10 Myths about Chiropractic

The Top 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.

In order to practice as a chiropractor in Canada you must graduate from a recognised school of chiropractic as a doctor of chiropractic. Then you must pass both national and provincial board exams to qualify for a license. In Ontario a chiropractor is one of 5 health professionals legally entitled to use the title doctor. 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 maximise their health.
***This is the same in the U.S. a Chiropractor must graduate from a recognized school of chiropractic as a D.C. (doctor of chiropractic) and pass national, and state board exams to qualify for a license***
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

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 How it Works
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 recognise 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.

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 to our patients.

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 utilise 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 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. Contact a CAC chiropractor near you to see how chiropractic can help you live life to the fullest!
Chiropractic Awareness Council (Great Site!)