Your check engine light just came on and now you have to get your car fixed. When you are trying to find a mechanic, you’ll realize that although they are all mechanics, no two are the same. One mechanic could tell you that your car is done for and needs a plethora of things done or one could tell you it’s a simple fix and will educate you on what’s going on. Hopefully this analogy paints a picture to show that just because businesses are of the same profession, does not mean they will provide you with the same service. Regardless of the profession, there are still ways in which a person is being misled and/or aren’t receiving the true benefit that profession can provide. With chiropractic the contrast between practices can be obvious, but no matter the chiropractic office there are myths and beliefs that need to be busted. Here are 5 myths or beliefs associated with chiropractors that need to be busted: 

1. Chiropractors only treat spine-related issues

Chiropractors spend numerous hours in an anatomy lab and in clinical labs learning the entire body at a Chiropractic College. They are musculoskeletal specialists and have learned to treat the entire body rather than be limited to the spine itself. Additionally, it’s not uncommon to find that the pain in your low back can be associated with findings from other joints or muscles, so a multi-joint approach can be greatly beneficial. 

1. An X-Ray MUST be taken on the first visit 

According to the American College of Radiology (ACR), someone who has acute, subacute, or chronic low back pain that is uncomplicated (meaning absence of trauma or the suspicion of serious pathology), the ACR Appropriateness Criteria stated it is “Usually not appropriate” to take X-rays of the low back. So, in other words, an x-ray is likely not necessary to see the alignment of your spine after you hurt yourself lifting something heavy or sit in a position too long. 

1. The bones in your back are out of place 

Your spine has plenty of ligaments and muscles that are all there to support you and prevent this from happening! A true dislocation of the spine is commonly brought on by a traumatic event and usually requires emergent medical attention. Hurting your back from sitting too long or picking something up is likely not going to move your bones out of place. The sensation you feel when your neck or low back wants to be adjusted, is most likely not an alignment problem, but rather your joints are fixed in a position and want some movement!

1. Your bones are cracking 

The sound heard during an adjustment is not your bones, but rather your joints. There is a gaseous build up in your joints that makes them feel restricted in movement and the adjustment is breaking up that gaseous build up to allow you to move better! 

1. An adjustment is all you need 

An adjustment can be a great way to get you feeling less pain and make you move better, but it doesn’t necessarily address the underlying issue. You have to think about what caused the pain in the first place. At Focus on Health, we look at you through a movement lense and rather than chase the pain, we find what brought on this pain in the first place and educate you to make sure it doesn’t happen again! You should be getting exercises and education on what to do!

Regardless of where you receive your care, find what works best for you. However, you deserve it to yourself to make sure you aren’t getting misled and are getting the true benefit from your chiropractor. At Focus on Health Chiropractic, we don’t follow these myths. We will assess your movements and encourage movement for the underlying cause of your pain, all while addressing your pain!

Citation:

American College of Radiology. (2015). Low Back Pain. American College of Radiology Appropriateness Criteria, 1-13