Do You Believe in Chiropractic Medicine?
Chiropractors often face skepticism—but with 8 years of training and real results for pain relief, should they be part of your care team? Here's what you need to know.
There’s a medical professional who’s repeatedly saved me from excruciating pain over the past 14 years. But whenever I mention their title, many of my medical friends get skeptical.
That’s a shame, and it’s time to set the record straight. Today, we’re covering chiropractors.
To give you some context: Recently, I had some of my lower back pain (a problem I’ve had intermittently since 2011) return. While my back issues come and go, when they do come, they are agonizing.
So I visited my incredible chiropractors in NYC, Dr. Leon Aibinder and Dr. Wayne Winnick, on the Upper East Side. They make me feel significantly better with each treatment (by the way, they do Telehealth consultations).
It’s always shocked me, however, how skeptical some of my medical friends are when it comes to chiropractors. But let me be clear: This is a serious medical profession.
Let’s clear the air, starting with a chiropractor’s education and training.
Chiropractor Education
7 to 8 years: That’s the educational journey required to become a chiropractor. Typically, this starts with 3-4 years of undergraduate studies, followed by a rigorous 4-year Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) degree program.
During their professional training, chiropractors study many of the same subjects covered in medical school—anatomy, physiology, and pathology—but with a specialized focus on spinal and musculoskeletal alignment.
How Chiropractors Work with Medical Professionals
Musculoskeletal problems are rarely isolated. When an issue arises, it often triggers a domino effect across muscles, nerves, and soft tissues that either follow or precede an injury.
That’s where chiropractors come in. They’re trained to identify these interconnected patterns. It’s not uncommon for orthopedic surgeons to collaborate with chiropractors, from community clinics to professional elite athletes, to provide comprehensive care.
Beyond spinal adjustments, many chiropractors supplement their practice with additional non-Western therapeutic techniques, such as acupuncture.
The Pros of Chiropractic Care
Because you’re reading Ajenda, I’m going to give you the full picture of chiropractic care—including its pros and cons—so you can then make an informed decision based on your specific needs.
Let’s start with the benefits:
- Pain Relief and Mobility: Chiropractic adjustments often provide immediate relief for acute musculoskeletal pain, particularly back pain. For some, that means restored mobility in minutes.
- Non-invasive Treatment: Chiropractic care is drug-free and non-surgical, making it a potentially safer alternative for people who want to avoid medications or invasive procedures.
- Holistic Approach: Chiropractors don’t just treat your symptoms. They address underlying causes, such as posture, ergonomics, and exercise, to see what’s really causing your discomfort and how to prevent future injuries.
- Improved Alignment and Posture: Regular chiropractic care can help correct alignment issues, improve posture, and reduce long-term strain on joints and muscles.
- Quick Treatment Sessions: No need to block off half your day. Chiropractic appointments tend to be shorter, accessible, and less disruptive compared to other medical treatments!
The Cons of Chiropractic Care
Like any medical approach, chiropractic care comes with its share of caveats. Here are its potential downsides:
- Temporary Relief: Unfortunately, results from chiropractic adjustments can be temporary. That means ongoing treatment to maintain benefits, which can be time-consuming and expensive.
- Not Suitable for Everyone: If you have severe osteoporosis, inflammatory arthritis, spinal instability, or vascular issues, chiropractic manipulation isn’t advisable.
- Potential Side Effects: Some people experience mild side effects like soreness, stiffness, or headaches. Rarely, more serious complications, such as nerve injury or arterial dissection, have occurred. But again, it’s extremely uncommon.
- Limited Scope: Chiropractic care primarily focuses on alignment, mobility, and spinal issues and may not fully address underlying structural problems or systemic diseases. It might need to be combined with other medical interventions for comprehensive care.
- Variable Practitioner Quality: Not all chiropractors are created equal. The effectiveness of chiropractic treatment can depend heavily on who’s performing the adjustments. Always seek professionals certified by the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners to increase your odds of top-notch care.
One last thing. While I embrace most chiropractic techniques, I draw the line at neck adjustments. My professional opinion is to not allow a chiropractor to perform any neck manipulations because of the rare but potentially very serious (even fatal) complication risk with arteries and nerves in the region.
To Recap
For many, chiropractic care can be a beneficial, conservative option for addressing musculoskeletal issues, particularly when combined with other medical treatments and preventive lifestyle measures.
Just remember to loop in your primary physician before starting chiropractic treatment to confirm it’s appropriate for your situation.
This question came directly from a member of the Ajenda community.
