Is Chiropractic Safe?

It’s estimated that some 40 million people visit chiropractors each year. While many people will tell you they’re highly satisfied with the health care they receive at their chiropractic appointments, some still might wonder, “But is it safe?”

At issue are popping sounds that can occur during visits. Some might worry that their chiropractor is cracking their bones and/or doing internal harm. Chiropractors do apply quick thrusts to your joints. When that happens, the popping sound is actually the audible release of gas from your spinal joints– it’s not bones cracking! While that sound might be a surprise, patients typically find the process gives them much needed relief.

Have you heard the idea that chiropractors “cause strokes?” Studies have been done proving that the association between a stroke and a chiropractic visit is no higher than visiting a general physician. In other words, you have as much likelihood of getting a stroke from a chiropractic visit as you do of being struck by lightning. The idea that chiropractors cause strokes is just not true.

Some worry that chiropractors aren’t safe because “they ended up doing this because they couldn’t get into medical school.” Did you know that both physicians and chiropractors train as primary care physicians? They start out with similar coursework. Later on, though, chiropractors focus on things like adjusting techniques and physiology. Furthermore, physicians typically end up giving patients drugs and/or surgery, whereas chiropractors go with the body’s natural healing ability. So, if you’re the kind of person who wants to avoid taking drugs and having a surgery, why not choose the more natural (and seemingly safer) approach a chiropractor takes?

If the source of your pain is related to soft tissues, muscles, tendons and/or ligaments, your best bet is chiropractic care. If and when the chiropractor discovers your problem might be deeper, such as a tumor, infection or disease, they’ll refer you to a medical doctor for treatment using conventional medicine and/or surgery. Chiropractors are all about natural healing when possible– but if other means are necessary, they’re going to refer you to someone else as needed.

When you’re looking for health care that puts an emphasis on prevention and treatments helping the body to heal itself, then chiropractic care makes sense as a safe and logical choice. Lakewoods Chiropractic of Forest Lake, MN, can be reached at 651-464-0800. Why not give chiropractic care a try?