There are many misunderstandings circulating about chiropractic. Believe me….we have heard them all!! We thought we would help clear up some misinformation and confusion by creating a fun myth vs. Facts Quiz.
- Chiropractors are not real doctors.
FALSE: Chiropractors must earn a Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.) degree and pass multiple national board exams prior to obtaining a state license. Doctor of Chiropractic programs typically take 4 years to complete and require at least 3 years of undergraduate college education for admission. Chiropractic students take more than 4,200 hours of classroom education which is equivalent to the number of hours for medical school (3). They receive extensive classroom education in Anatomy, Bacteriology, Research Methods, Diagnosis, Physiology, Orthopedics, Pediatrics, X-Ray and imaging among other classes. All doctoral health programs have certain initials that correspond to that profession such as a dentist who would have the initials D.M.D. after their name (Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry).
- The first chiropractic adjustment restored a man’s hearing.
TRUE: The developer of chiropractic was Daniel David Palmer (AKA, DD Palmer). DD Palmer had studied various forms of manipulation, which had been used globally for hundreds, if not thousands of years. He performed the first chiropractic adjustment in 1895 on a janitor named Harvey Lillard who had become deaf 17 years prior after he had fallen and felt something “give” in his back. DD Palmer delivered a manual adjustment to the area that Mr. Lillard felt “give” and the janitor’s hearing was restored. DD Palmer is the credited for creating what we know as chiropractic which combines art, science and philosophy around his extensive knowledge of anatomy and physiology (2.) He opened the first school of chiropractic two years later.
- Chiropractic adjustments hurt.
FALSE: Our technique is different than the traditional manual adjustments that people are generally familiar with. Dr. David Iszler is Advanced Proficiency Certified in the newest technique in chiropractic, Torque Release Technique (TRT). Torque Release Technique has been proven through research to be one of the most specific, scientific chiropractic techniques in the world (1). Using this gentle and specific neurologically based technique, he will adjust your spine and correct the misalignments without the uncomfortable twisting, popping and cracking that most people associate with chiropractic adjustments.
- Chiropractic care is primarily for back pain.
FALSE: Chiropractors also restore and improve patients’ overall health. Gray’s Anatomy states that every organ, system and function of the human body is under direct control of the nervous system. Your brain controls everything in your body. It sends signals to every part of your body. These signals travel down from the brain, through the brainstem and spinal cord, then out through the peripheral nerves to every part of your body. Some of these nerves go back up to your head. Sometimes the bones of your spine, which are designed to protect these delicate nerve structures, can become misaligned and get stuck. This is known as a subluxation. A subluxation can pinch, stretch, or otherwise irritate the peripheral nerves as well as potentially causing abnormal tension on your brainstem and spinal cord. This, in turn, causes abnormal function of the nerves in these structures and may lead to a wide variety of neurological symptoms and pain. Ensuring the nervous system is functioning properly can help improve your immune system, acid reflux, vertigo, ADHD, chronic ear infections, headaches and migraines, etc.
- All 32 National Football League Teams have a Team Chiropractor.
TRUE: Chiropractors are a crucial part of each team’s “medical team” Chiropractors can help athletes by treating injuries, assist with recovery, boost performance, improve their range of motion and maintain their nervous system and overall wellness. Athletes not only want help to treat their injuries, they are also focused on reaching their peak physical conditioning. In fact, NFL Hall of Famer, Jerry Rice is a spokesman for the Foundation of Chiropractic Progress, which is a not-for-profit organization that is in dedication to helping educate the public about the many benefits of chiropractic care (4). Rice credits chiropractic for helping achieve longevity and high performance.
- https://torquerelease.com/research-articles/
- https://www.acatoday.org/About/History-of-Chiropractic
- https://www.cleveland.edu/blog-post/~post/the-doctor-of-chiropractic-degree-5-frequently-asked-questions-faq-20180518/#:~:text=to%20medical%20school%3F-,A.,of%20hours%20for%20medical%20school.
- https://www.circleofdocs.com/here-is-why-nfl-players-love-the-benefits-of-chiropractic-care/
