Chiropractic care can provide significant benefits to many people throughout Brookfield, Waukesha and the greater Milwaukee area. Sadly, there are pervasive myths about chiropractors that have led to some people forgoing these benefits. You deserve to know the truth about chiropractic care so that you can properly assess all of your available medical options before going forward with any form of treatment. The following is a list of some of the most common myths about a chiropractor, as well as information about how chiropractic care might benefit you.

Myth #1: Chiropractic Care Can Be Dangerous

The reality: The treatment is no more dangerous than is traditional medical care. Of course, all medical care comes with some risks. However, the American Chiropractic Association (ACA) has conducted extensive research of the benefits and risks of chiropractic treatment. The results are clear: Chiropractic care is not dangerous. Instead, it can provide real medical benefits to a large number of people.

Myth #2: Treatment is Painful

The reality: The vast majority of chiropractic patients do not report feeling pain during or after their treatment. Conversely, most patients come into the chiropractor reporting pain, sometimes very severe pain. In many cases, patients report that their chiropractic adjustments have dramatically improved their condition.

Myth #3: Chiropractors are Not Medical Professionals

The reality: Chiropractors receive extensive professional training. Just like doctors, chiropractors must follow the rigorous undergraduate pre-med requirements. Then, prospective chiropractors must attend a certified chiropractic school for four years. Upon successful completion, graduates receive a Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C) degree. Not only is this extensive education required, but chiropractors must also pass licensing exams and comply with continuing education requirements.

More information on differences and similarities between DC and MD education can be found here.

The Top Four Ways Choosing a Chiropractor Could Benefit You

1. Pain Relief

One of the biggest benefits of chiropractic treatment is pain relief. Chiropractors can help with a wide variety of different types of pain. Patients report feeling relief from neck pain, joint problems, digestive pain and even headache-related pain. Of course, the patients with back pain report the biggest benefits. In a recent study published in the Spine Journal, randomized trials found that 73 percent of patients experienced significant back pain relief after visiting a chiropractor.

2. Increased Range of Motion

Chiropractic adjustments can also help to increase your range of motion. If you are feeling stiffness in your neck or back, it may not be painful, but it may severely limit your ability to move. There is no doubt that a decreased range of motion has an adverse impact on your day-to-day life enjoyment. Chiropractic care can help.

3. Better Sleep

A side benefit of less pain and an increased range of motion is that you may find that you sleep better. In many cases, poor sleep quality is caused by an underlying stressor. Often, chronic pain is the culprit. Not only is pain relief a huge benefit by itself, but it could dramatically increase the quality of your sleep. Better sleep equals a higher quality of life.

4. Save Money on Your Medical Costs

Finally, choosing a chiropractor can also save you money. This is because chiropractic care has been found to be less expensive than alternative forms of treatment. The insurance industry giant Blue Cross Blue Shield conducted one of the largest ever studies on this issue and found that chiropractic care is, on average, 20 percent less expensive than more traditional forms of treatment.