Chiropractors and chiropractic treatment have been around for decades. Yet, there are still many misconceptions about the practice as a whole. Several questions are constantly floating around about how it plays a role in medical healthcare treatments and whether or not it’s a viable solution for certain medical conditions. Today, we’re going to debunk five of the most common myths about chiropractic treatments.
You’ll need to keep going back
You may need recurring visits depending on the severity of your condition, but the decision to continue on is ultimately up to you. When you first visit a Kitchener chiropractor, they’ll examine your medical history along with a physical examination to determine where you’re holding the most discomfort. Once the assessment is complete, a diagnosis and potential treatment plan will be developed in collaboration with the patient. The frequency in which follow-up visits will be decided will depend on the patient’s goals and if their body responds to the initial adjustments performed.
Chiropractors aren’t ‘real’ doctors
In every province in Canada, chiropractors are regulated and are able to use the title of “doctor” once they’ve completed their Doctor of Chiropractic degree program. The completion of this program means that chiropractors are able to provide their patients with a diagnosis and an adequate treatment plan to follow.
You need to be referred by a doctor
Across Canada, chiropractors are considered to be primary contact providers, meaning that you can access them directly without needing to be referred by a medical professional. Because chiropractors go through extensive training in diagnostics, they’ll be able to accurately assess your health to determine the proper diagnosis and treatment options. Depending on the severity of the patient’s condition, a chiropractor may refer you to another healthcare professional better suited to treat your ailment.
There no evidence it’s an effective treatment
It’s common for the effectiveness of chiropractic treatments to be questioned, as are other medical treatments. However, many resources have been pumped into studying the impact of chiropractic adjustment therapy on musculature disorders. Spinal manipulative therapy, in fact, is the first line of treatment for back pain in many clinical practice guidelines.
They only treat back pain
Chiropractors aren’t only musculature experts, but they’re highly trained in assessing, diagnosing, treating, and preventing disorders that begin in the muscular, skeletal, and nervous systems. There’s evidence that chiropractic care both manages musculature issues surrounding the spine as well as any pain felt in the extremities, through headaches and other chronic pain sites. A certified chiropractor also has the ability to provide lifestyle counseling regarding nutrition, ergonomics, and fitness for a well-rounded healthy lifestyle.
At Goss Chiropractic, our team is dedicated to helping patients feel better than they have in years. Located in Kitchener, Ontario, our chiropractors provide at-home exercise programs, easy-to-follow care plans and same-day treatments for new patients. Our services include acupuncture, chiropractic Kitchener care, cold laser treatments, shock and electrical therapy, and more. To book an appointment, call us or visit our website.