Chiropractors are licensed healthcare professionals that can play a vital role in your healthcare. Chiropractors often fall victim to misinformation and myths about what they do, or what the field of chiropractic even is. This can lead people to miss out on some of the great treatments and health benefits that chiropractic care has to offer.
What Is Chiropractic Care?
The field of chiropractic care involves the treatment of mechanical disorders of the musculoskeletal system, particularly of the spine and neck.
Chiropractors help diagnose tissue, muscle, ligament, bone, nerve and joint issues that cause pain. They work to help reduce pain and improve functional movement to improve the overall quality of life of their patients.
Chiropractors can treat a wide variety of musculoskeletal ailments including back pain and neck pain, as well as pain in the joints of the hands and feet.
Chiropractic care primarily involves treatment through manual adjustment or manipulation of the spine.
Chiropractors often take a holistic approach to pain, devising treatment programs consisting of a combination of manual manipulations, exercises, ergonomics, patient education and other related physical therapies.
Dispelling Some Of The Myths About Chiropractors:
There are a number of myths about what a chiropractor is and what they can and cannot do.
Some of the frequent questions about chiropractors include: How does a chiropractor treat pain? Can a chiropractor be called a doctor? How many times should you go to a chiropractor?
Let’s address some of these common questions and myths below.
Myth 1: Chiropractors Are Not Real Doctors
Chiropractors are professional, licenced healthcare providers that are regulated in all 10 provinces of Canada. In order to become a chiropractor, you must complete a Doctor of Chiropractic degree program, which is typically 4 years in length.
Chiropractors therefore have the official and legal designation of ‘Doctor’, just as physicians, optometrists and dentists do.
There are two accredited chiropractic schools in Canada and over 40 around the world, with the profession continually growing and expanding.
Chiropractors have the qualifications and training to diagnose and treat disease in their area of expertise.
Myth 2: Joint Manipulations Are Painful
Adjustments and joint manipulations do not generally hurt if done properly. Most patients actually experience immediate pain relief after receiving one.
The sounds from an adjustment are quite normal, and are no different from the popping you hear when cracking your knuckles. It is thought that these ‘popping’ and ‘cracking’ sounds are due to gas bubbles being released from the joints.
Our bodies actually constantly adjust and readjust to the movements and pressures we put on it on a daily basis. Therefore, manual adjustments to re-align any faulty muscles or joints as a result of injury, repetitive work, bad posture or general wear and tear, is only a natural way to address such problems.
To treat back pain, spinal manipulative therapy (SMT) is the most common adjustment performed on patients. It is based on the chiropractic concept of a joint “subluxation.” SMT is reported to have great benefits for back pain.
Myth 3: Chiropractors Can Only Help With Joint Pain
Chiropractic care is not just for joint pain. It can be used to treat several health conditions including headaches and neck pain, as well as injuries or disorders of the muscles, ligaments and joints.
Chiropractors commonly treat people who have suffered injuries from accidents or repetitive work. For example, chiropractic care can significantly help alleviate some of the symptoms associated with carpal tunnel syndrome and even rheumatoid arthritis (non-in order to reduce pain and restore physical function.
Myth 4: There is no evidence to support the effectiveness of chiropractic care
The effectiveness of chiropractic treatment is often questioned. However, it is important to keep in mind what condition, disease, injury or disorder you are looking to address when you approach any treatment.
The field of chiropractic has a large and robust body of clinical evidence that continues to grow. It strives to build its techniques and practices on evidence-based treatment and care.
There is significant evidence that supports the effectiveness of manual therapies on musculoskeletal conditions. For example, spinal and joint manipulation has been shown to be effective treatment for acute and chronic musculoskeletal conditions, like back pain.
In fact, SMT is recommended as first line intervention for back pain in various clinical practice guidelines including the Bone and Joint Decade Task Force and the American College of Physicians and American Pain Society.
At Active Back to Health Centre, our team of professionals is committed to diagnosing, treating and preventing neck and back pain. Over the years, we have helped thousands of patients achieve relief from pain associated with injuries or various health conditions/disorders.
Our therapy programs are tailored to each individual patient, and involve a combination of different treatment approaches.
If you or a loved one is suffering from muscle or joint pain, call us today for a consultation. Our team has the right experience, expertise and willingness to help.You can give us a call at (403) 252-3316 or send us a message via the contact form on our website: https://activebacktohealth.com/contact/