Five Things People Get Wrong About Chiropractic
The myths are older than most of the people repeating them. Here’s what’s actually true, and why the work holds up.
Everybody arrives at chiropractic in a different way. Some arrive based on a story they hear, some arrive based on a painful situation or accident they had, and some arrive seeking a greater quality of life. And others hear stories of how it has helped people close to them, a social media post of the viral “cracking” sound, and much more. But very few are carrying the true nature and myth of what chiropractic stands for.
Here's 5 of the most common misunderstandings and beliefs that people have around chiropractic.
1) “It's woo-woo, and too spiritual.”
While chiropractic does have a strong philosophy behind it, that's not all it's about. The care itself is very physical and works with the spine, the joints, the musculoskeletal system, and the nerves that control it all. And what most people don't know is that a chiropractor is an actual doctor who has completed a doctoral program, just like an MD has. Chiropractors train for years, learn, and even pass board exams before even being able to adjust a patient. So the facts and credentials are there regardless. Even if you don't love of believe in the philosophy of chiropractic, the adjustment is very real and causes real positive impact in the body.
2) “Once you start, you have to keep going forever.”
People say this all the time and it makes the question if it really works or not. But simply put, the adjustment isn't a forever fix. Just like gaining weight over 10 years and expecting to lose the lbs overnight, that's just not how it works. The adjustment works the same way. Many people have pain, tightness, dysfunction, and much more that builds up over time until it's cleared out. Sometimes that takes time to get rid of it and get people to a “new normal” state in their bodies.
3) “Chiropractors aren't real doctors.”
Chiropractors are now “medical doctors” and honestly, they will be the first to tell you that. Haha But chiropractors are Doctors of Chiropractic, which is a specific licensed profession with it's own rigorous training and scope of practice. It's less a knock-off of traditional medicine and more of a different discipline with different lenses, weaknesses, and strengths. The goal is for everyone to work together, not exclude one another.
4) “It's dangerous.”
The truth is that serious complications from receiving chiropractic care are extremely rare. Chiropractors are here to support and help as many people as possible, yes. But discernment is also important. There are ways to check for red flags and find reasons why some people maybe shouldn't be adjusted in emergency cases and situations. That's very important.
5) “My muscles are too tight to get adjusted and I can't relax.”
Most of the time, tightness is actually one of the best and most common reasons that people come in to see a chiropractor. When the muscles are tight, the body starts to protect itself because it thinks that something worse is going to happen. The spine locks up, the joints lose mobility, and the cycles perpetuate until proper movement and function is restored. An adjustment restores proper motion and connection to the brain so that the body can handle the issue itself. When that happens, the muscles relax, the body stops guarding itself, there is more room to breathe, and healing can actually happen at the forefront, instead of being stuffed away.
So, does chiropractic actually work?
If you strip away the stories and all the different perceptions of what people think, the basic facts still stand. When the body isn't working properly, it affects us, our lives, and our overall well-being.
The best chiropractic care starts with education, connection, and curiosity. Only then can true correction be made and only then can real healing happen.
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