Blog - Damron Chiropractic & Wellness

Myth #7: Chiropractors Only Treat Back Pain

April 21, 2017 By Pam Rezai 1 Comment

It’s natural to associate seeing a chiropractor when experiencing back pain. This medical professional works with the spine, or back. Yet, what most people don’t realize is that back pain is only one of many ailments and conditions that a chiropractor can treat.

Think of a chiropractor as you would your primary care doctor or pediatrician. You don’t see either just for the flu or seasonal allergies. You visit these two doctors for various reasons. The same is true for a chiropractor. Granted the spine, or back, connects the body. So, it makes sense to only think of back pain when seeing a chiropractor. But, because the spine connects the body, a chiropractor treats the entire musculoskeletal system.

If we look at the Grey’s Anatomy “Chart of Body & Anatomy” we can see that the spine is comprised of vertebrae. Each vertebrae connects nerves to specific parts of the body. For example, vertebrae 1C in the cervical spine contains the nerves connected to the head, brain, middle and inner ear, and the sympathetic nervous system. Irritated nerves in 1C can create symptoms such as headaches, insomnia, migraines, and high blood pressure. Relieving that irritation with chiropractic adjustments alleviates the symptoms. This is one of the biggest differences between how a chiropractor treats an ailment and how a medical doctor treats one.

Traditional medical doctors typically treat the symptoms. In other words, if are suffering migraines, you may only receive a prescription for pain relief medicine. The symptom may be addressed, but not the cause of it. With chiropractic care, the cause is determined and addressed, not just the symptoms. And not with the use of prescription medications either. The goal is to eliminate the cause of them problem, not just mask the symptoms.

Chiropractors treat the entire body, not just back pain. Think of it this way, your spine is the central piece that connects your entire body. So, whether you have pain in your shoulder, hip, neck, or back, a chiropractor can provide you the care you need.

Myth #6: Chiropractic Adjustments Hurt

April 18, 2017 By Pam Rezai Leave a Comment

Myth #6: Chiropractic Adjustments Hurt.

Remember when you were young and seeing a particular food for the first time. Or, what about your child, the first time you introduced them to a new vegetable. Any new food, especially one that does not present itself well on a plate or smell particularly appetizing, can be a big turn-off. Likewise, trying something new like parasailing, or snorkeling, or even zip-lining can be daunting. We may even be afraid. However, our fears and uncertainty should never be a deciding factor in whether or not we try something for the first time.

It may come as no surprise that many misconceptions exist about what a chiropractor does. Perhaps the most common one is that chiropractic adjustments hurt. The movements the chiropractor make are quick and somewhat forceful. The doctor is also in very close proximity to the patient, too. Much of this is so foreign to people that they think it must hurt, otherwise why aren’t more people doing it?

If you ask anyone who has had an adjustment done, they will tell you that it does not hurt. In fact, what they will tell you that once they get up from the table they feel great. It’s like their body was similar to a pressure cooker and they didn’t know how much pressure until they were adjusted. The relief is felt throughout the body, from the joints, to the muscles, and tendons.

One other thing that may startle new converts to chiropractic care is the popping sound one might hear during an adjustment. This popping sound is simply the joint gasses in the joint fluid releasing. It isn’t harmful. It isn’t painful. Actually, it is just like cracking your knuckles. If it was painful, kids wouldn’t do it so much, would they?

Myth #5: Once you start seeing a chiropractor you can never stop

April 13, 2017 By Pam Rezai Leave a Comment

Myth #5: Once you start seeing a chiropractor you can never stop.

This is the most interesting of all the myths. Perhaps because it uses the word never, like it’s some sort of consequence for choosing to see a chiropractor. It is incredibly easy to create a distorted viewpoint if you do not have all the facts. History has shown us that time and again, from thinking the world is flat to the moon being made of cheese. Likewise, the chiropractic healthcare profession has suffered from the same distortion at the hands of pervasive misinformation.

Yes, there are certain things in life you can never stop:

breathing
eating
drinking water
sleeping
paying taxes

However, chiropractic care is definitely not one of them, because here are the facts:

Many people choose to seek treatment from a chiropractor because they are in pain. Once the source of the pain is corrected, further adjustments can go one of two ways – as needed or stopping. The ultimate goal is educating the patient on how to listen to their body. By listening, they will know if their body is out of alignment and needs adjusting.
Wellness care is an option that some individuals choose from a chiropractor, rather than waiting for a problem to arise. As a result, this means periodic visits to keep their body in alignment. This is considered preventative healthcare. Still, the patient dictates when they seek out care, because it could be once a month or once a week.
A chiropractor is a person’s partner on their journey to wellness. Just as a dentist or an optometrist is.
Sometimes is takes time to correct a problem for a patient, due to the length of time they have been suffering from the ailment. This is normal. It is similar to how braces slowly move teeth. A person can wear braces for up to 2 years to get that perfect smile.

