MYTHS

This is probably the biggest misconception surrounding chiropractors today. Chiropractic treatment is generally divided into 3 stages acute care, corrective care, and maintenance care. It is entirely up to the patient how far they would like to take their treatment. Acute care focuses on relief and pain reduction, corrective care addresses fixing structural and biomechanical dysfunction, and maintenance care acts as a preventative measure. It is this last stage that has been misconstrued by many to mean chiropractic care requires a lifetime commitment. 

The goal of maintenance care is to prevent future recurrences and the development of new problems. It can be compared to exercise, yearly dental check-ups, or a healthy diet. It is not necessary but it helps maintain optimum health. For this reason, after the conclusion of the acute and corrective stages of care, patients are given the OPTION to continue with maintenance care. A lifetime commitment is not necessary to reduce pain and fix structural and biomechanical problems. Patients who make a lifetime commitment do so by choice because they realize the benefits of regular chiropractic treatment.

The success of chiropractic treatment with neck and back pain is well known, but this success perpetuates a myth that chiropractors only treat neck and back. Here at the BODY DETOX, we focus on conditions of the ENTIRE neuromusculoskeletal system or the nerves, muscles, and bone system. Although the spine is a very important part of this system, it is not the only part of this system. Along with the spine, we also successfully treat conditions of the shoulder, wrist, hand, hip, knee, ankle, foot, and the muscles and nerves associated with these structures.

When a nerve is not functioning properly it is called a neuropathy. In some cases, joint restrictions in the spine induce inflammation in the area causing the nerves that originate from those specific spinal segments to function abnormally. This is called radiculopathy (a neuropathy that comes from the spine) and often leads to pain, tingling, numbness, and weakness along the course of that nerve. Sciatica is a common example of this condition. However, not all cases of abnormally functioning nerves originate from the spine. A case of Sciatica may be due to a spinal dysfunction but it could also be due to what’s called a peripheral nerve entrapment. Peripheral nerve entrapment is when a nerve is “pinched” not at the spine but somewhere else along the course of that nerve. In these instances, treatment of the spine will not alleviate the pain and discomfort. To assume that all neuropathies originate from the spine would be an irresponsible conclusion.

Significant trauma to our neuromusculoskeletal system can occur at ANY age, and especially during the birth process. Chiropractic treatment can be modified to meet the needs of specific conditions and age. Some chiropractors actually specialize in pediatrics and newborns have been known to receive chiropractic treatment. Many low-force techniques are available for elderly patients concerned with osteoporosis.

The training and education endured by doctors of Chiropractic is extremely thorough and demanding, similar to that of medical doctors. Prior to entering Chiropractic College, the aspiring chiropractor requires 2-4 years (depending on the college attended and the state one wishes to practice in) of premed undergraduate studies. Once completed, the student must next complete 4-5 academic years of studies at a Chiropractic College. This includes extensive training in anatomy, physiology, pathology, neurology, radiology, differential diagnosis, chiropractic manipulation techniques, biomechanics, and other health-related studies.

In addition, prior to graduation, each student must successfully complete several hundred clinical hours of patient management in a clinical setting under professional supervision. Most Chiropractic Colleges also require students to partake in clinical preceptorship programs, which place them in Chiropractic Offices to further enhance their clinical practice skills. Doctors of Chiropractic must successfully complete a rigorous National and State Board examinations prior to obtaining a license to practice Chiropractic. Once licensed, most states require all chiropractors to receive an annual continuing education to ensure that a high level of competency is maintained.