“Snap! Crackle! Pop!” No, it’s not your morning cereal. The sounds you hear are coming from your spine as a chiropractor stands over you, manipulating your back into contortions that cause your vertebrae to crack louder than Jiffy Pop. You ask yourself, “Is this a good idea?”
About half of all Americans suffer from back pain, and many turn to chiropractors for help. Those who swear by chiropractic believe it helps them ease myriad complaints, from low-back pain to headaches and even digestive problems and allergies. But the line between fact and fiction is fuzzy when it comes to these claims. There have been very few reputable studies on the effects of chiropractic, and many Western doctors believe the potential risks far outweigh the supposed benefits. After all, we’re playing with spines here, and many chiropractors are admitted to practice without a bachelor’s degree. How are we to distinguish between alternative medicine and quackery?
Dem Bones, Dem Bones
Chiropractic medicine is a holistic approach to wellness that focuses on healing the body through manipulation of the musculoskeletal system, especially around the spine. Basically, chiropractors use a combination of massage, pressure, stretches, and exercises to align your vertebrae; they believe doing so will alleviate pain and balance other systems in the body. It’s meant to be a complementary form of treatment for those with chronic pain who seek a conservative alternative to drugs and surgery.
In order to practice, chiropractors must pass a state licensing exam after completing two to four years of undergraduate education and four years of specialized chiropractic courses. At the end of their training, chiropractors earn a doctor of chiropractic (DC) degree. Some DCs choose to pursue postdoctoral education in areas like neurology, sports injuries, nutrition, occupational injuries, and even pediatrics, but the majority maintain a general practice.
Advocates of chiropractic claim it helps to ease back pain and tension headaches, aid relaxation, improve posture and balance, and decrease inflammation in muscles and joints. Some people even believe it alleviates allergies and digestive woes by removing stress from the central nervous system.
