If you are getting ready for your first appointment with Dr. Nathen Horst, you may have already heard a number of stories about chiropractic care. Maybe you read a story online, or saw a report on the television. Maybe friends or family members shared their experiences or forwarded stories they had heard or seen about chiropractic. Regardless of how those stories reached you, it can be difficult to sift through all of that input to determine which stories are true and which are myths. Below, Dr. Horst has debunked some of the more common myths that you may have heard about chiropractic care.

Chiropractic Adjustments Can Cause Strokes

One of the more common and alarming myths that has recently cropped up online and in television news stories is that chiropractic adjustments, particularly of the neck, can cause strokes. The claim is that such adjustments can damage the carotid artery, which leads from the brain to the neck, and then down to the spinal cord. Although studies have found cases in which patients with certain types of neck pain or headaches indeed did suffer strokes following chiropractic adjustments to the neck, the adjustments were not the direct cause of the stroke. Instead, they likely already had suffered a very rare type of stroke, known as a vertebrobasilar artery stroke, which actually caused the pain that made them seek out chiropractic care in the first place.

Chiropractic Only Treats the Spine

Another common myth about chiropractic is that it is only focused on the spine, so is only useful if you have back pain. Although it is true that the basis for chiropractic care originated from the relationship between the spinal vertebrae and the nerves leading in and out of the spinal column within, modern chiropractic care has expanded far beyond that. Today, chiropractic care is concerned with the entire musculoskeletal system of the body, including all the joints and surrounding tendons and ligaments.

Chiropractic Care Only Works if You Hear the Cracking Sound

Most people associate chiropractic care with what they often refer to as “cracking the back.” In fact, nothing is actually cracked when you hear that noise. In some cases, that sound is caused by bones in the joint moving against each other if the cartilage between the two has been worn down, as is the case in osteoarthritis. In other cases, it occurs as a result of a build up of gasses within the synovial fluid that acts as a lubricant in the space between the joints. These gasses can form a bubble. When that bubble builds up enough pressure to pop, that distinctive cracking sound is the result.

You Must Go See a Chiropractor Every Week

Some people think that, unlike when seeing an orthopedist, they will end up having to come back for chiropractic adjustments again and again. This may end up feeling like a waste of time and money. While it is true that Dr. Horst will encourage patients come back for maintenance adjustments to keep their joints in proper alignment, this will not mean weekly visits. Over time, you may find that a visit once a month will be all you need. You may also find that if you follow some simple stretching exercises on a daily basis, you can manage quite well on your own between monthly visits.

Numerous studies have shown that chiropractic care is safe and effective for treating a variety of physical issues with the musculoskeletal system. Dr. Horst is more than happy to listen to your questions and concerns about chiropractic care to help put your mind at ease about this treatment technique.