Chiropractic Myths

DR TED MARRIOTT, D.C. Clinic: STAY WELL CHIROPRACTIC, PASADENA

Specializing in:

  • Activator chiropractic manipulative Therapy (gentle joint adjustments)
  • Cold laser therapy (for faster, natural healing at the cellular layer)
  • Trigenics neuro-muscular therapy (for instant muscle relaxation & regeneration)
  • Spinal pelvic stabilizers (for custom foot orthotics)

This information was partially derived from www.ProfessionalPlanets.Com and other sources.

4 CHIROPRACTIC MYTHS

Over the years a number of myths pertaining to chiropractic have been created, mostly by economic competitors and those with differing philosophies. While the majority of myths have no basis, they do exist and cause some confusion to individuals unfamiliar with chiropractic care. Four of those Chiropractic Myths are discussed below:

Spinal Adjustments Hurt (Myth #1)

  • Using a gentle adjustment technique helps reduce any associated discomfort.
  • Most patients feel instant relief immediately after a treatment.
  • Most established patients look forward to their chiropractic treatments.
  • With a severe bout of back or neck pain, some discomfort may be experienced since the area is more sensitive than normal when arriving at the doctor's office.
  • Gentle techniques used to treat will usually minimize discomfort of severe disorders.
  • Current literature shows, if minor discomfort or soreness does increase following an adjustment, it usually fades within a 24 hour period. Afterwards, most patients feel an increase of function and mobility greater than prior to treatment.

Spinal Adjustments Are Dangerous (Myth #2)

  • Chiropractic spinal adjustments are extremely safe when performed by chiropractors.
  • No health treatment is completely free of potential adverse effects & some conditions may not respond to treatment. Severe conditions may need other types of treatment.
  • Spinal adjustments performed by health care professionals not specifically trained to perform it can be much less effective and even harmful. Therefore, stick with professionally trained doctors only.
  • Clinical practice guidelines for the management of acute low back pain shows any serious complication from lumbar spinal adjustments are extremely rare.
  • Conservative treatments (such as spinal manipulation) should be pursued in most cases before considering and surgical intervention.
  • Some medical treatments are safe, and others are unsafe. Corticosteroids can only be used about 3 times before they begin damaging joints. Surgery is an option that should considered as a last resort in most cases but can be helpful for those who really require it. Some severe conditions may require surgery.
  • Chiropractic care is a very conservative form of treatment. However, very advanced degenerative conditions may not respond and may need a referral to another healthcare specialty.

Chiropractic Doctors Lack Education Compared With Medical Doctors (Myth#3)

  • The training and education chiropractors go through is extremely demanding, and is similar to that of medical doctors with the exception of pharmacology and surgery.
  • It requires 2-4 years of premed undergraduate studies prior to admission.
  • There is 4-5 academic years of studies at a chiropractic college. They have extensive training in anatomy, physiology, pathology, neurology, radiology, differential diagnosis, chiropractic adjustive techniques, biomechanics, and other health-related studies. Most chiropractic colleges opt for Trimesters to complete their program in 3 1/3 years (10 Trimesters) equal to the same 4-5 academic years of study as medical.
  • Prior to graduation students complete several hundred clinical hours of "real" patient management in a formal clinical setting under professional supervision.
  • Many students also partake in clinical externship programs which takes place in actual chiropractic offices.
  • After graduation, new doctors of chiropractic must are required to successfully complete rigorous National and State Board examinations prior to getting their license to treat chiropractic patients.
  • After licensing, chiropractors receive annual continuing education courses to ensure that a their high level of competency is maintained.

Subject Hours Comparison Between DC's and MD's

You may be surprised to learn that chiropractic doctors receive more class and study time in many important subjects compared with their medical counterparts.

Subjects
Class Hours

Chiropractic Students

Class Hours

Medical Students

Anatomy
Chemistry
Diagnosis
Microbiology
Neurology
Obstetrics
Orthopedics
Pathology
Physiology
Psychiatry
Radiology

HOURS

540
165
630
120
320
60
210
360
240
60
360

3,065

510
325
325
115
110
150
155
400
325
145
150

2,710

ADDITIONALLY REQUIRED STUDIES

Spinal Manipulation
Nutrition
Physiotherapy

Advanced Radiology

Pharmacology
Immunology

General Surgery

TOTAL HOURS

4,485

4,250

You'll Have To Continue Chiropractic Care For The Rest Of Your Life (Myth #4)

  • Many new patients are introduced to chiropractic if they are injured or have chronic problems and don't go away. Others don't want to take drugs for their pain.
  • How long a patient needs chiropractic care depends on their condition, their age and multiple factors. Each person is unique. Some conditions stabilize in 1 visit where others may take much longer such as an auto accident.
  • Periodic spinal care is similar to what dentists recommend to their patients in order to prevent cavities and gum disease with regular checkups.
  • Your spine is the super highway of your nervous system. The spine transfers information to and from your body. It is silly to think visiting to a chiropractor only once will ensure a lifelong healthy spine just as visiting a dentist once will ensure freedom of cavities or gum disease for the rest of your life. Wellness care is a process to work on throughout your life.
  • Our nervous system undergoes daily bombardment of stresses originating from bad posture, suboptimal work environments, psychological stress, poor nutrition, insufficient rest, hectic lifestyles, and overuse injuries to name a few.
  • The preventative approach is gaining recognition in our medical community.
  • It is less expensive and easier to stay healthy than to get healthy.
  • Patient's are given options to continue with chiropractic care if they choose, it's a choice. It's always up to the patient to choose periodic chiropractic care.
  • After acute or chronic conditions are stabilized, many chiropractors recommend "wellness" care. Some patients choose wellness care with monthly visits to support their healthcare. Along with periodic dental care, many people choose to have periodic chiropractic care to stay as healthy as they can be.
  • How long a patient chooses to benefit with chiropractic care is always up to them.

 

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