Chiropractic Is...

  • a hands on form of health care focused primarily on disorders of the spine and extremities.  Chiropractors use their hands or chiropractic adjusting devices to manipulate or adjust joints that aren't moving or functioning correctly. 

  • the third largest primary health care profession, behind doctors of medicine and dentistry, and used by over 35 million Americans each year to conservatively manage pain and improve health.

  • an extremely effective means to treat low back, neck pain, and headaches, with relatively few side effects.  Chiropractic is a cost-effective and conservative method to to treat pain without relying on prescription opioid medications or surgery.  

Chiropractic Myths

  • Chiropractic is dangerous - False. 
    • Chiropractic is recognized as one of the safest drug-free, non-invasive therapies available for the treatment of neuromusculoskeletal complaints. The risks associated with chiropractic are very small.  (16).       
  • Chiropractors cause strokes - False. 
    • A large published research study examining over 15,000 cases showed there was no additional risk of carotid artery stroke after chiropractic care.  The study showed that people with neck and headache pain (symptoms associated with a stroke) visit chiropractors and primary care providers, and patients were just as likely to have a stroke after seeing a chiropractor, as after seeing a PCP (17).
  •  Chiropractors make you come back forever - False.  
    • Chiropractors provide safe and effective care for people in pain.  When patients feel better, they are released from care.  Patients commonly return to their chiropractor when hurt or injured in the future. (18).    
  • Chiropractors aren't real doctors - False.   
    • Chiropractors are not allopathic medical doctors.  Doctors of Chiropractic complete a rigorous graduate level training program similar in coursework to medical school.  Chiropractic education has more hours of study dedicated to structural anatomy, biomechanics, neurology and radiology, and fewer hours dedicated to chemistry, psychiatry, pharmacology, and OB/GYN.  
  •  Chiropractors will twist my neck and crack my back - False. 
    • All chiropractors are thoroughly trained to safely perform spinal manipulation.  A small number of chiropractors, Dr. Freitag included, prefer to use low-force non-thrust techniques to treat their patients.  Dr. Freitag uses the Activator Methods assessment protocol and the Activator V Adjusting Device to treat patients.  Click the links for more information on the Activator Method Technique and the Activator V Adjusting Device
  • I don't believe in chiropractic. 
    • Chiropractic is not voodoo or a religion.  You don't have to believe in it, for it to work.  Chiropractic is based in science and supported by research that demonstrates its safety and effectiveness.

The American Chiropractic Association states"Chiropractic is a health care profession that focuses on disorders of the musculoskeletal system and the nervous system, and the effects of these disorders on general health. Chiropractic services are used most often to treat common musculoskeletal complaints, including but not limited to back pain, neck pain, pain in the joints of the arms or legs, and headaches.

Through their whole-person, patient-centered approach, doctors of chiropractic (DCs) elevate the health and wellness of their communities by helping people of all ages live more fully and actively" (1).