The truth is that seeing a chiropractor does not keep you going forever. Seems like chiropractic care is one of the best kept secrets out there today.

Myth #4: A Chiropractor Is Not a Real Doctor

April 11, 2017 By Pam Rezai Leave a Comment

Myth #4: A Chiropractor is not a real doctor.

If you look up the word ‘doctor‘ you will find the following definitions:

“a person skilled or specializing in healing arts” (Merriam-Webster)

“a person licensed to practice medicine” (Dictionary.com)

Most people equate the word ‘doctor‘ with the person you see when you are injured or sick. However, this is not entirely true. What limits our understanding of a doctor is our experiences and awareness. It’s like being born and raised in a particular part of the country and never being exposed to the rest of the world. Our understanding is limited by our experiences. The fact that we have not been exposed to the rest of the world does not mean it doesn’t exist, or that there aren’t better places to live.

The modern-day medical field is filled with highly reputable and qualified physicians. However, it is also heavily driven by the pharmaceutical industry. We have been conditioned through advertising to look for solutions to our ailments with pharmaceuticals. In fact, as of 2015, direct-to-consumer advertising jumped 19% from the previous year to $5.4 billion (Kantar Media). This industry only makes money if we are sick.

Doctors of Chiropractic are fundamentally different from what many would consider “regular doctors” largely because of their approach to wellness. Yet, the schooling for each is just as intense. Plus, they both have written and oral state boards to pass at the state and national levels. Chiropractors do not rely on prescription medications to treat their patients. Rather, wellness is achieved holistically where the root cause of pain is found and corrected.

Ironically, the Latin root for ‘doctor‘ is actually ‘teacher.’ When a person chooses the field of chiropractic as their profession, they are making a decision to pursue a career that combats the pharma industry. A chiropractor is most certainly a real doctor, just as a medical doctor is. Yet what makes them different from each other is their approach to health and wellness. At the end of the day, we need to decide how we are going to treat our body. We can constantly be on the defensive, only reacting when there is a problem. Or, we can be proactive with our health. Allowing our body to do what it does best, heal. That is the essence of chiropractic care.

Myth #3: Chiropractic Care Is Only for Adults

April 7, 2017 By Pam Rezai Leave a Comment

Myth #3: Chiropractic care is only for adults.

In many fields of care there exists a separation between adult and children. Whether it is dental care, hospital care, general medical care, or even skin care. There is nothing wrong with the approach. For example, sometimes a dentist just doesn’t want to deal with a squirming child as a patient. Or perhaps a doctor prefers to work with children rather than adults. And while the approach to an adult and a child are different, fundamentally, the needs are the same. Both have teeth, a body, and skin.

A chiropractor should not be synonymous with adult care. Rather, a chiropractor should be synonymous with family care. That’s right. Family care. From a pregnant mother, to a newborn, toddler, teenager, adult, and senior citizen. And while the techniques might be slightly different depending on the age of the patient, the end goal is always the same – optimal spinal health.

Since chiropractors have the ability to effectively work with both the young and old, we should address the benefits for each age group. First of all, let us begin with the benefits of chiropractic care to the pregnant woman:

providing pain relief to the back, neck and joints;
helping to control symptoms of nausea;
and potentially reducing the time of labor and delivery.

For the newborn and infant, the benefits of chiropractic care include:

better sleep patterns,
healthy brain development,
and a strengthened immune system.

Toddlers can benefit with:

behavioral improvements,
proactive treatment for acute trauma from falls and accidental injuries,
and with correcting bed-wetting.

When the child becomes a teenager, regular chiropractic visits can help with:

recovery from a sports injury,
reversing text neck,
and improving poor posture.

While as an adult, maintaining good health is the ideal. Adjustments assist with this by:

reducing headaches,
stimulating the immune system,
and lowering stress.

Finally, for our senior years, visits to the chiropractor are beneficial for the following reasons:

to improve mobility,
to provide better balance and coordination,
and help with pain relief.

In conclusion, chiropractic care is truly for everyone. And, yet, while every patient has specific needs, the treatment given is modified to match them. This is the perfect partnership for an individual to live a healthy life.

Seems like this is one field that does not need to separate the care between an adult and child. As a result, you get all the care you need for your entire family under one roof.

Myth #2: Chiropractic adjustments are dangerous

April 4, 2017 By Pam Rezai Leave a Comment

Myth #2: Chiropractic adjustments are dangerous.

