Chiropractic care has become a widely accepted practice over the years. Many myths and misconceptions have deterred people from participating in chiropractic care during that time. Many people have reported on the health benefits of chiropractic care and how it’s a great alternative to drugs and surgeries for managing pain and aiding recovery.
Today we’ll review five of these myths and clear up some misunderstandings about chiropractic care.
Myth # 1: Chiropractic Care is Only for Back Pain
Chiropractors are most commonly known for dealing with back pain. While they can help you manage your back pain, there are many reasons to see a chiropractor. Chiropractic care is used to treat many common ailments, such as:
- Neck Pain
- Back Pain
- Knee pain
- Leg Pain
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Breathing Issues
- Joint Pain
- Insomnia
With a wide variety of ailments, chiropractic can help with, be sure to ask the helpful staff at SOHMA Integrative Medicine at Long Beach, CA, to see if chiropractic can help treat your specific issue.
Myth # 2: You’ll Need Chiropractic Care for Life
A common misconception is once you’ve begun chiropractic care, you’ll have to rely on adjustments for the rest of your life. They are concerned their body can unlearn how to preserve the correct alignment a chiropractor sets. They fear that without consistent visits, their symptoms may return. There is some truth in that spinal problems may need a program with frequent stops, but as you progress through your regimen, the visits will be more sparse.
This myth may have begun to circulate simply because many patients continue to use chiropractic care after their original program is done. This can be because they want to work on other body parts or to maintain a healthy posture. The human body can become misaligned at any time during our day-to-day life, and many patients who previously used chiropractic care may return for some maintenance.
Myth #3: You Need a Referral for Chiropractic Care
Although communicating with your primary care provider about your physical well-being is always a good idea, you don’t need a referral to receive chiropractic care. You can walk right into SOHMA and ask about receiving chiropractic care.
Depending on your condition, your primary care provider may consider prescribing pharmaceuticals to help manage your pain until you either show signs of getting better or decline. This can sometimes lead to the need for surgery. It’s best practice to have multiple opinions from a variety of professionals. A chiropractor can assess your symptoms using similar techniques as most medical practitioners and begin an adjustment program to help manage pain.
Myth #4: Chiropractic Care Hurts
Chiropractic care is designed to manage or eliminate pain, not cause it. During adjustments, there should be little to no pain. A patient may often anticipate pain and be startled by the sudden movements. Although some patients have reported minor discomfort after chiropractic adjustments, most leave feeling much better than when they arrived. At worst, most patients may feel sore for a couple of days afterward, but this is normal. A licensed professional shouldn’t cause you any pain when adjusting your back.
Myth #5: Chiropractic Care can be Dangerous
The worst misconception is that chiropractic care is dangerous to patients. The main danger comes from unlicensed chiropractors performing adjustments. This is why it’s essential you only work with licensed chiropractors. Chiropractic care provides a safe way to manage pain. There is no data surrounding injuries caused by chiropractic adjustments.
Though it’s not without risk, while sporadic, some patients have experienced a stroke after manipulation. Vertebral dissection is when the inner lining of the vertebral artery tears, which can lead to a blood clot causing a stroke. However, vertebral dissection can result from car accidents, contact sports, roller coasters, and mechanical stress. If you notice slurred speech, difficulty walking, sensory loss on one side of your body, or trouble swallowing, call 911 immediately, as every minute counts.
Take the Next Step In Improving Your Health by Contacting SOHMA Integrative Medicine
Our goal is to help you improve your health. You can reach out to us and ask about the Myers Cocktail, IV Therapy, Chiropractic care, or how our other health service lines can help you with your journey to improved health.
Located in Long Beach, CA, we help individuals from the surrounding cities.
We look forward to helping you take the next step in your journey to better health.
