3 Common Myths Regarding Chiropractic Treatment And The Truth Behind Them

Since chiropractor adjustments are being considered an alternative treatment, many people are confused about what the process actually entails. As such, this has led to a widespread misunderstanding of chiropractic, with a number of myths becoming prevalent that have no truth. In order to help rectify this, below are three common myths about chiropractic treatment and the truth behind them:

The 'Cracking' Sound of Chiropractic Procedures is Dangerous

One of the most common fears experienced by chiropractic patients is the cracking or 'popping' sound that is associated with chiropractic adjustments. Oftentimes, when the chiropractor manipulates your spine, there is an audible cracking noise that can sound like your spine is being forced in the wrong direction. However, it's important to realize that this sound actually isn't caused by your bones!

Rather, this sound is caused by a rapid release of pressure that is caused by the manipulation of your vertebrae. Any misalignments in your spine can cause a build up of pressure that is held within small pockets underneath the joint. When the joint is forced back into its intended position, the pressure is released and your spine moves back into its natural configuration.

As such, this popping sound is actually a great thing! Although it doesn't mean your problem has been solved alone, it is a great indication that your joint has been manipulated into its proper position.

With that said, many chiropractic clinics offer alternative treatments during which no pressure is released and no sound heard. If this popping sound is too much for you to handle, have a chat with your practitioner about alternative treatment methods that they can adopt to help you feel more at ease.

You Have to Visit a Chiropractor for Life

Many sufferers of back pain and related conditions believe that they will have to visit a chiropractor for life in order to maintain any pain relief. While this is a viable option, it simply isn't true that shorter treatment plans won't help reduce your existing problems.

When you visit a chiropractor, they will carry out a full assessment of your posture and symptoms in order to devise a treatment plan that is tailored to your needs. Once your specific requirements are understood, your chiropractor will offer you a number of different options for you to choose. Depending on your condition, these can range from three visits per week to one visit per month; however, your chiropractor will be able to accommodate your specific requirements when building your plan.

Once the initial treatment stage is over, your chiropractor will likely recommend a maintenance plan in order to keep your spine in good condition. These visits will be much more sporadic and are merely designed to act as check-ups in order to catch any subsequent problems before they develop. However, if you feel like you don't need or want maintenance checks, that's fine! The benefits gained from your initial treatment period won't disappear if you don't visit your chiropractic clinic for a while.

Your Condition Will Be Worsened

The fear of conditions becoming worse from visiting a chiropractor are typically caused by a misunderstanding of the chiropractic treatment approach. Many people falsely believe that the hands-on manipulation techniques used by a chiropractor can somehow be dangerous if not carried out properly.

This common fear is entirely understandable. Your spine, including your neck, is a sensitive area of your body that, if injured, can cause paralysis. As such, it's understandable for people to think that conditions could be worsened by manual manipulation of the spine. However, this isn't true.

For one, chiropractors are highly trained individuals who have a wealth of experience in manipulating the spine. Qualified practitioners will only use techniques that have proven experience as being safe for your body. Additionally, the techniques used by chiropractors are actually very gentle. Many people believe that there is a great deal of force exerted on the body when undergoing an adjustment; however, in the majority of cases, a gentle push is all that is required.