a mainstream health care choice for primary care and treatment. Because chiropractic medicine is now routinely covered by insurance, under most insurance plans, a client no longer needs to first obtain a referral from a medical doctor before seeking chiropractic care. Check your own health insurance policy and you are likely to be pleasantly surprised that your chiropractic health care is a permitted expense.

Myth #4 – Chiropractic adjustments will cause you to have a stroke.

This myth is not only false; it creates unnecessary fear and reluctance to try chiropractic health care. The facts about strokes are very clear and quite surprising: your chances of having a stroke from chiropractic care are about the same as your chances of being hit by lightening. In fact, your risk of having a stroke from the daily aspirin you may be taking to prevent a heart attack is about 70,000 times greater that your risk of having a stroke from a chiropractic adjustment. You are 37,000 times more likely to have a stroke from no reason at all than you are from chiropractic health care. A recent study indicates that the odds of having a stroke were equal for people who visited their PCP or Chiropractor. Do your body a favor and don’t buy into this myth. There is NO science to back it up.