Just Call Me "Mythbuster"

Maybe you’re familiar with the hit show “Mythbusters” that airs on Discovery. The show’s hosts and team members take common scientific myths and put them to the test. This month, I’m going to do the same with myths about chiropractic, to bust what I believe are the most common misconceptions about chiropractic care.

Let’s start with science and Myth #1:  Chiropractic is not scientific.  BUSTED!  There are many studies that outline the efficacy, safety, and cost effectiveness of chiropractic care, and no, not all of them were done by chiropractors! Paul G. Shekelle, M.D., M.P.H., of the RAND Corporation made the following statement on ABC’s 20/20:  “There are considerably more randomized controlled trials which show benefit of this (chiropractic care) than there are for many, many other things which physicians and neurosurgeons do all the time.”

And speaking of physicians, let’s look at Myth #2:  Chiropractors are not real doctors. BUSTED! A chiropractic college grants a D.C. (Doctorate of Chiropractic) degree which follows a curriculum that is extremely rigorous and virtually identical to medical school curriculum. Chiropractors are licensed to practice only after passing national and state board exams and, like medical doctors, are subject to the same type of testing procedures, licensing and monitoring by peer-reviewed boards.

Now here’s a myth I hear all time, and it may be the one that drives me the craziest.  Myth #3:  Chiropractic is only effective for back pain.  BUSTED!  This couldn’t be further from the truth! Your nervous system controls everything that goes on in your body, and when there’s interference to your system, you will have health issues. Chiropractic care identifies where the interference is occurring, and through all-natural corrective care can minimize or eliminate the lack of correct function, resulting in pain and disorders. I’ve had literally hundreds of patients over the years come in for back pain only and after just a couple of visits find themselves amazed at how their overall health had improved…allergies, digestive issues, diabetes…you name it!

Perhaps the other myth that causes MY blood pressure to rise is Myth #4:  Chiropractic care is too expensive. BUSTED! In a wellness-oriented practice like mine, we focus on improving your health, not managing your sickness. To that end, we work towards restoring your health which actually SAVES you money (in fewer doctor visits, medicines, etc.)  Wellness-oriented chiropractic care is an investment in your health. Consumers don’t give a second thought to spending money on annual or bi-annual dental checkups, or annual trips to the eye doctor…yet we often think it’s too expensive to keep up good spinal hygiene! When you consider the incredible variety of health issues that stem from poor spinal hygiene, it becomes a no-brainer to make sure yours is checked and maintained!

One of the myths that keeps people from coming in to see a chiropractor is Myth #5:  Spinal adjustments hurt/I don’t want my bones cracked. BUSTED! Chiropractors don’t crack bones, and the adjustments themselves are not painful. On the contrary, many patients feel instant relief immediately after their spinal adjustment. So what makes the “popping” sound you hear when being adjusted? It’s the release of nitrous oxide gas that occurs when the manipulation opens the joint space. It’s certainly nothing to be afraid of!

Finally, there’s a myth that requires a bit more explanation.  Myth #6: Once you start going to a chiropractor, you have to go forever.  Semi-BUSTED! Let me explain. If you come in for back or neck pain, chiropractic care will alleviate that pain within a set period of time and that problem will be resolved, so in that sense, you do not HAVE to go forever. However, if your problem is chronic or recurrent, or if you want to avoid future problems, you will benefit from periodic care to stay ahead of the strain that accumulates as well as acute flare-ups.

Think of it this way…just as it would be ridiculous to believe that visiting the dentist once per lifetime would ensure permanently healthy teeth and gums, it’s equally insane to think that visiting a chiropractor a few times will ensure a lifelong healthy spine. Our spinal tissues undergo daily stresses from many different sources…the environment, sleeping and postural habits, psychological stress and our hectic lifestyles, just to name a few. If you truly want to manage your health and not your sickness, then investing in lifelong spinal hygiene with a wellness-oriented chiropractor is a worthwhile investment.

I hope I’ve busted some myths for you this month, and that you’ll call my office to see for yourself how beneficial chiropractic care can be for you and your family. And if you’ve got a myth I didn’t bust here, bring it on…I’m happy to play the role of chiropractic mythbuster any day of the year!