Myths and Truths about Chiropractic

Myth: Chiropractic care is not safe

Truth:  Going to the chiropractor is much like going to the gym.  While a single visit may be of some benefit, lasting changes are best made with a more long term attitude.  That said, a good base level of ‘spinal fitness’ and reduction in symptoms can often be made within only a number of weeks. 

Different people choose to benefit in different ways from chiropractic care. While some individuals are happy to receive care until acute and obvious symptoms are gone, we usually recommend ‘staying in shape’ with maintenance visits.  These are usually every 4-12 weeks, depending on the individual. These visits help maintain, and build on, the changes we have already made, and help reduce the risk of further injury and degeneration.

Truth: At Daniel Edwards Chiropractic you can keep your clothes on.  We may ask you to remove your shoes or any heavy jackets, but we can still perform a thorough examination and effective adjustment through a thin layer or two of your clothes. 

Females may prefer to wear pants rather than a skirt to their visits, but rest assured that modesty can still be protected with the use of towels.

Truth: Usually just the opposite!  Most people walk out of their visits feeling great.  And those under wellness or maintenance care often walk in feeling great too!

Much like going to the gym after not having worked out for some time, some people can experience a small amount of discomfort after their first one or two visits.  These slight aches or pains, or clicking of some joints can occur when the body is adapting to the changes we are trying to make.  This can be a normal reaction and can indicate that we are making the progress that needs to be made. The initial reaction is not necessarily an accurate indicator of the long-term results which can be achieved with chiropractic care. Any discomfort experienced usually settles down in a short period of time, and is nothing to panic about.

Truth: While chiropractic has become renowned for specialising in the treatment and prevention of back and neck pain, headaches, migraines and sciatica, many people seek chiropractic care to improve the overall functioning and health of their bodies.

When the function of the nervous system is restored through regular chiropractic care, many people notice positive changes throughout their body. These changes may not be those you would typically associate with a visit to the chiropractor; and can include improvements in digestion, fatigue, asthma and sinus problems.  Improvements are also often noticed with sleep, stress levels, as well as strengthening of the immune system.  Children under chiropractic care often see benefit with issues such as colic, learning difficulties, and bed-wetting.

Myth: Chiropractors just crack your bones

Truth: At Daniel Edwards Chiropractic we use a range of techniques tailored towards each individual.  Some techniques do involve specific manual adjustments to particular parts of your body, however many other low or non-force techniques, which don’t involve ‘cracking’ of the joints can also be used to gain similar results.

Many athletes and other health-conscious individuals receive regular chiropractic care to help develop their flexibility, balance, and co-ordination.  This not only helps with performance enhancement, but helps avoid injury.

In the case of acute injury, chiropractic can also help to manage sprains and strains to not just the back, but knees, shoulders, ankles, and the rest of the body.

Some people are concerned by the noise made when receiving a manual adjustment to a part of their body. However, the ‘popping’ or ‘cracking’ sound you may hear isn’t anything to be alarmed about, it is simply the natural sound that occurs when gas is released from the fluid that lubricates the joint.  It’s much like opening a bottle of champagne, or taking off a suction cap.  Rest assured the sound doesn’t represent any bones breaking, or do any harm to the joint. 

Truth:  Because chiropractic avoids drugs and surgery, it is safe for almost everyone. In fact, chiropractic care is over 100 times safer than taking over-the-counter pain relievers such as Aspirin! It is safer than flying in a commercial aeroplane, and far safer than driving your car.

A thorough history and examination will help determine which chiropractic techniques will be safest and most effective for each individual.

Myth: Chiropractic is just for sore backs

Myth: You have to take your clothes off during your appointment

Myth: It hurts to go to the Chiropractor

Myth: If you go once you’ll have to go forever

With the vast range of chiropractic techniques that can be drawn upon at Daniel Edwards Chiropractic, we can use the right technique to ensure that each individual is as comfortable as possible throughout the journey towards better health.