Myth #1: Chiropractic is addictive.
Reality: Chiropractic isn’t addictive, however, it is possible to get used to feeling more balanced, less stressed, more energetic and pain free as a result of chiropractic care. It’s similar to how some people get used to exercise and the feelings that come from a workout.
Myth #2: Chiropractic is just for back pain.
Reality: Chiropractic has been used to help many symptoms ranging from sinus pain, migraines, rib pain, menstrual cramps and knee pain. Chiropractic adjustments can also be used on an ongoing basis as prevention, similar to taking antioxidants to ward off disease.
Myth #3: “I can crack my own neck/back. I don’t need a chiropractor.”
Reality: The need to pop your neck or back is caused by tension from a jammed or fixated vertebra, which causes another part of the spine to compensate by moving too much and popping a lot. The jammed part should be adjusted by a chiropractor so that the rest of the spinal column will be balanced and stop being so moveable and noisy. Cracking or popping your own spine may give you relief for a while but soon the urge to ‘pop’ reappears because the cause of the spinal tension hasn’t been corrected.
Myth #4: Chiropractic is dangerous.
Reality: Recent research states that patients are no more likely to suffer a stroke following a visit to a chiropractor than they would after stepping out of their family doctor’s office.1 This means that there is no increased danger from getting a chiropractic adjustment than there is by going to your medical doctor’s office. Another study found that treatment of neck pain with anti inflammatory drugs, like Advil, cause 100-200 deaths per million cases. 2 Compare this with the ratio of 1-2 cases per million for chiropractic. It’s about 100 times safer to go to a chiropractor than to take over the counter medication. That’s something to think about!
- Spine 2008 (Feb 15); 33 (4 Suppl): S176-183
- J. Manipulative Physiol. Ther. 1995 Oct;18(8):530-6.
Myth #5: Chiropractic is only for adults.
Reality: We take our children for regular check-ups at the dentist and optometrist, but we never think of taking them to a chiropractor. Teeth and eyes are important but what about their spines? Did you know that most adult problems that chiropractors deal with actually have a start in childhood. The ‘growing pains’ of a 12 year old boy can become crippling low back and leg pains in adulthood. It’s better to stop it at the beginning than to wait until it gets worse.
Myth #6: Spinal adjustments are uncomfortable.
Reality: Most times a spinal adjustment itself will not hurt at all. In fact a great sense of relief is usually experienced. On some occasions it may feel like a bruise is being pressed or 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.
