10 Myths About Chiropractic
10. Chiropractors are not real doctors.
The public has come to think of a doctor as someone who prescribes pills or removes organs. Sadly, many people also think this is the best, or only, method of viable health care. Being as this aggressive approach is the third leading cause of death (1) , the public needs to understand that there is more to health care then drugs and surgery - much more.
Doctors of chiropractic — who are licensed to practice in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and in many nations around the world — undergo a rigorous education in the healing sciences, similar to that of medical doctors. In some areas, such as anatomy, physiology, rehabilitation, nutrition and public health, they receive more intensive education than their MD counterparts (2).
Like other primary health care doctors, chiropractic students spend a significant portion of their curriculum studying clinical subjects related to evaluating and caring for patients. Typically, as part of their professional training, they must complete a minimum of a one-year clinical-based program dealing with actual patient care. In total, the curriculum includes a minimum of 4,200 hours of classroom, laboratory and clinical experience. The course of study is approved by an accrediting agency which is fully recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. This has been the case for more than 25 years.
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.
So, is a chiropractor a real doctor? Absolutely, a real doctor with a unique purpose. What your doctor of chiropractic can offer, no other doctor can.
1. Public Citizen, '94; JAMA, '98; JAMA '01
2. ACA, '2011
Doctors of chiropractic — who are licensed to practice in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and in many nations around the world — undergo a rigorous education in the healing sciences, similar to that of medical doctors. In some areas, such as anatomy, physiology, rehabilitation, nutrition and public health, they receive more intensive education than their MD counterparts (2).
Like other primary health care doctors, chiropractic students spend a significant portion of their curriculum studying clinical subjects related to evaluating and caring for patients. Typically, as part of their professional training, they must complete a minimum of a one-year clinical-based program dealing with actual patient care. In total, the curriculum includes a minimum of 4,200 hours of classroom, laboratory and clinical experience. The course of study is approved by an accrediting agency which is fully recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. This has been the case for more than 25 years.
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.
So, is a chiropractor a real doctor? Absolutely, a real doctor with a unique purpose. What your doctor of chiropractic can offer, no other doctor can.
1. Public Citizen, '94; JAMA, '98; JAMA '01
2. ACA, '2011
9. It only helps adults, not children.
Chiropractic can make a major impact on ANYONE's health, from newborns to geriatrics. Reducing nerve interference allows the body's inborn ability to look after its own needs to thrive, regardless of age.
Link to Children and Chiropractic
Link to Children and Chiropractic
8. Chiropractic is only effective for back pain.
Some chiropractors focus only on caring for people who have 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. The benefits of chiropractic are much greater than helping with back pain. The wide-ranging detrimental effects of the vertebral subluxation manifest in a wide variety of health challenges and conditions besides back pain. Most chiropractors focus their practice on improving an individuals' 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 they are a detriment to your health whenever they are present.
7. Chiropractic Care is too expensive.
Quality of life is key to understanding this myth. Those who have experienced long-term care and the chiropractic lifestyle 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 an RRSP for your body...it may cost a bit now, but the payoff is immeasurable.
6. Spinal adjustments are uncomfortable.
Most times a spinal adjustment itself will not hurt at all. If fact a great sense of relief will be experienced. On some occasions it may feel like someone is momentarily pressing on a bruise. As your body adapts to your adjustments, 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.
5. An adjustment will cause a stroke.
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.
4. Once you start to go, you always have to go.
The inference of that statement is that chiropractic care is addictive. If continuing to do something that gives you an increased level of health and vitality is addictive, then perhaps it is. 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 approach to enjoying a higher quality of life.
3. Modern chiropractic is just a health trend.
If chiropractic is a health trend, 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.
2. No scientific proof that it works.
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 wellbeing in the elderly and increased brain function. The science is there, all one has to do is take a look.
1. It can't help me with my health problems, because...
Many people complete this statement with "I'm too old", "of my genetics", "I've been told I have to live with it", "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, and vertebral subluxation interferes with normal nerve function. An alteration in nerve function leads to an alteration in tissue function. As such, the key to optimum health is maintaining normal nerve function. No other profession is qualified to make decisions on chiropractic care. You wouldn't ask your plumber how to fix your car. If you want to understand chiropractic, talk with a doctor of chiropractic. Call Dr. Smith today to see how chiropractic can help you live life to the fullest.
Information provided by CAC, nd, http://www.chiropracticawarenesscouncil.org/myths.html
Information provided by CAC, nd, http://www.chiropracticawarenesscouncil.org/myths.html
