Chiropractic Myths

Where do the myths come from?

Several myths and misunderstandings concerning the practice add to the notion that chiropractic is pseudoscience.

Below the more common ones:

Myth: You don’t need a degree to be a chiropractor

Chiropractors do not hold a medical degree, and they are not medical doctors. However, they do graduate with a Doctor of Chiropractic degree and are licensed practitioners.

Becoming a chiropractor usually requires:

• a four-year undergraduate degree
• three to five years at an accredited chiropractic institution
• a clinical internship

Myth: Chiropractors just crack your back

Chiropractors treat issues impacting the nervous system and musculoskeletal system.

In addition to adjustments for realigning joints, they also provide:

• soft tissue therapy
• ultrasound
• electronic stimulation
• exercise and nutrition counseling
• low-level laser therapy, also known as cold laser therapy
• postural testing and analysis

Myth: Medical doctors have a poor opinion chiropractic treatments

Not all professionals agree on the role of chiropractic care in the treatment of specific conditions because of the requirement for more research. Nevertheless, chiropractic care is broadly accepted as a supplementary treatment for issues such as back and neck pain.

This is partly due to mainstream medical journals publishing reports examining the benefits of chiropractic care. The American College of Physicians guidelines also includes spinal maneuvering as one of the recommended first-line treatments for lower back pain.

Myth: Chiropractic adjustments are hazardous

You might experience some side effects following an adjustment, including:

• brief muscle soreness
• stiffness
• elevated pain

Are there complications?

Some major complications have been related to spinal maneuvering; however, these remain somewhat rare. Potential major complications include:

• cervical artery dissections, which could lead to stroke
• cauda equina syndrome
• herniated disc(s)
• fractures

IMPORTANT

Should you have an issue that could cause joint inflammation or are receiving treatments for any other medical issue, it’s a good idea to check with your care team prior to getting an adjustment.

We Care Chiropractic Clinic In Glendale, AZ

We Care Chiropractic Clinic offers Chiropractic Care in Glendale, Arizona.  At We Care Chiropractic Clinic we specialize in providing relief from a wide variety of common chiropractic problems. Contact us today at (623) 825-4444 for more information.