Myth: “Chiropractic isn’t safe.”
Fact: In the words of an independent New Zealand government study, chiropractic care is “remarkably safe”. In comparison to treatments by medical doctors who prescribe drugs or surgery, chiropractic is very safe. Do you know about the common harmful side effects of just the OTC drugs you take? Aspirin & Ibuprofen can cause gastrointestinal bleeding, and acetaminophen causes changes in liver function. Prescription drugs’ side effects are literally pages long.
Fact: Malpractice insurance premiums are another indicator of how safe chiropractic is. Just as your auto insurance premiums increase as accident claims are filed, malpractice premiums also rise base on medical malpractice claims filed against the doctor. Another important factor in determining malpractice insurance premiums, is how dangerous or risky the procedures or therapies prescribed by the physician are. Since drugs and surgery cause so many ill side effects or even death, obviously anyone utilizing those therapies would pay a higher premium. Medical doctors are currently paying in excess of $40,000 per year in malpractice premiums, while the average chiropractor is paying less than $2500 per year. Based on this information, which type of care do you think is safer?
Myth: “Chiropractors think they can cure anything.”
Fact: The truth is, we offer chiropractic care, not a cure. Only your body can heal a cut, mend a broken bone or know exactly how much insulin you need. Your nervous system orchestrates every bodily function. That’s why a restored nerve supply from chiropractic care can produce profound effects throughout your body, not just for aches and pains associated with the spine.
Myth: “I don’t believe in chiropractic.”
Fact: If you’re familiar with the placebo effect, you’re aware of the influence our minds can have on the outcome of a particular health care procedure. But belief in chiropractic is not necessary for the benefits of a better working nervous system to show up. Countless examples of newborns and babies benefiting from chiropractic care are documented in research. Even cats, dogs, horses, and other animals that can’t possibly ‘believe’ in chiropractic have benefited from care.
Myth: “Once you go to a chiropractor, you have to go for the rest of your life.”
Fact: This may be one of the most incorrect notions about chiropractic. It probably has sprung from a common observation that we, and other chiropractors, notice among patients who stop their care once they feel better: their problem returns. The way to avoid a needless relapse is to continue with your care beyond the relief stage and through the corrective phase of care. If you stick with it long enough to get actual correction and not just symptomatic relief, you may be able to kiss the problem good-bye for good.
Myth: “Chiropractic is just for back and neck pain.”
Fact: Chiropractic can be helpful for a wide variety of health problems. That’s because the primary focus of chiropractic care is the nervous system, which controls the entire body. Interferences to the vital communications link between the brain and body can be disrupted by the moving bones of the spine. This is called a subluxation. By reducing these interferences along the spine, nerve function is improved and other affected organs and tissues can be revitalized…much like restoring nutrition to a starving body.
Myth: “Chiropractic care delays medical treatment.”
Fact: Because of its safety and conservative approach, chiropractic care is recommended first, before such drastic measures as drugs and surgery. With the growing awareness of medical mistakes, iatrogenic (doctor caused) diseases, adverse reactions to medications and the high cost of medical care, chiropractic is growing in popularity.
Fact: As recently as last week, new information has been revealed regarding the very real dangers of some common and frequently prescribed prescription drugs. Concerned and respected scientists have put their careers on the line by blowing the whistle on some of the leading pharmaceutical companies, reporting that studies have been altered to omit negative side effects and outcomes. Additionally investigations are uncovering claims that top FDA officials have been paid to look the other way when they approve these drugs for use on the open market. It’s time to choose a drug free treatment such as, chiropractic or acupuncture, to replace harmful drugs such as vioxx, celebrex, bextra, and others which are now being removed from the market.