Chiro Myths & Facts

As chiropractic care continues to be successful and well known, there are different myths that are circulating on the general public regarding chiropractic care. Time has been changing for the better but most people have not yet understood what chiropractors do. Some of the myths about chiropractic include;

Myth #1- Chiropractic is not real doctors

Chiropractors attend a Chiropractic college where they are granted with a Doctorate of Chiropractic degree (D.C). They are licensed as health care providers in every U.S state and other different countries in the world. The competition for joining a Chiropractic school is not as competitive as that of medical school but their curricula are virtually identical. As part of their education requirement, Chiropractic students also complete a residency working with real patients in a clinical setting. They are supervised by doctors of chiropractic. After Chiropractic students graduate, they have to sit and pass four sets of national board exams as well as state board exams in the state they want to practice.

Chiropractors are professionals who are subject to the same type of testing procedures, licensing and monitoring by state review board just like the medical doctors. Federal and state programs such as Medicare, Medicaid, and workers compensation programs covers chiropractic care. Chiropractors are also commissioned as officers in the military.

The main difference between chiropractors and medical doctors is their preferred method of caring for people. Medical doctors are trained in the use of medicine and surgery. They treat diseases such as diabetes, hypothyroidism and infections using drugs made from chemicals. Chiropractors treat problems such as misalignment of spine or soft tissue damage causing pain. Chiropractors use physical solutions such as adjustments, exercises, stretches and muscle therapy to correct physical problems to heal the body from conditions such as back pain, muscle spasms, headaches and poor posture.

Myths #2 -Medical doctors don’t like Chiropractors

In the 1940s, The American Medical Association opposed Chiropractors strongly. They mocked Chiropractors by referring them as “playful and cute, but killers”.They portrayed Chiropractors as Unscientific cult who were only interested in making money.

From around 1970 the mentality of doctors toward chiropractors changed and they started understanding what chiropractors were doing. Many people returned to their doctors and told them of great results they experienced at their chiropractor’s office. This made doctors to recognize the duties of chiropractors. Chiropractors and medical doctors are now more comfortable working with each other in cases where medical care is required as an adjunct to chiropractic care.

Myth #3-Once you start going to a chiropractor, you have to keep going for the rest of your life

As long as you wish to maintain the health of your neuromusculoskeletal system, you have to continue going to a chiropractor. Going to a chiropractor is the same as going to a gym or eating a healthy diet. As long as you keep it up, you continue to enjoy the benefits. Since your spine experiences normal wear and tear as you walk, drive, sit or bend, you should keep it a routine of visiting a chiropractor to stay healthier.