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Unlike standard medical doctors whom you visit when you have a
symptom to be treated, chiropractors offer adjustments to improve spinal
alignment and overall well-being before symptoms develop.
As successful as chiropractic has become, there are a lot of myths
circulating among the general public. Times have definitely changed for
the better, but the fact is that many people still do not understand
what chiropractors do. Let's talk about a few of the more common myths
about chiropractic.
Myth #1 - Chiropractors are not real doctors.
A chiropractic college grants a D.C. or Doctorate of Chiropractic
degree. Chiropractors are licensed as health care providers in every
U.S. state and dozens of countries around the world. While the
competition for acceptance in chiropractic school is not as fierce as
medical school, the chiropractic and medical school curricula are
extremely rigorous and virtually identical. In fact, chiropractors have
more hours of classroom education than their medical counterparts. As
part of their education, chiropractic students also complete a residency
working with real patients in a clinical setting, supervised by
licensed doctors of chiropractic. Once chiropractic students graduate,
they have to pass four sets of national board exams as well as state
board exams in the states where they want to practice.
Just like medical doctors, chiropractors are professionals that are
subject to the same type of testing procedures, licensing and
monitoring by state and national peer-reviewed boards. Federal and state
programs, such as Medicare, Medicaid, and Workers' Compensations
programs cover chiropractic care, and all federal agencies accept
sick-leave certificates signed by doctors of chiropractic. Chiropractors
are also commissioned as officers in the military.
The biggest difference between chiropractors and medical doctors
lies not in their level of education, but in their preferred method of
caring for people. Medical doctors are trained in the use of medicines
(chemicals that affect your internal biochemistry) and surgery.
Consequently, if you have a chemical problem, such as diabetes,
hypothyroidism, or an infection, medical doctors can be very helpful.
However, if your problem is that your spine is mis-aligned or you have
soft tissue damage causing pain, there is no chemical in existence that
can fix it. You need a physical solution to correct a physical problem.
That is where chiropractic really shines. Chiropractors provide physical
solutions -- adjustments, exercises, stretches, muscle therapy -- to
help the body heal from conditions that are physical in origin, such as
back pain, muscle spasms, headaches, and poor posture. Another
distinction is the fact that it is completely appropriate to receive
chiropractic care even if you do not have symptoms. Unlike standard
medical doctors, whom you visit when you have a symptom to be treated,
chiropractors offer adjustments to improve spinal alignment and overall
well-being before symptoms develop.
Myth #2 - Medical doctors don't like chiropractors.
The American Medical Association's opposition to chiropractic was
at its strongest in the 1940s under the leadership of Morris Fishbein.
Fishbein called chiropractors "rabid dogs" and referred to them as
"playful and cute, but killers" He tried to portray chiropractors as
members of an unscientific cult who cared about nothing but taking their
patients' money. Up to the late 1970s and early 1980s, the medical
establishment purposely conspired to try to destroy the profession of
chiropractic. In fact, a landmark lawsuit in the Supreme Court of
Illinois in the 1980s found that the American Medical Association was
guilty of conspiracy and was ordered to pay restitution to the
chiropractic profession.
In the 20 years since, the opinion of most medical doctors has
changed: several major studies have shown the superiority of
chiropractic in helping people with a host of conditions, and medical
doctors developed a better understanding as to what chiropractors
actually do. Many people have returned to their medical doctors and told
them about the great results they experienced at their chiropractors
office. Hospitals across the country now have chiropractors on staff,
and many chiropractic offices have medical doctors on staff.
Chiropractors and medical doctors are now much more comfortable working
together in cases where medical care is necessary as an adjunct to
chiropractic care.
Myth #3 - Once you start going to a chiropractor, you have to keep going for the rest of your life.
This statement comes up frequently when the topic of chiropractic
is discussed. It is only partially true. You only have to continue going
to the chiropractor as long as you wish to maintain the health of your
neuromusculoskeletal system. Going to a chiropractor is much like going
to the dentist, exercising at a gym, or eating a healthy diet: As long
as you keep it up, you continue to enjoy the benefits.
Many years ago, dentists convinced everyone that the best time to
go to the dentist is before your teeth hurt, that routine dental care
will help your teeth remain healthy for a long time. The same is true of
chiropractic care for your spine. It is important to remember that,
just like your teeth, your spine experiences normal wear and tear as you
walk, drive, sit, lift, sleep, and bend. Routine chiropractic care can
help you feel better, move with more freedom, and stay healthier
throughout your lifetime. Although you can enjoy the benefits of
chiropractic care even if you receive care for a short time, the real
benefits come into play when you make chiropractic care a part of your
wellness lifestyle.
