Debunking Chiropractic Care

Everything you need to know before considering seeing a chiropractor.

YouTube.com

Source: Toa Heftiba

By: Jeremy Huang, Journalist

You’ve seen it all over social media: chiropractic videos with obviously overlaid, fake, cracking sounds. But, are these chiropractors legitimate?

According to numerous studies and client testimonials, chiropractic can actually relieve pain and treat various issues stemming from the spine. Whether or not this is due to the placebo effect has been long debated over, but the general consensus is that it is a pseudoscience. There is not enough long-term research to confidently say chiropractic is really effective, and many consider it to be unsafe. To debunk this conception, the Mayo Clinic claims, “chiropractic adjustment is safe when it’s performed by someone trained and licensed to deliver chiropractic care. Serious complications associated with chiropractic adjustment are overall rare, but may include: A herniated disk or a worsening of an existing disk herniation.” What this means is that although injuries are rare, licensed chiropractors are trustworthy. So, should you go to a chiropractor to relieve spinal pain? Well, you should go at your own risk. The important things to know are:

  • Some insurance companies do not have coverage for chiropractic care
  • The cost of treatment can be quite high
  • Spinal and joint manipulation can go wrong and may cause unwanted fractures and injuries

While these disadvantages may seem like enough to steer you away from chiropractors, it is also important to know the benefits (according to San Clemente Chiropractic):

  • Better range of movement and thus also increases one’s flexibility.
  • Stronger immune system for protection against common illnesses such as cough and cold.
  • Faster recovery from injury and makes the body more resilient to injuries that might occur.
  • The procedure is non-invasive, natural, non-surgical, and no prescription drugs are involved.
  • It is a very effective reliever of pain. Recommended for those people who are always in constant pain e.g. post-surgery patients.
  • The levels of lactic acid are significantly decreased.
    Better circulation of oxygen in the body, so it pumps more nutrients to the cells and tissues.
  • A chiropractor can reduce the tension and stiffness in the treated areas.
  • Increased energy and better self-esteem.
  • It can treat digestive problems.

While these claims may be questionable, the fact of the matter is that chiropractic can help alleviate spinal pain when treated by licensed professionals. Seeing a chiropractor can be beneficial, but you should always take precautions before choosing one. Chiropractic care is largely accepted as a complementary treatment for issues like neck and back pain. Most importantly, more research must be conducted for a definitive answer.

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