Danger lurks around every corner. Simply walking out the door in the morning invites the risk of danger. While we cannot escape it, we can minimize our risk of injury through proper training, awareness, plus other control measures. Fire, driving, and alcohol are dangerous; however, with control and knowledge we can make these things safer. For example, fire is a danger, but we can use things like a fire pit to control the flames. Driving a car can be dangerous. But we need to earn a license first to drive. Alcohol is dangerous, but using moderation and a designated driver minimizes that danger.

On the surface, we can say that many things are dangerous. But usually because they are unfamiliar to us. Chiropractic care is one of those things. Many people believe that these doctors only “crack” backs. At face value, that sounds dangerous, yet this misconception couldn’t be further from the truth.

The reality is that chiropractic adjustments are extremely safe. In fact, RAND Corporation, a nonprofit research organization in the U.S. developed to keep the world safe and healthy, conducted a study to determine the safety of these adjustments. The study found that the risk of serious complications is only one in a million. This risk is smaller than the odds of you being struck by lightning, which coincidentally is 1 in 700,000.

Misunderstanding breeds falsehoods. History tells us that. It is no different for the field of chiropractic. The truth is that chiropractic treatment is one of the safest, drug-free, and non-invasive therapies available for neuromusculoskeletal system (nerves, muscles, bones). It is also more cost-effective, too. Why? Because the root cause is identified and corrected, rather than just addressing the symptoms.

Riding a bike, driving a car, playing a sport, eating fast food are all dangerous, yet, we still do it. We assume the risk, thinking that nothing will happen to us. The risk of suffering from a complication with a chiropractic adjustment is small compared to the risk of being injured while driving or even on the job. Yet we do them every day.
It’s time to correct the myth that chiropractic adjustments are dangerous. The people who believe this are missing out on a healthcare option that can improve their quality of life and eliminate pain, once and for all.

Knowledge has the power to transform the world and you. Seek to debunk myths.

Myth #1: Seeing a Chiropractor is Expensive

March 30, 2017 By Pam Rezai Leave a Comment

Expensive is a relative term. What is considered expensive for one person may not be for another. It may have nothing to do cost, but rather value. Take cars, for example. Many people chose to purchase a Lexus or a Mercedes because of the perceived quality and prestige behind the brand. These people feel that the expense involved is far worth it. The same can be said about appliances, clothing, furniture, vacations, and education.

Saying something is expensive can also be used as an excuse, too. Where is the line of demarcation dividing what is expensive and what is not for a person? Perhaps the line moves depending on what the item is. As for chiropractic care, saying that it is expensive is highly subjective. First, is there a price tag you would put on good health? What about a price tag to get that good health back? The amount of money spent on medications for bad health is astounding. In fact, in the U.S. alone the pharmaceutical industry is valued at over 413 billion dollars (2014). Many would say that this is not health care, but disease care.

Chiropractic care should be viewed under the same light as dental care – with the goal being preventative care. You visit the dentist twice a year to prevent getting a cavity. If you choose to not have regular check ups, what happens to your oral health? It begins to decline, resulting in cavities and gum disease, not to mention tooth decay. Later in life, these same people need to invest in crowns, caps, and dentures. All expensive procedures, which could have been prevented with regular dental visits.

The reality is that chiropractic care is not any more expensive than other doctor care. Most insurance allow for chiropractic care, even if it’s not 100% coverage. But the most important fact with chiropractic care is the end goal. Ultimately, a chiropractor’s goal is to effectively address the symptoms you are experiencing by correcting the root cause. This process brings you out of pain and discomfort and into wellness and improved health going forward. Similar to regular dental visits. Being proactive with your health through chiropractic care is the most cost effective health care you can find.

How is cost effective, proactive, and wellness equated to expensive? It all boils down to perspective.

Top Chiropractic Myths Debunked

March 28, 2017 By Pam Rezai Leave a Comment

Chiropractic myths permeate our society. In fact, this is the primary reason why a majority of adults have not seen a chiropractor. Unfortunately, the facts do not support these objections. Rather than search for the truth, many choose to follow a path created by big business because seeing is believing. That is not to say that what is advertised does not work. It’s quite the opposite actually. However, just because something works does that also mean it is the best option? Or the only option for that matter?

Advertising creates the visibility a business wants to generate revenue. Why do you think we eagerly await those Super Bowl ads every year? But, did you know that those commercials cost $5 million in 2017? What type of business can afford this huge investment? The question we need to ask ourselves is this, does a high level of visibility automatically give a business credibility? The answer should be no. Otherwise, why support small, local businesses.

Chiropractic, as a business, does not have the budget to advertise at the level that Wendy’s, Coca Cola, KFC, and Mars did this year. But does this level of visibility mean these products are good for our health? One might argue that they have contributed to our society’s obesity epidemic.

