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Chiropractic care can provide proven relief from neck pain, back pain, and similar symptoms. Despite decades of evidence supporting chiropractic treatment, however, there are a number of prevailing myths about chiropractic care. Today, we’re featuring the top four myths about chiropractic treatment:
1) If You See a Chiropractor Once, You’ll Need to Continue Going Back
Some people claim that if you see a chiropractor once, then you’ll need to keep going back. This isn’t true. A chiropractor will create a customized treatment plan for each patient. Some patients will benefit from regular visits, while other patients can receive relief from a single visit. The decision to continue care is entirely up to the patient.
2) Chiropractors Aren’t Real Doctors
Chiropractors are designated to use the title “doctor” – just like dentists, optometrists, and physicians can use that title. The title of “chiropractor” is also regulated in all 50 states. Chiropractors are required to undergo comprehensive Doctor of Chiropractor degree programs. During these programs, chiropractors receive extensive education and training.
3) There’s Limited Evidence Supporting Chiropractic Care
Chiropractic care is an alternative medical treatment. That doesn’t mean, however, that chiropractic care is backed by no evidence. There has been extensive research on spinal and joint manipulation, for example, which have proven to be effective treatments for acute and chronic musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions like back pain. The clinical practice guidelines of the American College of Physicians, the American Pain Society, and Britain’s National Institute of Health, for example, all recommend using spinal manipulative therapy (SMT) as first line intervention for back pain.
4) Chiropractic Adjustments Are Painful
Some people avoid chiropractic care because they believe chiropractic adjustments are painful.
Generally speaking, chiropractic adjustments and join manipulations do not hurt the patient. On the contrary, many patients experience an immediate reduction of pain from adjustments and manipulations. Even in situations where the patient’s joints “crack” during treatment, this rarely causes pain. Just like cracking your knuckles, these pops are thought to be caused by the release of gas bubbles from your joints.