Misconceptions about the use of chiropractic medicine are numerous. They include such questions as do adjustments hurt, are they safe, can I adjust myself, will I get addicted to chiropractic medicine and chiropractic results are just a placebo effect.
Many people believe that if they start going to the chiropractor they\’ll end up going forever. But most people only want to be treated for a specific pain or illness and when that symptom disappears and they stop going. Other people choose to use the chiropractor to correct the initial discomfort and underlying cause but then, to remain at an optimal level of health, they choose to continue to receive adjustments and keep their spine and joints in alignment. The treatment approach used by an individual is totally their choice.
Another myth that\’s common is that people have heard that chiropractic adjustments will wear out the joints. In fact, the reverse is true. Chiropractic care can actually help prevent joints from wearing out. Bones don\’t actually rub on each other; instead they are cushioned by cartilage and enclosed in a capsule with lubricating fluid. Chiropractors focus their attention on areas of the body and spine which have limited movement in order to improve the function of the joints and therefore decrease the degeneration that normally happens as we age.
While chiropractic medicine is a recognized as a generally safe course of action, there have also been studies which have shown that with specific cervical spine adjustments that potential increases for the individual to suffer a stroke. It is for this reason that traditional medicine specialists recommends that individuals not to seek the care of a chiropractor in order to treat chronic headaches. This is because treatment for chronic headaches with the chiropractor involves consistent neck manipulations which can increase the risk of stroke.
A common myth about chiropractic medicine is that chiropractors are only effective for low back pain. This couldn\’t be further from the truth. The subluxations of the spinal column which results in pinched nerves and resulting pain, muscle spasms and decreased nerve innervation to body organs can happen anywhere on the spinal column from the neck to the sacrum. While there is been more research done on chiropractic care for low back pain and manipulations done in the lumbar region, chiropractors have been working on individuals with neck pain and shoulder pain for years. In the recent past chiropractors are also including cranial manipulations in order to improve an individual\’s health. These manipulations are done on the skull.
Some people believe that spinal adjustments will be uncomfortable. What most find after their first adjustment is that the fear of the adjustments was much worse than the adjustment itself. Even spinal adjustments done to the cervical area, neck, are not uncomfortable to the patients. What individuals may find is that following the adjustments muscles may be sore as they adjust to their correct position.
What has been found over the past decade is that experienced, professional chiropractors are able to give profound relief and participate in preventive care with their patients and their patient\’s medical physician. There will always be physicians whether chiropractors, dentists or medical doctors, who are not experts and work on ethically. These few bad apples tend to give the entire profession a bad name.
RESOURCES
Liberty Wellness: Rumor Has It
Dayton Chiropractic: Five Misconceptions About Chiropractic Care
Southwest Spine Centers: CHallenging Misconceptions about Chiropractic Care
Acupuncture and Chiropractic Center: CHiropractic Misconceptions