Dispelling Common Myths About Chiropractic Care

Dear Readers,

Chiropractic care, a form of alternative medicine that focuses on diagnosing and treating mechanical disorders of the neuromusculoskeletal system, has often been surrounded by myths that can lead to misunderstandings and misperceptions. This newsletter will address some of these myths and provide evidence-based insights to help you make informed decisions about chiropractic care.

Myth 1: Chiropractic Care Is Unsafe

One prevalent myth is the belief that chiropractic care, particularly spinal manipulative therapy, is unsafe. However, research has shown that chiropractic care is generally safe when performed by qualified professionals (Johnson et al., 2012). Consultation with a licensed chiropractor is essential to understand the potential benefits and risks associated with chiropractic treatments.

Myth 2: Chiropractic Care Is Not Effective

Another common misconception is that chiropractic is not effective in addressing neuromusculoskeletal issues. Moreover, Johnson et al., (2012) provided evidence that chiropractic care can be beneficial, especially for conditions such as low back pain and pelvic girdle pain during pregnancy. Additionally, chiropractic care has been shown to improve pain and function while reducing pregnancy-related biopsychosocial concerns, highlighting its effectiveness in addressing a wide range of issues.

Myth 3: Chiropractic Care Is Not Suitable for Children

There is a mistaken belief that chiropractic is not suitable for paediatric patients. However, dispelling this myth is crucial as chiropractic care was reported to be amongst the most common complementary and alternative medicine for children (Kemper, 2008), and a lack of understanding regarding chiropractic might have led to its under-utilisation within paediatric populations (Cawood, 2016).

Myth 4: Chiropractors Lack Knowledge of Mental Health

Another misconception is that chiropractic practitioners lack knowledge of mental health. With the aid of self-report measures, Chiropractors are able to identify signs and symptoms causing anxiety, depression and distress and the role that these factors play in the augmentation of pain.

In conclusion, it is essential to evaluate and debunk any misconceptions surrounding chiropractic critically. By separating fact from fiction, we can make informed decisions about our health and well-being. When provided by qualified professionals, chiropractic care can offer safe and effective treatment for various neuromusculoskeletal issues. We hope this newsletter has provided valuable insights into dispelling common myths about chiropractic care. Stay informed, stay healthy!

Sincerely,

Dr. Kevin Ivins

References:

Cawood, H. (2016). Knowledge, understanding and perception of parents towards the utilization of chiropractic treatment for paediatric patients in the Durban Metropolitan area (Doctoral dissertation). https://doi.org/10.51415/10321/1545

Ferrari, M., & Whillier, S. (2017). Mental health knowledge and common misconceptions in a Master of Chiropractic final year cohort. The Journal of Mental Health Training, Education and Practice, 12(3), 150-160. https://doi.org/10.1108/jmhtep-09-2016-0045

Johnson, C., Rubinstein, S. M., Côté, P., Hestbaek, L., Injeyan, H. S., Puhl, A., ... & Kopansky-Giles, D. R. (2012). Chiropractic care and public health: answering difficult questions about safety, care through the lifespan, and community action. Journal of manipulative and physiological therapeutics, 35(7), 493-513. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmpt.2012.09.001

Kemper, K. J., Vohra, S., Walls, R., Task Force on Complementary and Alternative Medicine, & Provisional Section on Complementary, Holistic, and Integrative Medicine. (2008). The use of complementary and alternative medicine in pediatrics. Pediatrics, 122(6), 1374-1386. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2008-2173