For unknown reasons, myths about various career fields persist. For example, you might have heard that accountants spend most of their time preparing tax returns, lawyers argue cases in the courtroom, and that all professional football players are millionaires. All those statements are incorrect but widely believed. The truth is that only a small percentage of accountants ever touch a tax return, few lawyers ever see the inside of a courtroom, and the vast majority of pro footballers are far from being wealthy.
How To Destroy Myths and Misinformation
Like many other professions, chiropractic medicine is subject to its share of myths, misinformation, and misunderstandings. Many of the factual errors arise from the fact that many people aren’t quite sure what chiropractors do, how well they’re trained, and how effective their treatment methods are.
How can you bust the myths? Be informed, do research, and see for yourself, first-hand, by getting treatment from a chiropractor then next time you experience any type of pain or discomfort, are injured in an accident, or suffer from migraines or postural problems. The following five myths about chiropractic medicine are still around. It’s up to us to dispel them with facts.
The 5 Most Common Myths About Chiropractic Medicine
Of course, there are many more than five myths about the profession, but these are perhaps the ones you’ll hear most frequently. The next time one pops up in a conversation, remember the “fact” portion of the listings below so you can offer the truth to your companions.
- Myth: Chiropractors only treat backs It’s easy to understand how this myth arose. It’s similar to the “accountants only do taxes” error. Because chiropractic physicians are back and spine specialists, many people assume that’s all they do.
- Fact: They do much more than that Where to begin? This persistent myth couldn’t be further from the truth. In addition to whiplash-related injuries, back, neck, shoulder, leg, arm and other sources of pain, chiropractors are licensed to offer nutritional and exercise advice, as well as do clinical analysis of posture and gait (walking technique). Additionally, they treat musculoskeletal disorders, headaches of all kinds, and many other serious conditions in adults and children.
- Myth: Chiropractors are not extensively trained This myth has been around for a long time but, fortunately, is starting to lose some steam as more and more people get pain relief and other benefits that the field of chiropractic medicine has to offer.
- Fact: It takes four years and four board exams to get into the profession
The truth is that chiropractors undergo the most detailed, challenging, and academically strenuous training of all medical professionals. Not only much a licensed DC notch hundreds of hours of clinical practice and four full years of university-level study, and then pass four separate board exams. - Myth: Chiropractic care is not suitable for children
This is one of the newer myths about the profession, and it’s just as wrong as the others. - Fact: People of all ages, from birth to their elder years, get multiple benefits from chiropractic treatment
Many studies have demonstrated the benefits of chiropractic treatment for young children and even newborns. Not only can youngsters have better posture when they get care, they’re able to go through their formative years with attentive care that helps identify various medical conditions early, which is when treatment is most effective. - Myth: No insurance covers chiropractic care
This old myth is finally beginning to die, thanks to the fact that it’s not only wrong, but so many people see chiropractors and know what the real situation is. - Fact: Most major insurance carriers reimburse for chiropractic care
Of the nearly 50,000-plus chiropractors in the U.S., all accept at least one form of major medical insurance, while most accept multiple types of coverage. - Myth: Adjustments hurt This common myth is right up there next to the ones that claim a dental cleaning is painful (it isn’t) or that exercise “wears down” your muscles (it doesn’t). Folks who either purvey or believe this myth have never been to a chiropractor in their lives.
- Fact: Chiropractic adjustments are not painful
Most people either find adjustments to be relaxing or they don’t report any pain or relaxation at all, rather a neutral experience.
It Doesn’t End There
In addition to the five myths listed above, there are many more. Here are three that get “honorable mention” because they seem to recur from time to time, making the rounds on the internet.
- Myth: People become addicted to chiropractic adjustments
This myth is interesting because it seems to be based on nothing more than someone’s over-active imagination. Plus, it doesn’t jibe with the other myth about adjustments being painful. If they’re so painful, then how could they be addictive. Myths and pieces of misinformation like this don’t make logical sense anyway, so it’s understandable that there would be contradictions between the myths themselves. - Fact: No one has ever become “addicted” to any type of chiropractic care or treatment regimen
The very idea of a medical procedure being addictive is ludicrous. Yes, many people find spinal adjustments to be comforting and helpful, but addictive? The answer is a big “no.” - Myth: Treatment is expensive
This one is hard to pin down because it is so contrary to actual fact. Yet, you’ll routinely hear people claim that they would like to see a chiropractor but are put off by the “high cost.” - Fact: Chiropractic care is less costly than other types of medical treatment
Compared to a visit to an MD or even a dentist, chiropractic visits represent one of the true bargains in modern-day healthcare. Not only are most visits reimbursable by insurers, but the per-visit cost is typically lower than seeing an MD. Plus, people who see chiropractors regularly can avoid long-term medical problems that are often exorbitantly costly. - Myth: Treatment is dangerous and bad for a person’s bones
Myths are strange things. Some have absolutely no basis in reality. This one is in that category. - Fact: Chiropractic care is neither dangerous nor “bad” for bones.
Risk levels are extremely low compared to all other forms of medical care. Maybe that’s because chiropractors use no drugs or invasive surgery. The high risk of complications from surgery are well known, as are the many potential side-effects from prescription drugs. There is no truth to the other part of the myth, either. Sometimes, spinal adjustments cause popping or cracking sounds, but that is simply the result of small pockets of gas between the vertebrae being released. There’s no pain or harmful effect at all. On the contrary, an adjustment is beneficial to the spine because it aids proper alignment.
Take Care of Your Body the Right Way
If you want to get all the benefits of expert chiropractic care, visit one of our offices in Delaware, or simply give us a call at 302-376-5830 or 302-744-8650. Feel free to contact us for an appointment or to ask any question you have about chiropractic care.
