After more than 40 years of practice in Montrose, we’ve heard just about every misconception about chiropractic care there is. Some come from people who are nervous about trying it, some from things people read online, and some are just outdated ideas that have stuck around longer than they should have. At The Chiropractic Place, we think honest answers serve people better than defensiveness, so here are the myths we hear most often – and what’s actually true.
Myth 1: “Once You Start Going to a Chiropractor, You Have to Go Forever”
This is probably the most common concern we hear, and it’s worth addressing directly. The idea that chiropractic care traps you into endless visits isn’t accurate.
Here’s the reality. Many patients come in for a specific problem, get it resolved over a course of care, and then come back only as needed. Others choose to continue with periodic maintenance visits because they’ve experienced the difference it makes in how they feel and function – the same way some people choose regular dental cleanings or exercise routines. That’s a choice, not a requirement.
At The Chiropractic Place, we give you an honest assessment of what your situation needs and let you decide how to proceed. We don’t pressure anyone into ongoing care they haven’t chosen for themselves. If you come in for a specific issue and want to stop once it’s resolved, that’s a completely legitimate path.
Myth 2: “Chiropractic Adjustments Are Dangerous”
When performed by a licensed, experienced chiropractor after a proper evaluation, chiropractic adjustments are widely regarded as a safe approach to musculoskeletal care. Serious complications are rare, particularly relative to the risks of the alternatives many people turn to for the same problems – long-term pain medication, for instance, carries its own well-documented risks.
A thorough evaluation comes first. Dr. Brian Miller and Dr. Riley Miller assess each patient’s history, examination findings, and imaging when appropriate before any adjustment. The technique is matched to the patient – a gentle instrument-assisted approach for someone who needs it, a different approach for someone else. And if we find something that suggests chiropractic isn’t the right fit, we say so and point you in the right direction.
Myth 3: “Chiropractic Isn’t Real Medicine – There’s No Science Behind It”
Chiropractic care is supported by a substantial and growing body of research, particularly for common conditions like lower back pain, neck pain, and certain types of headaches. Major clinical guidelines for the management of lower back pain now include spinal manipulation among the recommended non-pharmaceutical approaches to try before more invasive options.
Chiropractors complete extensive doctoral-level education and clinical training, are licensed and regulated, and many – like Dr. Brian Miller – pursue thousands of hours of additional post-graduate education. Dr. Brian has served as a preceptor faculty member at Los Angeles College of Chiropractic, training the next generation of practitioners, and as a peer reviewer in health outcomes research. This is a credentialed healthcare field, not a fringe practice.
Myth 4: “You Only Need a Chiropractor If Your Back Hurts”
Back pain is what brings many people in, but it’s far from the whole picture. Chiropractic care addresses neck pain, headaches, sciatica, disc problems, and joint issues well beyond the spine – knees, hips, shoulders, and more.
Because the spine houses the nervous system, many patients also notice improvements in things they didn’t expect when they came in for a specific complaint – better sleep, reduced tension, easier movement. The focus isn’t narrowly on back pain; it’s on how the spine and nervous system support the whole body’s function.
Myth 5: “The Popping Sound Means Bones Are Being Cracked or Forced”
The sound that often accompanies an adjustment makes people wince before they’ve even experienced it – but it’s not bones cracking, grinding, or being forced anywhere.
That pop is simply the release of gas bubbles from the fluid within a joint when the joint surfaces are gently separated during an adjustment. It’s the same harmless phenomenon as when you crack your knuckles. The sound isn’t the point of the adjustment, it isn’t a measure of whether the adjustment worked, and many techniques – including the instrument-assisted methods we frequently use – produce no sound at all while still being fully effective.
Myth 6: “Chiropractic Care Is Just About Temporary Pain Relief”
Good chiropractic care aims to do more than make today’s pain go away. The goal is to identify and address the underlying structural problem causing the pain – the restricted joint, the misalignment, the nerve interference – so the relief lasts rather than evaporating in a few days.
This is why we talk about correcting problems rather than just relieving symptoms. Masking pain is easy and temporary. Addressing what’s actually driving it is the harder, more durable work – and it’s what Dr. Brian’s “treat the patient, not the disease” philosophy has always been about.
Myth 7: “Chiropractic Care Is Too Expensive and Insurance Won’t Cover It”
Many insurance plans do cover chiropractic care, and the cost of conservative care often compares favorably to the alternatives – imaging, injections, ongoing medication, or surgery for problems that might have responded to less invasive treatment.
We’re always happy to discuss the practical side of care openly. For new patients who want to try chiropractic without a large upfront commitment, we offer a new patient special that makes it straightforward to get a complete evaluation and first adjustment.
Honest Answers, No Pressure
If concerns or misconceptions have kept you from trying chiropractic care, we hope this clears a few things up. The best way to find out whether it’s right for you isn’t to read more online – it’s to come in, get a thorough evaluation, and get honest answers to whatever questions you have.
The Chiropractic Place has served Montrose, La Cañada, and La Crescenta for over 40 years on exactly that basis. Call us at (818) 249-2300 or visit our contact page to schedule. We’re glad to answer questions, no pressure attached.
