Myths Busted – Chiropractic Edition

As a Chiropractor, I have faced thousands of questions throughout my career, ranging from basic 2 second answers to, “let’s schedule a special appointment slot to discuss this in more detail.” I’ll attempt to summarize some of the most common questions my patients have here, as well as bust some common misconceptions about chiropractic care.

“My back is tight, but I think it’s muscular so I probably just need a massage.”

We all need a massage. But sometimes it’s more complex than just a tight muscle. Our muscles generally just do what the nervous system tells them to do. That means a tight muscle is a signal from the brain, and usually a protective signal. If you, like many, suffer from chronically tight hamstrings, you’ve probably found that no matter how much you stretch it, it never seems to improve all that much.

It could be that your brain is perceiving an underlying issue with your spine, and is tightening up those hamstrings to prevent you from bending forward and further injuring your back. I’ve seen patients go from barely being able to bend, to touching their toes without ever working on their hamstrings.

“Once I start care, do I have to keep coming back forever?”

The path that you take is always your choice. Ethically I have the responsibility to recommend what you need based on what the most accurate and up-to-date research and my clinical experience indicates. Once you’re feeling better and the issues you came in with have resolved and/or stabilized, it is fully your decision whether you wish to continue with maintenance care. The same way a dentist recommends periodic cleanings to prevent cavities, I recommend periodic adjustments to keep your spine moving and functioning as it should to prevent future injuries.

“Is chiropractic care safe?”

I wouldn’t be doing this if I thought I was hurting people. Chiropractic care is incredibly safe, evidenced by the pennies we pay in malpractice insurance, and it continues to get safer as education is improved and techniques are refined. The most common thing I see is some mild tenderness for about a day after an adjustment (especially if it’s your first visit, or if it’s been a long time since your last adjustment). Bottom line, if you’re concerned about something, come talk to me. Questions are almost always best answered in person!