The Top 3 Common Myths about Chiropractic Treatment

Canadian Chiropractic Association

Many Canadians continue to have questions about the role that chiropractors play in the healthcare team, and what benefit care may have to their health. To find out what chiropractic can do for you, find a chiropractor in your community. However, there are commonly shared myths that can be easily explained by your chiropractor.
 

We took three of the most common myths around chiropractic treatment and explained them:

1. Once you see a chiropractor you have to keep going back

This is false. When seeking care from a chiropractor, the chiropractor will perform an assessment including a history and physical examination to determine the cause of the pain or dysfunction. From these observations, a diagnosis will be made and the treatment plan developed in collaboration with the patient – according to their needs and goals. The treatment plan will recommend a number of initial visits to see if the patient responds to care and scheduled re-evaluations. Depending on the patient and the condition, the recommended course of care may vary. Ultimately, the decision to continue care is yours. As a patient, if you have questions or concerns about care, you should feel comfortable to ask the chiropractor for more information on the recommendations made and address any concerns. The care plan should be part of a shared decision-making between the patient and practitioner.

 

2. Chiropractors are not ‘real’ doctors

Chiropractors are regulated in all 10 Canadian provinces, and are designated to use the title “doctor” similar to physicians, optometrists and dentists after completing the extensive Doctor of Chiropractic degree program. Those professions who are recognized to use the “doctor” title have extensive training in their area of expertise that allows them to be diagnosticians – to provide a diagnosis.

 

3. Adjustments are painful

In general, adjustments or joint manipulations do not hurt. In fact, many patients report immediate pain relief. Patients may be nervous about the ‘cracking’ or popping sound that may occur during an adjustment. The sound is believed to result from the release of gas bubbles from the joint.

 

Learning more about chiropractic care can help you access and determine if chiropractic care is right for you. To learn more, contact your chiropractor and ask questions about how chiropractic care could work for you.  To learn more about what to expect at your first chiropractic treatment, you can take a look at our online videos.