5 Myths About Chiropractic Care in Kansas City

Have you ever had an ache, pain, injury or any form of health concern that just does not seem to want to go away? Have you tried everything without results? If this is you, you may be wondering about what chiropractic care can do for your aches and pains. Maybe you have concerns about chiropractic care based on something a friend may have said about their chiropractic experience that was negative. Maybe you are worried that it will cost too much. Let’s take a look at some of the most common myths about chiropractic care in Kansas City. This way you can form your own opinions and be better informed about whether or not chiropractic care is for you.

Myth 1: If you visit a chiropractor once, you will be a chiropractic patient for life.

This is one of those myths about chiropractic care in Kansas City that is very widespread. The truth is a majority of individuals will feel better than ever just shortly after beginning treatment with a chiropractic. Many new chiropractic patients experience increased mobility, more strength and less pain shortly after beginning care and would like to remain that way.

There are a number of conditions that will resolve with just a few chiropractic visits. However, there are just as many conditions that take longer to treat and there are even problems that will never go away. For problems that are not likely to go away completely, ongoing chiropractic care can help to manage pain and keep your body functional.

Let’s face it, life can take a toll on your body. Exercise, playing with your kids, housework and just day-to-day living can be very rough on the body. This is why regular chiropractic can serve as an effective maintenance program for your overall health. The frequency of treatments recommended by your chiropractor will largely depend on your lifestyle and any health conditions you may have. Yes, much like the dentist, you can live without going to the chiropractor. However, regular checkups are beneficial in catching problems early and maintaining your health. Lifelong care is never a requirement when it comes to chiropractic care.

Myth 2: Having your neck “cracked” is dangerous.

This is another one of those myths about chiropractic care in Kansas City that is extremely common. Some people have a fear of getting their neck adjusted based on what the media makes neck adjustments out to be — dangerous and scary. The truth is your neck is a very resilient part of your body. In addition, chiropractors just aren’t random individuals off the street who are cracking your neck. Chiropractors are highly trained individuals that know how to adjust the neck in a safe and effective manner. Many studies have been conducted that prove that chiropractic adjustments of the neck (and other areas of the body) are safe and effective.

Myth 3: You need a referral to see a chiropractor.

This may be one of those myths about chiropractic care in Kansas City that prevents you from seeing one because you don’t want to deal with having to get a referral from your regular doctor. Chiropractors are first-line health providers and are trained to detect and treat a number of health conditions. As a result, you do not need a referral. Anyone can pick up the phone and schedule an appointment with a chiropractor. You can schedule a consultation and exam to get answer about any health concerns you may be having. A chiropractor will explain their findings and make treatment recommendations. In some cases, a chiropractor may even refer you to a specialist if needed.

Myth 4: Chiropractors claim to cure a number of diseases and serious health concerns.

This is one of those myths about chiropractic care in Kansas City that is far from true. Chiropractors place an emphasis on your body’s ability to health and regulate itself. It is a chiropractor’s job to correct restrictions and misalignments of the spine as well as to many other joints in the body. Chiropractors make sure these misalignments do not interfere with the nerves and your body’s ability to heal itself. Research has found that chiropractic patients tend to see improvements in their overall health even when it comes to seemingly unrelated health conditions and diseases.

Myth 5: Chiropractic care is not covered by my health insurance.

This is one of those myths about chiropractic care in Kansas City that may or may not hold true for you. A vast majority of insurance companies do offer chiropractic benefits under many of their plans. However, you do not need to have insurance coverage to make an appointment with a chiropractor. Keep in mind that insurance is designed to cover expensive medical costs, not as a health and wellness plan. An insurance company likely doesn’t cover your gym membership or supplements, think of chiropractic care in this manner — as a preventative measure. Some insurance companies will only allow you to seek chiropractic treatment in the event of an injury.

With so many different insurance plans out there, it is best to check with your insurance company regarding your chiropractic benefits. If you are not using insurance, most chiropractic offices will work with you and development a payment plan that works for you.

5 Myths About Chiropractic Care in Kansas City

What Does Your MD think about Your Chiropractor?

Have you ever felt torn between your chiropractor and your MD? Have you ever felt like you were cheating on your MD with your chiropractor or vice versa? If so, you are not alone. In fact, many individuals wonder if they should even tell their medical doctor about their chiropractor. With medical doctors having varying views on the field of chiropractic care, it is hard to answer the question: what does your MD think about your chiropractor?

During the mid 1980’s, a political event caused a change regarding the medical community’s obvious disrespect for the field of chiropractic care. During this time frame, the American Medical Association or the AMA was sued for antitrust violations and the chiropractors won the case.

What did this mean for chiropractors? There would be no more anti-chiropractic slander! No billboard, magazine article, television advertisement or radio advertisement would mock the chiropractic industry. If anti-chiropractic slander seems shocking to you, how about AMA laws prohibiting medical doctors from publicly socializing with chiropractors? In the mid-1980s, this was the case. In today’s world, this is likely to seem very shocking. You are very likely to come across chiropractic-MD pairs that are friends, family members and even husband and wife.

Back to the question: what does your MD think about your chiropractor? In 1994, when the United States and the United Kingdom almost simultaneously published official guidelines for the treatment of acute lower back pain, both documents recommended spinal manipulation as the first choice of treatment for patients suffering from acute lower back pain. If you’ve ever been to a chiropractor before, you are likely very aware that spinal manipulation is the primary form of chiropractic treatment.

This was the first time ever that a non-chiropractic group of individuals had recommended chiropractic treatment based on research. The research is overwhelming. Spinal manipulation is seen as a safe, effective and a cost-efficient form of care when compared to all over options patients can choose from when it comes to treating acute lower back pain. This report was not the end of recommending spinal manipulation in the treatment of chronic lower back pain. The research continued to pour in and the evidence is overwhelming when it comes to choosing spinal manipulation as the preferred treatment method for acute lower back pain.

According to these published guidelines, all patients who suffer from acute and chronic lower back pain should be paying a visit to their chiropractor first. However if everyone followed these guidelines, there would be a major shortage of chiropractors. Additionally, chiropractic care would be one of the most sought after professions.

While chiropractic care is becoming increasingly more popular and accepted by the medical field, many MDs do not have the knowledge about chiropractic care to recommend to inquiring patients.

What is being done about the lack of education in the medical world about chiropractic care?

• Many chiropractic offices go out of their way to educate medical doctors in their surrounding communities about the benefits of chiropractic care.


• Some medical schools are now offering “Alternative Medicine” courses in the curriculum of undergraduate MD programs as well as rotations in alternative medicine during post-graduate work.

Education is one of the best tools as more and more medical doctors are seeking chiropractors to work with when it comes to treating patients with chronic back and neck pain as well as headaches.

Again, looking at the question: what does your MD think about your chiropractor? The answer today is going to be far different from the answer most MDs would have given you in the mid-1980s. In today’s world, the MD/DC relationship continues to grow and improve. This is evident by the inclusion of chiropractic care in hospital program, on military bases and in VA hospitals and based on the fact that routine chiropractic care is covered by a vast majority of health insurance companies.

If you are considering chiropractic care or are already an active user of chiropractic care, your MD just may support it!

 

What Does Your MD think about Your Chiropractor?