Have you heard the BAD rap about Chiropractic? Once you go to the chiropractor you have to keep going forever. Is that really true?
Several years ago I was invited to lecture to a group of insurance company adjusters. These are people who determine which insurance claims should be paid. I knew that they would be skeptical about what a Chiropractor had to say so I decided to loosen them up by telling them the only chiropractic joke I know: How many Chiropractors does it take to change a light bulb? One, but it takes 30 visits.” They all thought that was funny because it played directly into their belief system that Chiropractors over-treat their patients. But do Chiropractors really over-treat?
The answer to that question depends on your own belief system about health. Do you believe you should do things to stay healthy or do you believe you should do nothing about your health until you get sick? When you compare Chiropractic to traditional medicine, you also see two extremes. Chiropractic focuses on wellness while traditional medicine focuses on disease. Due to the influence of traditional medicine on the insurance industry, most people don’t realize that if they have insurance, it is not health insurance; it is sickness insurance. However, doesn’t it make more sense to stay well than to get well?
Some people have sheepishly told me that they wonder it Chiropractors do something to their spine that makes it necessary for them to have a chiropractic adjustment or “their spine will fall apart.” Nothing could be further from the truth. The reason that the chiropractic adjustment is given is to restore the proper position and motion to the spine and remove the interference to the nerves that causes pain and malfunction of the organs. If the chiropractor were doing things to make your spine unstable, you would feel more discomfort.
Periodically, patients ask me how long they will need chiropractic care. I respond by saying: “How long will you need to brush your teeth? You never have to brush them again, but what happens if you don’t?” The concept is the same. It is in your best interest to take care of the body you have.
So now we get back to our original question: “Do I have to go to the chiropractor forever?” No. The question you have to ask yourself is do you want to have optimum health or do you just want a quick fix when you are in pain. Optimum health comes from a healthy lifestyle of proper nutrition, exercise, a positive mental attitude, and a good chiropractic health program.
One of the most exciting things for me is to see the interest that people in southern California have for their health. Let’s face it. People here look healthy. They are active and they take care of themselves. What’s also interesting to me is that the healthiest looking people I meet understand that it’s not about getting well, it’s about staying healthy. So ask yourself, do you want to stay healthy or do you want to wait until you get sick and then get well? If you want to be healthy, take an action step today and do something to improve your health.
