Chiropractic care gets a bad rep. While every profession has bad eggs that make certain myths true in those individual cases, this is not the case for the profession as a whole. Chiropractic care is no different. The vast majority of chiropractors care deeply about helping people regain functionality so they can live fuller, happier, healthier lives.
Here is what you need to know about some of the most persistent myths about chiropractic care.
#1. Chiropractic Care Is Pseudoscience
People definitely used to think this before chiropractic care was fully understood. However, chiropractic care is a legitimate profession backed by a large body of research. Chiropractors must earn their Doctor of Chiropractic before they can practice. Just like a medical doctor, chiropractors need extensive schooling, training, experience, and to pass examinations and board reviews in order to earn their certification.
#2. Chiropractors Will Hurt You
It shouldn’t! Chiropractic care may cause some initial discomfort, but people go to chiropractors in order to relieve their pain. Most people feel better after a chiropractic adjustment. You may feel a bit sore after your first few adjustments, the same way you can feel sore after working out. However, once the soreness subsides, you should feel better than you did before.
Bear in mind that complications are possible in every profession, even with the most experienced providers. There are instances where something may go wrong and you get hurt, but this shouldn’t happen – and more often than not, it doesn’t.
If you have any concerns about your care, don’t hesitate to communicate with your chiropractor. Their goal is to help you, not hurt you. They’ll adjust your treatment as needed to ensure that they do just that.
#3. You Can Adjust Yourself
So, technically, you can adjust yourself – it’s just a matter of whether or not you really should. Trying to adjust yourself could lead to worsened injury. This is dangerous and not something you should ever do. It’s best to leave the adjustments to the experienced professionals who have earned their Doctor of Chiropractic and know how to do this safely.
#4. Chiropractors Will Tell You To Keep Going To Them Forever
Unfortunately, this isn’t so much a myth about chiropractic care as it is something that chiropractors who want money do. Every profession has its bad seeds, and chiropractic care is no different. There are indeed chiropractors out there who will tell you that you need regular “maintenance” appointments for the rest of your life.
However, know that once you start chiropractic care, this doesn’t mean that you have to keep going forever. Chiropractic care is like physical therapy: the goal is for you to not need it anymore. Good chiropractors want to help you. They want to get to the root cause of your pain so that you can feel better and go about your life in peace. They don’t want you to keep coming back to them.
As such, this is an easy way to tell a good chiropractor from a sketchy chiropractor. If your chiropractor claims you need maintenance appointments, continue your search. However, if your chiropractor is willing to work with other medical professionals, is actively tracking your progress, and can give you an estimated time-frame of how long you can expect to be in chiropractic care, they likely have your best interests at heart, rather than trying to trap you for your money.
#5. Chiropractors Don’t Like Doctors And Vice Versa
Like the above point, this is a myth about chiropractic care that is indeed a myth in some cases and not in others. Chiropractors who claim that chiropractic care can help with all sorts of different health issues that it really can’t tend to not like doctors much because they see them as competition. Doctors may not like chiropractors because of the bad seeds like this.
However, many chiropractors and doctors have a healthy respect for each other. When chiropractors and doctors alike recognize the limitations of their respective professions and work together in order to see to the patients’ best interests, everyone wins.
As a matter of fact, many hospitals have chiropractors on staff. Chiropractors and doctors can work together in order to figure out the best treatment plan for a patient.
Do You Need Chiropractic Care?
Ogden Chiropractic is here for you! From regular chiropractic adjustments to spinal decompression and more, we offer comprehensive chiropractic care personalized to your unique needs. Contact us today to learn more about our services or to schedule a consultation.