Common Chirorpactic Myths

How do you define “scientific ?”

If you define it as the systematic pursuit of knowledge involving the recognition of a problem, the collection of data through observation and experiment and then testing the resulting hypothesis, then today’s chiropractic is quite scientific. Because it’s based on the scientific fact that the nervous system controls and regulates virtually every cell, tissue, organ and system of the body.

Don’t be misled by the “low-tech” nature of chiropractic adjustments!

There are a growing number of studies that suggest the chiropractic approach to reducing nerve disturbance along the spine, may enhance the ability of the brain and nerve system to control and regulate the body.

These include published research documenting the results of chiropractic care on asthma, infantile colic, immune function, dysmenorrhea (menstrual cramps), improving visioning brain function, lower back pain, one’s overall health status and many others.

The “scientific” argument is largely a red herring and the sign of a double standard. Medical economist David Eddy, MD, PhD., observes that only 15% of medical procedures have ever been scientifically verified, and the other 85% of common medical procedures have no “scientific basis!”

Ultimately the proof is in the pudding. Ask our delighted patients whether chiropractic is scientific.

References

Gray’s Anatomy, Henry Gray F.R.S. Sith, R. Where is the wisdom? BMJ 1991; 303 (Oct 5): 798-799.

Paul Shekelle, MD, MPH, Head of back study of Rand corporation, Santa Monica, Ca, 1992, Medicine, Monopolies and Malice, pp 49, 199, 208.

John Carey, Medical Guesswork. Business Week, May 29, 2006, 73-79

The fact is, educational requirements for today’s chiropractor are among the most stringent of any of the health care professions.

Several decades ago the education that chiropractors received was purposely narrow. Without the interest in prescribing medicines or performing surgery, chiropractic education focused on anatomy, the philosophy of natural healing, the wisdom of the body and adjusting techniques.

Today’s chiropractor receives a much broader education. In fact, it’s quite comparable to that received by medical practitioners.

Before acceptance to a five year chiropractic college, prospective chiropractors must complete a minimum of three years of undergraduate work with heavy emphasis on the basic sciences.

This focus on science continues during the first two years of study, emphasizing classroom and laboratory work in anatomy, physiology, public health, microbiology, pathology and biochemistry. later, the focus is unspecialized subjects, including chiropractic philosophy and practice, along with chiropractic diagnosis and adjusting methods. Since chiropractors don’t prescribe drugs, instead of studying pharmacology and surgery, they receive an even deeper training in anatomy,  physiology, rehabilitation, nutrition, diagnosis, x-ray and a variety of adjusting techniques that aren’t taught in any other health care field.

Disparaging the educational achievements of today’s chiropractor is an outdated belief from another era.

References
http://www.yourmedicaldetective.com/drgrisanti/mddc.htm

Your notion of a “real” doctor probably conforms to a prototype generated by the mass media.

Many have come to think of a doctor as someone who prescribes advice and drugs or performs surgery. Sporting a white lab coat or surgical scrubs with a stethoscope at the neck, doctors are seen as all-knowing, omnipotent and able to save patients in 60 minutes, less commercials.

A medical doctor (MD) and a chiropractor (DC) while different, have both received a degree from a government accredited medical school or chiropractic college and are licensed to practice.

But that’s where the similarity ends because each discipline looks at health and healing in very different ways.

Medical Doctors:

• Sees the disease
• Studies the blood
• Relies on drugs
• Treats symptoms

Chiropractors:

• Sees the person with the disease
• Improves nervous system integrity
• Reduces causes of nerve interference
• Promote proper bodily function

Clearly, these are two very different philosophies. Yet, each has it’s place. If you have broken bones or you’re bleeding by the side of the road, you want the heroic lifesaving measures of emergency medical treatment.

But if you have chronic aches and pains or an interest in wellness, you may want the health restoration possible that is the focus of chiropractic care.

We’ve all heard the joke, “How many chiropractors does it take to change a light bulb?"

"Only one but it takes 100 visits”

Funny. Ha-Ha

The fact is, you don’t have to do anything you don’t want to. Many folks choose to continue their chiropractic care on some type of periodic basis for the rest of their lives. Others choose to see us from time to time for episodes of neck or back pain. It’s your choice.

However, this concern is prompted by two common questions:

• Will I get addicted to chiropractic adjustments?
  • No. Many people feel a pleasant sense of ease and well-being after their chiropractic adjustments. Some feel as though their power has been ‘’turned on.” Others feel whole or “connected”. (this is what normal feels like) Once people experience this feeling they often choose to adopt some type of ongoing schedule of care so they continue to feel this way all the time. It’s not an addiction.
• Why so many visits necessary?
  • By the time many people consult our practice, they’ve had their problem for some time. Retraining muscles and ligaments that support the spine takes time. Each visit builds on the one’s before. Remember, you’re doing the healing, not the chiropractor.

How long you decide to benefit from chiropractic care is always up to you.

This is the “let sleeping dogs lie” approach to healthcare! "I feel fine. Why do I need to see the doctor?"

That’s the problem with the lifestyle-induced health problems facing our culture.

They quietly fester in the background, slowly worsening, often without any obvious symptom. Arterial plaque builds up. Blood pressure rises. Certain foods now cause heartburn. Every morning you get out of bed a little bit slower and stiffer. You hardly notice the incremental change. Ironically, these are often the same folks who religiously change their oil and do other preventative maintenance to lengthen the life, appearance and performance of their car!

If you like being your very best, you’ll love visiting our practice. No shots. No yucky medicine. No “healthier than thou” attitude. No preaching.

Most medical doctors are unfamiliar with chiropractic and the principles by which it works. Many are still operating under the policy perpetuated by the illegal boycott of chiropractors by the American medical Association in the United States and the Australian Medical Association in Australia.

On September 25, 1987, a United States federal judge ruled that the AMA had violated Section 1 of the Sherman Act, and that it had engaged in an unlawful conspiracy in restraint of trade ‘to contain and eliminate the chiropractic profession.” The judge issued a permanent injunction against the AMA under Section 16 of the Clayton Act to prevent such future behaviour.

Fortunately, more and more enlightened medical doctors around the world see the value in chiropractic care.

“Instead of thinking of chiropractic as an alternative or some kind of therapy separate from other healthcare, we really should consider it equivalent.”

Paul Shekelle, M.D., P.H.D.
The RAND Corporation

“If you’re only tool is a hammer, every problem looks like a nail” This is why I frequently refer patients to chiropractors as well as acupuncturists, massage therapists, osteopaths, ore to any one I feel may have something to offer my patients.”

David Perlmutter, M.D.
Dynamic Chiropractic
July, 1992, volume 10, issue 16

Why would a child have a spine and nervous system problem? Traumatic births. Learning to walk. Slips. Falls. The list is endless. Yet, because children have such an adaptive capacity, these problems are often brushed off as “growing pains” or just a “phase they’re going through.”

“As the twig is bent, so grows the tree.”

Many patients report that chiropractic care has been helpful for colic, ear infections, erratic sleeping habits, bedwetting, scoliosis, “growing pains” and many other common childhood health complaints.

The concern that many parents have is that chiropractic adjustments will be too forceful. They mistakenly think that their child will receive adjustments like ones they receive. not only are adjusting techniques modified for each person’s size and unique spinal problem, an infant’s spine rarely has the long-standing muscle tightness seen in adults. This makes children’s chiropractic adjustments gentle.

Knowing exactly where to adjust, newborns and infants are adjusted with no more pressure than you’d use to test the ripeness of a tomato. Many parents have commented that they see almost instant improvements in the well-being of their child.