We must not settle for what information is pushed at us either from television, print, radio, or online. That information was paid to be put in front of us. Rather than accept things at face value, we should choose to advocate for ourselves. Meaning, we should dig deeper and learn what can about ALL options that are available to us. Then make an informed decision about what is BEST for us. Chiropractic care falls in this category, which is why several myths exist that cause people to miss out on this highly effective and beneficial health care.

Below are the 8 top chiropractic myths that exist today:

Seeing a chiropractor is expensive.
Chiropractic adjustments are dangerous.
Chiropractic care is only for adults.
Chiropractors are not real doctors.
Once you start seeing a chiropractor you can never stop.
Chiropractic adjustments hurt.
Chiropractors only treat back pain.
Chiropractic care doesn’t work.

The next 8 blog posts will focus on one myth at a time, with the purpose of proving them to be incorrect.

Yes, You Can Lose Weight!

March 23, 2017 By Pam Rezai Leave a Comment

There are many weight loss shows on television today. It seems to be the latest trend in reality tv, watching others lose weight. Many of the participants are not just overweight, but obese, with highlight the big reveal at the end. A life has been transformed and their face is simply beaming with joy. One show in particular allows the participant to “gift” the same program they just completed to someone else. Someone who needs a transformation as well. While watching a recent episode of this show, I witnessed this “gifting.” The woman who transformed her life with weight loss, gave her best friend the opportunity to do the same. She wanted her best friend to feel as good as she does. What a priceless gift!

The sense of accomplishment among people who lose a tremendous amount of weight is astounding. How could it not be considering how much time and effort it took? It wasn’t a quick fix. There wasn’t a magic pill or product that made it happen. It all boiled down to one thing, and one thing only. The person. Simply wanting something doesn’t make it a reality. A student can say they want straight A’s, but put zero work into making it happen. This lack of hard work can have a domino effect if it continues. For example, consistent poor grades will not get you into the better colleges, not to mention a better job, too.

It’s like that old saying, “you reap what you sow.”

Losing weight can be looked at in the same way as poor grades. Simply wanting to lose weight doesn’t make it happen. Consistently doing nothing about being overweight or obese has a domino effect, too, on your health, your lifestyle, and your sense of self. We cannot expect to lose weight if we continue to plant poorly with bad food choices and a sedentary lifestyle.

What to Expect With Extra Weight

March 21, 2017 By Pam Rezai Leave a Comment

One of the most popular books for soon-to-be parents is the book What to Expect When You Are Expecting. It gives a month to month description of what to expect throughout a woman’s pregnancy. Offering tips, developmental stages of the baby, and answers to common questions and concerns. A mother’s overall health can help the baby thrive through proper nutrition, adequate sleep, exercise, wellness check-ups. A lot of thought and preparation can go into having a baby. The question we need to ask ourselves is why do we stop caring for our body once the baby is born?

Granted this is a general statement, not one that applies to everyone. However, statistics tell us that this is true as a vast majority of adults are overweight or obese. Did the perception change because the baby was born and no longer dependent on the mother? The reality is that the baby is still dependent on it’s mother and those who care for it. However, if a parent or caregiver is not healthy due to excess weight, it does impact the child, whether we admit it or not.

Our children need us and we owe it to them to make that happen. Choosing to not take care of our body with:

poor nutrition
a sedentary lifestyle
not exercising
excessive drinking
smoking
extra weight
fast food

not only sets a bad example for our children, but also impacts our quality of life with them. We are purposely adding risk factors that could very likely shorten our lives. And what excuse do we really have? Are we too busy? Putting our kid’s needs first? Minimizing our situation? There are countless excuses we could use. Our bodies are not designed to function with extra weight as it impacts every system in our body.

Eventually this weight is likely to cause a major setback in our health, because our body simply can’t withstand the strain the extra weight. Just like a shelf that holds more than it should. Eventually it will collapse, dropping everything it was holding. Was the shelf poorly designed? Was it flawed in some way? No. It was simply not designed to carry more than it should. Are we any different than this shelf?

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Myth #7: Chiropractors Only Treat Back Pain

Myth #6: Chiropractic Adjustments Hurt

Myth #5: Once you start seeing a chiropractor you can never stop

Myth #4: A Chiropractor Is Not a Real Doctor

Myth #3: Chiropractic Care Is Only for Adults

Myth #2: Chiropractic adjustments are dangerous

Myth #1: Seeing a Chiropractor is Expensive

Top Chiropractic Myths Debunked

Yes, You Can Lose Weight!

What to Expect With Extra Weight

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