Ten Chiropractor Myths Busted By Falls Clinic of Chiropractic [Sponsored]

False. Over many years, the public has come to think of a doctor as someone who only prescribes pills or performs surgeries. In order to practice as a chiropractor in the United States, you must graduate from a recognized school of chiropractic as a doctor of chiropractic. Then you must pass both national and state board exams to qualify for a license. A chiropractor has an equally extensive education in basic human health sciences as any other doctor. How a chiropractor differs is the philosophy behind how those basic health sciences are applied to help an individual to maximize their health. The other main difference is the methods used to improve health for a patient. As medical doctors are learning about pharmacology and/or surgery, doctors of chiropractic are learning about adjusting techniques, physical therapy techniques, and clinical nutrition to be able to help their patients using proven holistic treatments.

False. Chiropractic can make a major impact on ANYONE's health, from newborns to geriatrics. Reducing nerve irritation improves the body's natural ability to heal, regardless of age. This can help a variety of conditions ranging from Headaches and Carpal tunnel syndrome to Acid Reflux and IBS.

False. Some chiropractors only focus on caring for people who have back pain. The benefits of chiropractic are much greater than helping with only back pain. The vertebral subluxation complex often contributes to this condition and the available research indicates that chiropractic is the most effective approach in helping people with this condition. Subluxation is a where one or more joints of the spine are not moving properly, irritating the spine and nerves at that level. The wide- ranging detrimental effects of subluxation manifest a wide variety of health challenges and conditions besides back pain. Many chiropractors focus their practice on improving an individual’s overall health by correcting all subluxations in the body and not just the ones associated with back pain or any other symptom. The reality is, most subluxations will not have associated symptoms for years. Correcting these subluxations is still very important because this helps to prevent future health conditions.

False. Quality of life is the key to understanding this myth. Those who have experienced long-term chiropractic care recognize that chiropractic care doesn't cost, IT PAYS!!! A study done in 1996 (Coulter et al, TopClinChiro) showed 87% of long-time chiropractic patients considered their health as excellent, took less medications, and experienced less chronic conditions associated with ageing. Think of chiropractic as a 401K plan for your body...it may cost a bit now, but the payoff is immeasurable. In fact, even in a publicly funded health care system where some other approaches are 100% covered by our tax dollars, millions of people value chiropractic enough to be more than willing to pay for their care with their own hard-earned money. We appreciate that fact, and it encourages us to work as hard as possible to deliver the best care possible for our patients.

False. Most times a spinal adjustment itself will not hurt at all. In fact, a great sense of relief is often experienced by the patient. This is because the irritation and pressure on the nerve have been reduced. On some occasions it may feel like someone is momentarily pressing on a bruise. As your body adapts and begins to heal, you may experience some additional discomfort, similar to the sensation of tender muscles after starting an exercise program. Over time, as your nervous system integrates the effects of the adjustments, most people feel a continuing sense of ease. This is one reason many people make chiropractic the cornerstone of their wellness lifestyle.

False. The truth is, there is no scientific evidence that there is an increased risk of ANY serious event following a chiropractic adjustment. There are some who suggest that the chance of having a stroke from a chiropractic adjustment is about 1 in 1,000,000. While this number has never been scientifically verified, only estimated, if it is even remotely accurate, it indicates that you have a better chance of being struck by lightning, being killed on a bicycle, or dying from taking aspirin, than you have of being seriously injured by chiropractic. This is the reason that malpractice insurance for doctors of chiropractic are among the lowest of any health care practitioner.

False. This statement implies that chiropractic care is addictive. Would you want to continue to do something that gives you an increased level of health and vitality? After experiencing the many benefits of chiropractic care for naturally helping the body heal, many patients do! Of course the amount of chiropractic care you utilize is always up to you. Most patients who see the huge changes in their energy, immune function, sleep patterns and general well-being choose to maintain chiropractic care as part of their wellness lifestyle. It soon becomes an integral and important approach to enjoying a higher quality of life.

False. If chiropractic is just a health trend, then it is the country's longest trend since it has been around over 100 years. Chiropractic is the largest drug-free form of health care and the third largest form of ANY health care in North America. In addition, different methods of bone setting methods have been around for thousands of years. Only recently have people come to rely on drugs and surgery.

False. Over the years, there have been hundreds of studies proving its validity in improving the health of millions of people all over the world. Studies in the past five years have shown the positive benefits on increasing immune function, general well-being in the elderly and increased brain function. The science is there, all one has to do is take a look.

False. Many people complete this statement with "I'm too old", "because of my genetics", "I've been told I have to live with it", or "the specialist said nothing can be done". Only a chiropractor can tell you how chiropractic can help you improve your health. Remember that the nervous system controls every cell, tissue and organ in the human body. The vertebral subluxation interferes with this normal nerve function. An alteration in this nerve function leads to an alteration in tissue function. As such, the key to optimum health is maintaining normal nerve function. No other professionals are qualified to make decisions on whether or not chiropractic care can help you. You wouldn't ask your plumber how to fix your car. If you want to understand chiropractic, talk with a doctor of chiropractic.