We’ve heard these sayings before – but did you know that some of them are myths about Chiropractic Care?
1. Once you get a chiropractic treatment, you always have to go back
When Consumers’ Report reviewed the top treatments for back and neck pain in September of 2011, chiropractic outperformed all other treatments: it is no secret that it’s an excellent means of pain relief.
Does this mean that you have to always go back once you start?
The simple, quick answer: no.
Recommending that patients return for periodic visits is no different than dentists recommending monthly to yearly visits to help prevent cavities and gum disease. After resolving your pain issues, most chiropractors will give you the option to receive periodic chiropractic care to minimize the likelihood of future recurrences or development of new problems. But it’s still just an option which you can choose to take advantage of, or not!
2. Chiropractors CRACK bones
Chiropractors do not crack bones, they don’t crack joints: in fact, no joints in the body touch each other.
What actually happens is this: between the bones that make up a joint, you will find an envelope with fluid in it. When a chiropractor gently shifts a joint back to where it’s supposed to be, the envelope releases gas that’s in the joint fluid, and that creates the sound you hear.
3. Chiropractors don’t work on soft tissue – only joints
While chiropractors are definitely known for manual manipulations/adjustments, they can also receive training in treating soft tissue problems, and can also attain special certificates/training to provide very effective treatment for a huge variety of different soft tissue disorders. Therapies like Graston Technique ® and Active Release Therapies ® are all modules that chiropractors can choose to get certified for. This provides them with even greater tools in helping conditions of the joints of the extremities, like the ankle, knee and shoulder.
4. Manual adjustments hurt
While some adjustments require quite a bit of pressure be applied to a certain area of your body (which can produce some discomfort if you’re sensitive from the pain you’ve been experiencing), many patients have described receiving an adjustment as “getting instant relief the moment it’s done!”