5 Interesting Facts About Chiropractic Care
For the past 126 years, modern chiropractic care has existed in the U.S. Over the years, chiropractic care has become an increasingly popular alternative to the sick care model that only addresses symptoms with drugs and invasive procedures. Instead, chiropractors provide a holistic approach that identifies and treats the root cause of patients’ pain, discomfort, and illnesses, so patients can achieve sustainable health and wellness. Despite the growing popularity, misinformation still exists about chiropractic care. Read on to learn some interesting facts you may not know about chiropractic care.
1. Chiropractic Care is Safe For People of All Ages
Even though most patients are adults, chiropractic care is safe for people of all ages, from newborns and school-age children to adults and seniors. Chiropractic care is gentle and effective, making it safe for all ages. Newborns can benefit from adjustments specifically designed to alleviate aches and pains they experience post-birth. Additionally, seniors can benefit from adjustments designed to increase range of motion and help prevent injuries, such as slips and falls.
2. Chiropractors Are Doctors
Some people may be surprised to know that chiropractors are indeed doctors. Doctors of Chiropractic (DCs) are licensed doctors that must undergo a minimum of 4,200 hours of training. This training includes class time, labs, and clinical internships that require clinical residency, passing board exams, and obtaining state licenses before they can legally practice on patients in their state.
One key difference between medical and chiropractic doctors is that the former receives pharmaceutical and surgery training, while the latter receives nutritional training and other special training, such as pediatrics and neurology.
3. Chiropractic Adjustments Are Not Painful
When you receive your first adjustment, it’s normal to feel a bit nervous. After all, this is all new to you and you’re not sure what to expect. If you watch videos or read articles online, the idea of a chiropractor adjusting or manipulating your spine sounds a bit scary and odd. However, chiropractors are licensed doctors that receive training and are experts at performing gentle, effective adjustments.
If you hear a sound similar to cracking your knuckles, don’t fear! This is just gas releasing from your joint capsules when there is space between two adjacent joints, known as joint cavitation. Indeed, it’s helpful to remember that these adjustments are not painful. Your chiropractic office will discuss all the necessary information with you and answer all of your questions during your appointment. When you are informed, your fear will melt away, so you can concentrate on benefiting from this science-based holistic health and wellness care.
4. Chiropractic Care Takes Time
Despite what some think, chiropractic care is not magic and doesn’t cure your body from one chiropractic adjustment. Instead, chiropractic care helps adjust your body, so it can start healing itself as it was intended to do. When you feel pain, your body is telling you that something is wrong. If you are patient and regularly attend your chiropractic sessions, you will most likely start to notice significant improvements to your health and wellness. The saying “All good things take time” is a great way to look at chiropractic care.
5. Chiropractors Can Order Diagnostic Imaging and Blood Work
As doctors, it can be expected that chiropractors can order for patients to get X-rays or MRI scans. However, did you know that chiropractors can also order requests for blood and saliva tests too? Depending on the patient, chiropractors may use these tests to evaluate a patient’s current nutritional status. These tests also help doctors understand their patient’s stress response, gut functions, and stress hormones. Indeed, this key information combined with chiropractic adjustments allow doctors to provide a customized health and wellness plan for each patient. If supplements are needed, these tests also help recommend the right supplements for each patient.
We hope you enjoyed this week’s article and learned a bit more about chiropractic care. As you can see, this holistic care offers a whole body approach to health, wellness, and healing. By going deeper to the route cause of pain and illness, our Tulsa, OK chiropractors can set you up for lasting health from the inside out. Contact Inside Out Chiropractic today to learn how we can help you take control of your health through neurologically-based chiropractic care.
