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Find Out The Facts
There are myths about chiropractic care, methods and doctors. We would like
to clear the air and help you determine myth from reality with the help of
some chiropractic facts and statistics as well as facts about chiropractors.
myth vs. reality
Myth: Chiropractors crack your bones.
Reality: A chiropractic adjustment does not affect the bones on either side of a joint; it affects the connective tissue that holds the joint together. More often patients will comment that they hear a “popping” sound with each maneuver, but there is no need for concern. The noises you might hear are tiny pockets of air releasing.
Myth: Once you start going to a chiropractor, you have to keep going forever.
Reality: If you are being treated for a specific condition, the treatment plan ends when the condition is resolved. People who feel better after spinal adjustment (manipulation) usually do so after a few visits.
Hadler NM (2005). Low back pain. In WJ Koopman, ed., Arthritis and Allied Conditions, 15th ed., vol. 2, pp. 2073–2086. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins.
Myth: Spinal adjustments hurt.
Reality: Chiropractic manipulation is a highly controlled procedure that rarely causes discomfort. Chiropractic techniques use minimal force and gentle pressure. Most patients feel instant relief immediately after their treatments.
American Chiropractic Association, 2011. http://acatoday.org/
Myth: Spinal adjustments are dangerous.
Reality: Chiropractic spinal adjustments are extremely safe when performed by licensed chiropractors. Chiropractic is widely recognized as one of the safest drug-free, non-invasive therapies available for the treatment for most back and neck problems. Approximately 20% of the U.S. population has used chiropractic services at some point.
According to the 2002 National Health Interview Survey released in January 2005, CCMI Business Plan
Myth: Chiropractors only treat back pain.
Reality: Research has shown chiropractic to be effective in treating low back pain and to be helpful in treating neck pain and headaches. Chiropractors also treat injuries and disorders involving the muscles, ligaments and joints. Benefits of chiropractic also extend to general health issues since our body structure affects our overall function.
Chou R, Huffman LH (2007). Nonpharmacologic therapies for acute and chronic low back pain: A review of the evidence for an American Pain Society/American College of Physicians Clinical Practice Guideline. Annals of Internal Medicine, 147(7): 492–504.
Myth: I can adjust myself.
Reality: Since a chiropractic adjustment is a specific force, applied in a specific direction to a specific joint, it is virtually impossible to adjust oneself correctly and accurately.
Myth: Chiropractors aren’t doctors.
Reality: Doctors of chiropractic (also known as chiropractors) are not medical doctors, but go through just as much schooling. Educational requirements are among the most stringent of any of the health care professionals.
Myth: Chiropractic treatment requires a referral from an MD.
Reality: A referral is not needed to see a doctor of chiropractic; however, your health plan may have specific referral requirements. Contact your employer’s human resources department—or the insurance plan directly—to find out if there are any referral requirements.
Myth: Chiropractic care is expensive.
Reality: Most insurance plans cover chiropractic care for acute conditions. Total costs are lower for patients who received treatment (either initially or during the course of their care) from a chiropractor. Patients usually need to make a copayment at the time of their appointment.
Shekelle PG, Markovich M, Louie R. Comparing the costs between provider types of episodes of back pain care. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 1995; 20:221-6; discussion 7.
Myth: All patients are adjusted the same way.
Reality: Each patient's care is uniquely different from every other patient. Adjusting methods are always adapted to a patient’s size, weight, age and condition of health.
Myth: Do insurance plans cover chiropractic care?
Reality: Chiropractic care is included in most insurance plans and is a state-mandated benefit for some groups, but not all. Most insurance companies cover treatment for acute conditions, but most do not cover maintenance or wellness treatments. If you are unsure, talk to your insurance company before treatment.
Redwood, D. (2009). The health reform movement: Peril and possibility in the Obama era. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Research, 15(2), 1-3.
Myth: It’s unsafe to see a chiropractor when I’m pregnant.
Reality: Pregnant mothers find that chiropractic adjustments improve their pregnancy and make delivery easier for themselves and their baby. Adjusting methods are always adapted to a patient’s size, weight, age and condition of health.
Myth: My back pain will go away with time.
Reality: More than 80% of people experience low back pain at some time in their lives. For many, the condition becomes chronic. If you don’t get treatment to fix the problem, your pain may worsen or your problem may become persistent.
Dagenais S, Caro J, Haldeman S. A systematic review of low back pain cost of illness studies in the United States and internationally. Spine J. 2008;8:8-20.
Myth: After going to the chiropractor, I will be in severe pain.
Reality: The likelihood of initial soreness or increased pain after an adjustment has been found to be similar to that of starting an exercise program.
Hurwitz, E. L., Morgenstern, H., Vassilaki, M., & Chiang, L. M. (2005). Frequency and clinical predictors of adverse reactions to chiropractic care in the UCLA neck pain study. Spine, 30(13), 1477-1484.
Myth: It is impossible to find a good chiropractor.
Reality: One of the best ways to select a chiropractor is by getting a referral from someone you trust. You can also locate a chiropractor near you by using ChiroCare’s
Find a Doctor
Find a Doctor search option – 96% of patients surveyed rated the general outcome of their treatment as 'Good' or better.
ChiroCare 2010 Patient Satisfaction Survey
Myth: Back pain is annoying, but doesn’t affect my life.
Reality: Pain gets in the way of many people’s lives. Back pain is one of the most common reasons for missed work, and is the second most common reason for visits to the doctor’s office, outnumbered only by upper-respiratory infections.
Dagenais S, Caro J, Haldeman S. A systematic review of low back pain cost of illness studies in the United States and internationally. Spine J, 2008.
“While it wasn’t an immediate relief, every day [it] felt a little bit better.”
Reality: Chiropractic spinal adjustments are extremely safe when performed by licensed chiropractors. Chiropractic is widely recognized as one of the safest drug-free, non-invasive therapies available for the treatment for most back and neck problems. Approximately 20% of the U.S. population has used chiropractic services at some point.
Reality: More than 80% of people experience low back pain at some time in their lives. For many, the condition becomes chronic. If you don’t get treatment to fix the problem, your pain may worsen or your problem may become persistent. 
Reality: One of the best ways to select a chiropractor is by getting a referral from someone you trust. You can also locate a chiropractor near you by using ChiroCare’s
Find a Doctor
Find a Doctor search option – 96% of patients surveyed rated the general outcome of their treatment as 'Good' or better. 
