Busting Some of the Big Myths About Chiropractic Care

Many people out there don’t really understand how chiropractic care works and they believe a number of incorrect myths about it. While many of these myths are harmless, there are some that are very incorrect and create the wrong image of chiropractors. This might prevent people from choosing to visit a chiropractor and stop them from enjoying the benefits of this service.

Here are a few of the biggest myths when it comes to chiropractic care, which are simply not true:

A Chiropractor Will Crack Your Bones

Many people believe that when they visit a chiropractor, the doctor will adjust their spine until it makes a cracking sound – a thought that scares many people and makes them fear bone damage. However, chiropractors are not really manipulating the bones of the patient, they are focusing on the joints – which are the points of connection between the two bones. When a chiropractor performs an adjustment, they will be specifically mobilizing a particular joint in the body which will affect its position and movement. A chiropractic treatment will also include soft tissue and muscle massage, stretching, ergonomic advice and nutritional counselling.

Sometimes there is an audible sound heard when this manipulation is done, which is only cause by the expansion of gases within the opening of the joint space. This causes no permanent damage to the joint and does not affect the bones.

Chiropractors Aren’t Really Real Doctors

Many people don’t really consider chiropractors to be in the same category as doctors, considering them to be less qualified and professional. However, this is not true either. The amount of training, schooling and examinations that chiropractic doctors must pass is similar to medical doctors and they must pass certain national certifications to be able to operate a licensed practice. Your chiropractor is a highly knowledgeable healthcare professional, with all of the qualifications to prove it.

Chiropractic Care Only Helps with Back Pain

This is another myth that is perpetuated with chiropractic care, which is simply not true. While many chiropractors will care primarily for people with back pain, this is not the only type of pain that they treat. The benefits of this type of care are much more extensive than just helping people with back pain. Many chiropractors will take a more whole-body approach to improving health, including correcting all subluxations in the body – such as in the shoulders, wrists, elbows, ankles and knees. When the entire muscular and joint system is working correctly, this will ease a significant amount of discomfort and provide relief from a number of chronic conditions.

Chiropractic Care is Not for Children

Many people think that chiropractic care is only for adults and that children will not benefit from this type of care. However, people of every age can receive care – from children to teenagers to the elderly. Many spinal problems in adults begin as early as birth and can lead to misalignment and chronic pain later in life – treating children helps to manage this. Chiropractic care for children has been shown to improve sleep, attitude, mood and behaviour as well as increase immune system function.

You Have to Go For the Rest of Your Life

For some reason, there is a misconception that chiropractic treatment is addictive and once you are treated once, you need to visit your chiropractor frequently for the rest of your life. Of course, this is only a myth and it is not true. If you are being treated for a specific issue, as soon as the problem has been resolved your treatment plan should end. Sometimes if you have a chronic problem that continues to reoccur, you might want to schedule periodic visits to manage it over the long term – but this is up to you. Chiropractic care is not addictive and the amount of care you use is up to you. You are never obligated to continue treatment, although you might want to come back for regular check-up appointments – which can be booked using a website such as PerfectPatients.com for professional chiropractic marketing services. You might find that the treatments benefit you so much, that you want to keep regular chiropractic care as part of your lifestyle.

These are just a few of the myths about chiropractic care that are simply not true, so that you can be aware of the truth behind this medical practice.