Chiropractic care has been around for over a century, and in recent decades, chiropractic care has become a fixture in the American healthcare landscape. Despite its growth in popularity and more than 70,000 active chiropractic licenses in the United States, there are still many misconceptions about the benefits, risks, and effects of chiropractic care and adjustments.

In this blog post, we will dispel some common myths about chiropractic care. If you have further questions, we encourage you to reach out to our office at 541-543-5032 today. We are happy to answer your questions!

Myth #1: Once You Start, You Have To See A Chiropractor Forever

One of the biggest misconceptions about chiropractic care is that you have to go back indefinitely once you start getting adjusted. This is simply untrue; however, it is common to see your doctor two or three times a week at the beginning of your chiropractic treatment plan.

A goal of chiropractic care is to help you retrain your posture and movement patterns. In the beginning, this means you will visit with your doctor more often to help overcome specific muscle memory, address misalignments, and provide longer-term pain relief. Once you have achieved normal movement patterns and posture, your rehabilitation process is complete and frequent visits may not be necessary.

While it is common to visit your chiropractor for tune-ups every once in a while, your doctor can also work with you to develop at-home routines which help maintain proper alignment and nervous system health.

Myth #2: Chiropractors Are Not Real Doctors

Another misconception about chiropractic care is that chiropractors are not real doctors. Again, this is untrue. The curriculum for chiropractic students is highly rigorous and parallels that of a medical student. Like a medical doctor, a chiropractic student completes a residency program and works with patients in a clinical setting while supervised by licensed doctors.

Chiropractors complete more hours of classroom education than their medical counterparts. Additionally, after they graduate, a chiropractor must pass four sets of national board exams and state board exams to allow them to practice in the states they wish to practice. To maintain their license, a chiropractor must complete continuing education to ensure they remain current on the latest innovations and research in the field.

What is the difference between chiropractors and medical doctors?

The most significant difference between chiropractors and medical doctors is not in their level of education but rather in the treatment method. Chiropractors provide physical solutions – adjustments, exercises, stretches – to help your body heal from physical conditions such as back pain or muscle spasms while also providing comprehensive wellness care before symptoms develop.

Myth #3: Chiropractic Care Weakens Your Joints

Another common myth about chiropractic care is that it weakens your joints, which means you become dependent on adjustments to keep your spine strong. In reality, the strength of your spine and back are directly tied to exercise and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. At the same time, chiropractic care focuses on maximizing the function of your joints and improving your mobility.

When your back becomes stiff or tight, it is usually due to a spinal misalignment, corrected through a chiropractic adjustment. An adjustment not only realigns your spine it can help restore proper movement and function within your body, muscles, and joints. Furthermore, it encourages adequate communication throughout your nervous system, which can help you maintain your strength and better overall health.

Myth #4: Chiropractors Only Treat Back Pain

While treating misalignments in the spine is the foundation of chiropractic care, chiropractors can help you improve your overall health and wellbeing. Receiving an adjustment does more than realign your spine — it helps improve nervous system function and impact every system in your body. Chiropractors are also trained to recommend therapeutic and rehabilitative exercises, provide nutritional counseling services, and give you advice on how to lead a healthier lifestyle.

Additionally, chiropractors can become certified in various treatment techniques such as Whole Body Diversified Adjusting and the Zone Technique.

Myth #5: You Only Have To See A Chiropractor When You Are In Pain

Many people believe that it is only necessary to consult a chiropractor when experiencing pain or discomfort. This is not true! Chiropractors also take preventative measures to ensure problems do not occur in the future, and many see them for check-ups, simply checking joints and muscles are functioning correctly.

Many people incorporate chiropractic care into their lifestyle to help them achieve their athletic goals and maintain peak performance. Much like having a yearly physical or dental cleaning, a regular visit to your chiropractor can help you identify any changes in your health and wellbeing and assist you in staying on a path to good health.

Live well, Live active. To learn more about the Zone Technique and how Active Chiropractic can help you improve your health, please reach out to us at 541-543-5032.