Myths Vs Facts About Chiropractic
Myth #1: Chiropractors are not "real" doctors
Fact:
Like medical doctors, Chiropractors first get an undergraduate degree and then they follow that up with a graduate degree and a doctorate in chiropractic. Chiropractic students receive 4,485 hours of college class room instruction, while medical doctors receive 4,248 hours of class room instruction.
Fact:
Myth 2: Once you go to a chiropractor, you will have to go for the
rest of your life
Chiropractic, like optimal health is a personal choice. There are three stages of chiropractic care:
Stage one: relief care, focusing on the worst aspect of your pain and/or discomfort. This is typically between 6 – 18 visits. The frequency is to establish a foundation we will build on your road to recovery akin to exercising in the gym if you go once a week, the more often you go, the faster you see and feel results. As chiropractors we take a Holistic approach to medicine to reduce your need for pain medication.
Stage two: We focus on the exam, your history and the X-ray. This phase of care is the corrective care phase. This phase is designed to correct the problem so that the patient has less chance of relapsing, and it helps promote a higher level of spinal health. The patient is not seen as frequently, and adjustments are spaced out.
Phase Three: of care is called wellness care, and this is designed to maintain spinal health. This phase patients choose to be adjusted between once per week or up to once per month. But keep in mind: it is always your choice to determine what type of care you are looking for. You do not have to go to a chiropractor for the rest of your life if you choose not too. Some patients just want to feel better, and then they stop, and when they have a new injury they come back to resolve the issue. Chiropractic care is a choice, and it is always your choice on where you want to take your health
Fact:
Myth 3:
Neck adjustments
cause strokes
Blood flows to the brain through two sets of arteries passing through the neck. These arteries may become weekend or damaged, either over time through aging or disease, or as a result of injury. A blood clot may form in a damaged artery. All or part of the clot may break off and travel up the artery to the brain where it can interrupt blood flow and cause a stroke.
Many common activities of daily living involving ordinary neck movements have been associated with stroke resulting from damage to an artery in the neck, or a clot that already existed in the artery breaking off and traveling to the brain. Chiropractic treatment has also been associated with stroke. However, that association occurs very infrequently, and may be explained because an artery was already damaged and the patient was progressing toward a stroke when the patient consulted the chiropractor. Present medical and scientific evidence does not establish that chiropractic treatment causes either damage to an artery or stroke.
Fact:
Myth 4:
Chiropractic care is for adults only and children should not be adjusted
Chiropractic care is NOT just for adult’s, it can help everyone achieve a higher level of health. If you think about the birth process, this can be one of the most traumatic things that are bodies ever go through, especially if forceps, a vacuum or excessive force is used. Excessive twisting, pulling or tugging can subluxate or misalign vertebrae putting crushing pressure on the infant’s nerves. Chiropractors can adjust newborns, and children of all ages. The sooner you start to take care of your spine, the healthier your spine will be for years to come, and the healthier your body potentially will be.
Fact:
Myth 5: I adjust my own back, I don't
need a chiropractor
No one can adjust your own back, you may be able to manipulate the vertebrae which you feel is an adjustment, but only chiropractors can truly delivery a specific adjustment to a specific vertebrae. When you manipulate your own back, you risk injury, you risk developing hypermobility which then can lead to early degenerative changes.
Fact:
Myth 6:
Chiropractors crack your bones
Chiropractors do not crack or break bones. When an adjustment is given the act of the adjustment may give off an audible or a popping like sound. This is just gas being released and is an effect of the adjustment. This popping sound is not the adjustment. The adjustment entitles restoring motion back into a vertebrae to help facilitate the healing process. If there is gas present in the joint it can make noise, and some adjustments do not produce any noise at all.
Fact:
Myth 7: Chiropractic care is
too expensive
There are three treatment plans that typical patients fall under. First is relief care, second is corrective care and the third is wellness care. Patients who have experienced long-term care and have been taught the chiropractic principle understand the value of a chiropractic lifestyle and that it improves quality of life. Chiropractic care is covered by most extended health care plans, and most of the time we can direct bill the insurance company on your behalf.
Fact:
Myth 8: Adjustments are
painful
A typical adjustment is not painful. I would say 10% of my patients report some discomfort after their first adjustment. But that is no different then working out for the fist time. When you make change or do something different to your body it may react. This discomfort usually does not last long, and most of the time can be resolved by icing the area 20 min on 20 min off and then 20 min on again.
Fact:
Myth 9: You need MD approval or an MD referral to
see a Chiropractor
You do not need approval from your Medical doctor or even a referral from an MD to see a chiropractor. Chiropractors just like medical doctors are considered primary care practitioners.
Ron Toma
"
Chief Chiropractor // Founder
DR. Ron Toma, DC
“Chiropractic care is a choice, and it is always your choice on where you want to take your health.“
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