Chiropractic treatment focuses on manual manipulation of the musculoskeletal system, primarily the spine. It is used for a wide variety of health conditions, including back pain and joint pain.
The American Medical Association waged a war against chiropractic for half a century, branding chiropractors as snake-oil salesmen. The public is still skeptical of this alternative healing practice.
It’s Too Good to Be True
Chiropractic is an alternative medicine that involves manual (hands-on) manipulation of the body’s musculoskeletal system, with an emphasis on the spine. The goal is to restore proper alignment and encourage the body’s natural healing process, without surgery or medication.
Millions of people visit chiropractors, especially for back pain and neck pain. Many of them are also treated for other conditions, such as acid reflux, headaches, high blood pressure, and fibromyalgia.
But despite its popularity, many people still don’t believe that chiropractic can truly help. This is mostly due to myths that have been perpetuated by popular media and social media. Despite the back-cracking videos that surface online, spinal manipulation is actually a safe form of treatment for many different ailments.
One of the most common misconceptions is that chiropractic is a form of pseudoscience. Some medical professionals consider it to be so, and they have even introduced bills in state legislatures that would prohibit physical therapists from performing spinal manipulation. This is in direct opposition to the views of the chiropractic profession, who insist that their practice is based on scientific principles and evidence.
Nevertheless, a study published in the journal Chiropractic & Osteopathy in 2009 found that chiropractors’ theories do not “fulfill basic criteria of causation.” It concluded that the idea that disease is caused by spinal nerve pressure and can be cured by spinal adjustments is “of the utmost ridicule and is an insult to the intelligence of the public.”
The same study concluded that there was little or no evidence to support chiropractic claims about the cause and cure of various diseases, including cancer. It also concluded that chiropractors should focus on musculoskeletal problems and avoid making claims about other conditions.
Although there is some debate about how to safely perform spinal manipulation, most studies conclude that it’s a safe method of treatment. In addition, research suggests that spinal manipulation can improve posture, reduce headache frequency and intensity, and enhance performance in sports participants. It may also improve a patient’s mood, as pain and depression often co-exist. However, patients should always contact their primary care physician if they experience any symptoms that are severe or unusual, such as nausea, vomiting, dizziness, numbness, or fainting.
It’s Not Effective
Despite popular belief, chiropractic is not pseudoscience. It has been scientifically proven to have a variety of benefits, such as:
Pain relief: Chiropractic adjustments can help ease the pain associated with many health conditions, including arthritis and chronic back and neck pain. This can improve your overall quality of life.
Increased flexibility: Regular chiropractic treatment can help ease tight muscles and improve your overall range of motion. This can also boost athletic performance.
Reduction of dizziness: If you suffer from debilitating vertigo, a chiropractor can likely treat it with spinal manipulation. They can help to restore balance to the brain and body, which is often caused by a misaligned spine.
Reduced dependency on prescription pain relievers: People with chronic back or neck pain who see a chiropractor may find that they need to use fewer pain medication than those who don’t get chiropractic care. A study published in 2020 found that patients who receive chiropractic treatments on a regular basis have lower levels of opioids in their blood than those who don’t.
Enhanced mood: Chronic pain can lead to depression, which is why it’s so important to try and alleviate it when possible. Studies have shown that chiropractic treatment can lead to an increase in serotonin, a chemical in the brain that helps regulate emotions and fight stress.
A decrease in inflammation: Inflammation is linked to a wide range of health conditions, from heart disease to cancer. Chiropractic treatment can help to reduce inflammation in the body by adjusting the spine, which can improve circulation and immune function.
Although there are some concerns about how effective chiropractic treatment is, most people find that it does provide them with relief from pain and discomfort. However, it’s important to talk to your primary care physician if you’re considering seeing a chiropractor. They can help you decide if it’s the right choice for you and can provide you with a referral if necessary. They can also recommend other practitioners who specialize in different types of treatment if chiropractic isn’t the best option for you. In addition, it’s important to read reviews on both your chiropractor and the office where you plan to visit, and pick one similar to the Scottsdale chiropractors.
It’s Not Safe
Chiropractic is a pseudoscience that is based on the belief that misaligned vertebrae interfere with nerve signals to other parts of the body, causing health problems. The practice was founded in 1895 by Daniel David Palmer, who reportedly restored the hearing of a deaf man by realigning a displaced vertebra. He believed that if the spine was in alignment, the body could heal itself. While modern chiropractors have incorporated other therapies, spinal manipulation is still the mainstay of their treatment.
In addition to spine manipulation, chiropractic practices often use soft tissue therapy (massage, ultrasound, and joint bracing) and nutritional counseling. They may also sell herbal remedies and homeopathic preparations. A 2009 study found that many chiropractors also give advice on diet and immunizations and promote a wellness approach to health. The study also found that most chiropractors endorse the World Health Organization’s immunization mission.
Although a lot of people believe that chiropractic can cure a variety of ailments, there isn’t sufficient evidence for this claim. Moreover, there are risks associated with chiropractic treatments, including headaches and musculoskeletal problems.
Moreover, spinal manipulation can lead to a stroke or dislocation of the vertebrae. These risks have been documented in studies that used high-speed spinal manipulation. However, these risks are not common and only occur when a highly-trained chiropractor performs the procedure.
The American College of Chiropractic has urged doctors to use caution when performing chiropractic adjustments. They also should inform patients of the potential risks and provide them with alternative treatment options. Nevertheless, most chiropractors adhere to the profession’s code of ethics and follow the guidelines set by their respective states and national organizations.
While there are numerous benefits of chiropractic care, it’s important to remember that the treatment is not a substitute for medical attention. If you experience persistent pain, contact your physician. They can recommend other methods for pain management, such as physical therapy or pharmacological treatments. They can also refer you to a specialist for further evaluation.
It’s Not a Profession
Chiropractors are not medical doctors but they receive rigorous training, combined with thousands of hours of hands-on practice. They are regulated by state and national peer-reviewed boards. Most health insurances cover chiropractic care. And unlike medical doctors, chiropractors do not use drugs to treat patients.
Chiropractic has had a long history of controversy, but it is gaining more acceptance in modern healthcare. Research has shown that it may be effective in treating many conditions, including back pain and headaches. Furthermore, medical doctors are now more comfortable working with chiropractors to help their patients.
Some of the challenges facing chiropractic include its role in the healthcare system and establishing its cultural authority. Other challenges include promoting high-quality research and evidence-based practice, improving interprofessional collaboration, addressing regulatory and reimbursement issues, and establishing standardization and integration. The growing aging population and need for chronic care management also pose challenges for the chiropractic profession.
The underlying philosophy of chiropractic is that the nervous system controls every cell and organ in the body. Chiropractic practitioners believe that if a person has a musculoskeletal problem, the nervous system can control and resolve it without surgery or medication. Early chiropractors developed a theory that 95 percent of disease is caused by misaligned vertebrae that impinge on spinal nerves. This misalignment is called a subluxation.
Today, the majority of chiropractic treatments involve spinal manipulation, but there are also treatments for neck pain, shoulder pain, muscle spasms, knee problems and more. These techniques include posture correction, manual joint mobilization, electronic muscle stimulation and massage therapy. These techniques are generally less invasive than surgical procedures and they do not cause side effects.
While chiropractic is not a cure-all, it can certainly reduce the amount of pain that people experience and improve their quality of life. For instance, one study found that chiropractic manipulation reduced the number of days that patients were experiencing moderate to severe back pain and sciatica symptoms. This type of treatment can also increase a patient’s overall functioning and productivity. It can also decrease depression and anxiety, which are common co-occurring conditions with chronic pain.