Myth: Chiropractors are actually not doctors
Chiropractors have come to be considered as not doctors - because people in general associate doctors as someone who prescribes drugs and/or performs surgery. Most people are not willing to accept the fact that there are other methods of treatment than visiting pill popping doctors.
To become a Doctor of Chiropractic, one has to complete 6 to 8 years of college education, which includes over 4,500 classroom hours of health specific sciences - this is more than the average medical school curriculum. They are also required to pass rigorous National Board Examinations and other state testing before being allowed to practice.
Myth: Spinal adjustments are painful.
This is not true. Actually after treatment patients generally feel instant relief. Most often patients look forward to their chiropractic treatment.
Myth: You will have to go get chiropractic treatments for the rest of your life if you go once to him for treatment.
This is absolutely false. Most Chiropractors generally like to treat one patient a couple of times, get his/her problem sorted out, and have the patients refer their friends. This way he could expand his patient base as against treating one person for the rest of their life.
Chiropractic can be compared to a visit to a dentist - a visit to the dentist more than once in a person’s lifetime is necessary to maintain good dental health.
Unlike popping pills, chiropractic adjustments also produce permanent results in patients suffering from chronic pain. As a result, many patients choose to continue regular checkups, even after the symptoms are no longer there, in order to help prevent future ailments.
Myth: An adjustment can cause a stroke.
There is insufficient scientific evidence to show that there is any serious risk involved following a chiropractic adjustment. The chance of having a stroke is about 1 in a 1,000,000, from a chiropractic adjustment. This is only an estimate and has not been proven scientifically. Even if it were true, there is a greater risk of an individual dying from taking aspirin, being killed by riding a bicycle or being struck by lightening.
Myth: Chiropractic is only for the treatment of back pain.
Effective treatment for all types of soft tissue disorders, as well as for neck and back ailments, are provided by chiropractors. They also treat a number of non-soft tissue conditions such as ulcers, painful periods, migraines, and ear infections in children, just to name a few.
Myth: Chiropractic is not scientifically based.
There have been numerous studies, over the years, proving chiropractic validity in improving the health of hundreds of people. Studies in recent years have shown the certain benefits on general well-being, immune function and increased brain function. In the last twenty years or so, chiropractic health care has established an array of scientific research that shows the safety, efficacy and cost effectiveness of chiropractic care.
Myth: Chiropractors are anti-drug.
Most chiropractors generally do not prescribe drugs. Therefore, many are of the impression that they are anti-drug. This is not true - they believe in the rational use of drugs. Chiropractors prefer natural, non invasive alternatives and believe in eliminating the cause of the problem, rather than masking it. However, if they feel that a patient would benefit from medication, they do recommend it.
