CHIROPRACTIC MYTHS BUSTED: STRAIGHT TALK FROM A NYC CHIROPRACTOR

It’s not lost on me that people do not take my profession seriously. I spend a good portion of my time educating people on our years of rigorous training and having to clean up the mess of those who have left my patients with a lack of trust. It’s exhausting, but necessary. I am happy to report that people walk away from these conversations feeling at ease and with a much greater understanding of the profession and those of us who truly care about what we do. So what are the most common questions I get? I’m breaking it down below. 

WILL CRACKING MY BACK CAUSE PAIN? 

First thing’s first, no one is cracking anything. Do you think that our profession would even be a thing if we were really hurting you? I am not sure where the term “crack” came from, but I personally can’t stand it. The sound you hear during an adjustment is caused by the release of gases from the synovial fluid within the joint. Postural changes, injuries, change in muscle tone can lead to these shifts in your joints and the specified adjustments cause a pressure change and release of these gases. An easy way to think about this is what happens when you “crack” your knuckles. Same thing, just a different and larger joint. 

As far as pain, as long as you are working with a skilled Chiropractor, you are in good hands (pun intended). Work with a practitioner who is patient, addresses all of your questions and concerns and does not fear monger or force a treatment on you. Personally, I have a number of patients who do not get adjusted because guess what, it’s not necessary for you to get better! And feeling tense and fearful about an adjustment will cause more harm and pain than the adjustment itself.

WILL I HAVE TO SEE YOU FOREVER? 

I have lost count of how many patients have come in to see me and said that they were seeing their last Chiropractor 3x/week for years only to realize they haven’t gotten better. Why? Because popping into an office where you get the same 7 adjustments several times a week is not addressing the root issue of your pain. What are your movement patterns? What is your underlying health like? How is your nutrition? Sleep? Stress? Just because the adjustment feels good, doesn’t mean the root cause is being addressed. A well rounded practitioner will address all aspects of your health and lifestyle to help you reach your goals. 

I personally recommend patients continue on a once a month maintenance plan once they are feeling better and stronger. This way, they come in for a check up and can work on preventative care rather than sick and injury care. 

DO CHIROPRACTORS ONLY TREAT THE SPINE?

Nothing happens in isolation. Everything is connected. 

Yes, we are well trained in treating the spine and associated injuries and postural concerns, but only addressing the spine will not solve all of your problems. Chiropractors, like myself, are well trained in treating injuries and pain points outside of the spine, such as: headaches, jaw pain, shoulder injuries, ankle sprains, knee pain, nerve related pain… just to name a few. Does the spine play a role? Yes, because everything is connected. As I mentioned before, those exact same spinal adjustments several times a week will not alleviate your bicep tendonitis pain. Work with someone who can help you rehab your shoulder, knee, ankle, etc. while also optimizing your posture and form. 

DID YOU GET TRAINED FOR THIS?   

I have, unfortunately, had several people question whether or not I was formally trained. Here’s a real quick breakdown of my education after I got my college degree: 

Four straight years of Chiropractic Training (with no summer breaks in sight) at National University of Health Sciences, an evidence based education where we spend 248 credits learning: Human Anatomy, Neurology, Pathology, Biochemistry, Neurophysiology, Nutrition, Rehab, Adjustment Courses, Radiology, Clinical experience prior to graduation (and this is not the whole list, of course). This is followed by National Board Exams, Part I, II, III and IV plus continuing education hours required to maintain our licensure. 

 

The term Doctor is not used loosely, at least not by me. I take pride in this work because I get to help people feel their best every day and it is such an honor to know people trust you with their health and wellbeing. So if you’ve had a bad experience or have heard “horror stories”, please know that not all Chiropractors are the same. Just as any other profession, there are the ones who care and the ones who don’t. So if you’re looking to work with someone who plans to listen, build trust, work with you and help you feel your best, say hello or schedule a discovery call. I look forward to meeting you and changing your mind about Chiropractic Care! 

 

Yours In Health, 

Dr. Monisha Mallik, D.C.