In the age of Google and the internet, we have a wealth of information at our fingertips.
In just a matter of seconds, we can have any question answered that we can think of.
Who was the first emperor of Rome? The answer is right here.
Need to know Abraham Lincolns family tree for a school project? No problem.
Curious to know what the 40th digit of pi is? You can find out on this website.
Even with so much information readily available at our fingertips, not all of it is accurate.
Anyone with a little know-how can set up their own website and put information out into the world, no matter how accurate it is.
Because of this, in late 2016, Oxford Dictionaries selected “post-truth” as the word of the year.
They defined it as “relating to or denoting circumstances in which objective facts are less influential in shaping public opinion that appeals to emotion and personal belief.”
So basically, information doesn't have to be correct, as long as it plays on our emotions.
That can lead to false beliefs, which can be very dangerous.
You can Google anything you want, find an answer, and trust it without digging any deeper than the first result.
People do this a lot when they are sick, researching a political candidate, or writing research papers.
The world of chiropractic medicine is no different.
There is a lot of misinformation out there that leads people not to trust chiropractors, or to expect too much from them.
Since chiropractic care is still becoming widely accepted, many people choose to Google chiropractic care before they schedule their first visit.
Some information out there is useful, and other information is just plain false.
Below are 6 Myths about chiropractic care online that need to be debunked.
1. Once you see a chiropractor, you can never stop seeing the chiropractor.
This isn't true at all. The first thing your chiropractor will do is make a personal treatment plan based on your medical history and an initial exam.
Once all of your medical histories are collected, and a diagnosis is made, your treatment plan will be tailor-made to fit your needs.
Your initial treatment plan will recommend a number of initial visits to see if you respond to care and then scheduled re-evaluations.
Depending on you and your condition, the recommended course of care will vary.
Ultimately, the decision to continue care is yours. The treatment you received initially will not stop working if you stop visiting.
2. Chiropractors aren't "real" doctors.
This couldn't be further from the truth.
Chiropractors are heavily regulated, and are designated to use the title "doctor" just like your physician, optometrist or dentist is.
All chiropractors complete a lot of intense schooling not only to learn how to be a doctor of chiropractic but to learn how to treat you as a person.
They have extensive training in their area of expertise that allows them to provide a diagnosis.
3. You need to be referred to a chiropractor.
This is also false. In all 50 states, chiropractors are referred to as primary care doctors.
Due to their extensive training, chiropractors will perform a comprehensive assessment to help determine a diagnosis or clinical impressions.
Depending on what they find, your chiropractor will work out a treatment plan for you, or refer you to another healthcare professional if needed.
4. No evidence proves chiropractic care works.
This is probably the biggest myth of them all.
However, the chiropractic profession has invested significant resources in building a body of evidence studying the impact of chiropractic care on musculoskeletal conditions.
Because of these studies, spinal and joint manipulation has been shown to be an effective treatment for acute and chronic MSK conditions, like back pain.
Spinal manipulation therapy is often recommended as a first line intervention for back pain,
5. All chiropractors treat is back pain
Wrong again.
Chiropractors are trained in assessing, diagnosing, treating and preventing biomechanical disorders that originate in the muscular, skeletal, and nervous system.
There is also evidence that supports chiropractic management of the extremities, headaches and even TMJ pain.
Your chiropractor can also counsel you about nutrition, fitness, and ergonomics among other things that can manage or prevent a variety of health conditions.
6. Going to the chiropractor is going to hurt
This is the myth that keeps most people away from the chiropractor.
In general, this is false. Your adjustment or manipulation typically isn't going to cause any pain.
In fact, many patients report immediate pain relief.
Most people are nervous about the cracking or popping sound that comes with an adjustment, and understandably so.
However, the sound is a result of the release of gas bubbles from the joint, similar to the sound you hear when you crack your knuckles.
Don't believe everything you read
There is a wealth of knowledge online, but there is also a wealth of misinformation.
If you've been thinking of visiting the chiropractor, but ran into one of the myths above, it's time you know the truth.
After reading the truth, if you feel like you're finally ready to see a chiropractor, the doctors at Florida Spine and Injury are ready and willing to help.
Click the button below to receive your risk-free consultation.
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