| If I go to a chiropractor, I have to continue going forever. | |
| That's entirely up to you. Some people only want to be treated for a specific pain or illness, and when the symptoms disappear they stop going. Others use chiropractic care to fully correct the underlying cause of the symptoms and to remain at an optimal level of health. Like a car, your body has constant stress and wear, and it benefits from a 'tune-up'. However, the treatment approach you prefer is always your choice. | |
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| I've heard chiropractic wears out your joints. | |
| In fact, the reverse is true... Chiropractic care can help prevent joints from wearing out! Bones don't actually "rub" on each other. Instead, each joint is enclosed in a "capsule" with a lubricating fluid that should normally offer a lifetime of friction-free movement. When there is a loss of proper motion or position of spinal bones (vertebral subluxation) it can lead to degenerative changes. The body will often attempt to make up the difference of a restricted spinal joint by moving too much in the spinal segments above or below the affected area. Obviously, areas of too much movement are left to stabilize during the healing process. Instead, chiropractic spinal adjustments are directed only to those areas that are "stuck" and not moving enough. |
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| Adjustments are dangerous and can cause a stroke. | |
| Chiropractic is recognized as one of the safest types of health care in the world. Numerous studies, including those funded by governments, universities and nonprofit research institutions, have proven it to be a successful primary therapy for neuromusculoskeletal conditions -- a therapy that is safer, in fact, than most medical procedures used to treat the same conditions. The source of public concern in this regard is a condition known as vertebral artery syndrome (VAS), which occurs when sudden head movements disrupt the blood flow in the vertebral artery, possibly leading to stroke. According to the 1996 RAND report, "The Appropriateness of Manipulation and Mobilization of the Cervical Spine," only one out of every one million chiropractic patients experiences VAS. |
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| Chiropractic is only effective for low back pain. | |
| Some chiropractors choose to focus only on caring for people who have back pain. Vertebral subluxation often contributes to this condition and the available research indicates that chiropractic is one of the most effective approaches in helping people with spinal pain. However, the benefits of chiropractic are much greater than just helping with pain. The wide- ranging detrimental effects of the vertebral subluxation manifest in a variety of health challenges and conditions. The majority of chiropractors focus their practice on improving an individual's overall health by correcting all subluxations in the body, not just the ones associated with back pain or any other symptom. Most subluxations have no associated symptoms as only a small percentage of nerves actually sense pain signals. Correcting these subluxations is still very important because they are a detriment to your health whenever they are present. Chiropractic can have a major positive impact on ANYONE's health, from newborns to geriatrics. Reducing nerve interference allows the full expression of the body's inborn ability to repair and thrive, regardless of age, condition, or the presence or absence of symptoms or disease. |
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| Chiropractic results are just a placebo effect. | |
| This is a convenient claim made by critics who have chosen to overlook convincing evidence to the contrary. The placebo effect depends on the power of suggestion. Yet positive chiropractic results have been enjoyed by newborns, infants, even pets that have been hit by cars, and others for whom the power of suggestion isn't possible! Plus, there are alterations to a patient's spine from chiropractic care. Many see dramatic changes when they compare X-ray views taken before and after a period of care. Other tests show improved range of motion and flexibility. There's no question that the power of suggestion can be an important ally in the healing process. However, it can't begin to explain the millions of patients who have been helped with chiropractic care. |
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| Chiropractors are not real doctors. | |
| So, is a chiropractor a real doctor? Absolutely! A chiropractor is a real doctor with a unique purpose. What your doctor of chiropractic can offer, no other doctor can. 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. The public needs to understand that there is more to healthcare than just drugs and surgery - much more. Doctors of Chiropractic (DC's) graduate with an equally extensive education in basic human health sciences as any other doctor. Click here to see a comparison of chiropractic education and traditional medical education. Chiropractors differ from medical doctors in their philosophy and application of the health sciences to help individuals maximize their health. Chiropractors are the spinal health care experts in the health care system with a focus on a conservative, drug-free approach to health and performance. |
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| Spinal adjustments are uncomfortable. | |
| There are many techniques available to adjust the spine - ranging from the classic dynamic thrust to very light forces or contacts, and can include table or instrument assisted delivery. Modern chiropractors utilize safe and effective procedures suitable to the patient's age, condition and comfort levels. Most often a spinal adjustment itself will not hurt at all. In 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. |
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| Chiropractic can't help me because... | |
| Many people complete this statement with "I'm too old", "of my genetics", "I've been told I have to live with it", or "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, a major 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. | |
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| I don't believe in chiropractic. | |
| While chiropractic is different, it certainly isn't something that you have to 'believe in' for it to work. Instead, chiropractic results are produced by adhering to scientifically confirmed facts: The nervous system helps control and regulate every cell of your body. Nerve impulses flow from the brain, down the spinal cord, and to every organ and tissue. Impulses sent back to the brain confirm that the body is working as it should. The moving bones of the spine can interfere with this exchange by irritating adjacent nerves. Ill health can result from distorted or compromised nervous system control of the body. Chiropractic care helps restore the integrity of the nervous system by reducing interferences caused by improper spinal function. |
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| There is no scientific proof that chiropractic works. | |
| Since the media tends to focus on the "drug of the week" or the newest medical "miracle," chiropractic research doesn't get a lot of attention in newspapers and magazines or on television, but it should. After all, according to a report in the Journal of the American Medical Association, six out of every ten Americans use alternatives to medical care, such as chiropractic. Right now, millions of people -- from infants to seniors -- are benefiting from chiropractic and their true stories of renewed health would fill an entire library. In fact, you may have decided to see your chiropractor after talking to a friend or family member who had benefited from chiropractic care. Nearly everyone has heard at least one story testifying to the power of subluxation correction. In health care, these accounts are considered "anecdotal evidence" and, although they can be a very strong indication of chiropractic's value, they don't take the place of scientific research. The truth is, there is scientific evidence out there. One just needs to invest the time to look. Here are a few helpful links to get you started - Journal of Vertebral Subluxation Research - Chiro.org's collection of research - Chirofind's collection of research |
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