5 common myths about chiropractic

Here are a few of the most common myths about Chiropractic. 

1. Chiropractic is Dangerous

This is quite a common misbelief. However, there is quite a good chunk of research (as well as thousands of people) who can suggest that this is not true and it is safe. Of course, as with everything, there is a risk to receiving any form of treatment and this is no different with Chiropractic care. In fact, this is part of the reason Chiropractic is a regulated profession in the UK: To protect the public and to ensure that Chiropractors analyse and outweigh the risks before offering Chiropractic care.

The main reason Chiropractors perform initial consultations or reassessments is to weigh up the risks and to re-establish both whether Chiropractic care is suitable for you and whether there is a sufficient rationale for care. Whilst Chiropractors want to help you, and often you want to receive Chiropractic care, it’s wrong for Chiropractors to step out of the realms of their care remit or to offer you care where it is unsafe or not needed.

2. Chiropractic or Chiropractice?

There is often a confusion in what to call the profession. Chiropractic is however its proper name. The word itself is the verb, the noun and the adjective. But you will hear people (including insurance companies and other healthcare professionals) using the term Chiropractice. This is actually a made up word. 

The word Chiropractic was coined from two Greek words to mean “done by hand”.

3. Chiropractors are Uneducated People

4. Chiropractic is a Young Profession

Some people believe that Chiropractic is a young or immature profession. It’s for this reason some believe it is less trustworthy than other health care professions on the face of it. And yet, Chiropractic originated in Iowa, America in 1895. This is the same year as the X Ray was discovered. Now think about how common and normal the x-ray is and chiropractic is the same age!

5. Chiropractors Only Treat Backs

Chiropractors are very well known for treating backs and spinal problems. However, that is not all they do. There are also quite a few Chiropractors that describe themselves as online back or spine professionals so it is totally understandable why people might believe this point.

However, this is a little misleading because Chiropractors actually treat a whole lot more, or should I say, adjust, a whole lot more than just the spine. It depends which way you look at it. Some Chiropractors may adjust the extremities and areas of the body off the spine, such as arms, ankles, feet or legs. Similarly, we don’t adjust the back as one, but rather put attention into joint segments, vertebrae, bones, connective tissues and muscles that make up the back or other areas of the body.

Chiropractors are often thought of as back care specialists, experts or professionals because that is where there is most research. Certainly, there is a nice little body of research to suggest that they can help with things like low back pain, neck pain, headaches and a group of issues that come from the spine. Although, there are also many other things that a Chiropractor may be able to assist with. Check out our website home page for an abridged list from the Advertising Standards Authority. This gives a list of everything a Chiropractor can say we help with and was formulated after a review following what it regarded as high level evidence.

 Well, there you have it. Five things you may have thought about Chiropractors broken down and explained why it may not be true. There are quite a few other common myths about Chiropractic that we will get to at another date. In the meantime, if you’re experiencing pain, book in an initial consultation to see if we can help using the button below or feel free to comment.