If you have had frequent visits to the Doctor’s office because of your back, you may often wonder what your doctor is thinking and how they are reacting to some of your signs and symptoms. I compiled a list of a few things doctors had to say. These are the things that they don’t often say out loud, but do think.
Your System
“I care far more about your system than your symptoms. Chiropractors are whole-body doctors treating not just the musculoskeletal system but also things like metabolic syndrome or diabetes—without the use of drugs that traditional doctors use. You may come in because of back pain but we’re looking for the sources of your back pain that go beyond just your back.” —Robert Silverman, Chiropractor in Texas
Referrals are our bread and butter
“Most of my patients come to me as referrals from other patients or practitioners. This makes me extra motivated to give you the best care so that you’ll feel comfortable sending your family and friends to me.” —Pamela Abramson-Levine, DC, family practice non-force chiropractor in Santa Monica, California
If you don’t follow instructions well, the treatment won’t work well
“When patients do not follow all my at-home care prescriptions, it hinders my ability to help them. I can adjust you and get your body aligned properly, but if you are not doing the therapeutic exercises I prescribe, or if you are continuing to eat a highly inflammatory diet, you are not going to see the best results. Optimal results occur when the entire program prescribed is followed properly.” —Pamela Abramson-Levine
You don’t have to snap, crackle, pop to get results
“There are many different techniques within the chiropractic profession. Some of them are low force, like Directional Non-Force Technique (DNFT). With this technique, there are no forceful manipulations, so you won’t hear the usual cracking or popping. It’s a very gentle and effective approach to getting the body back into proper alignment.” —Pamela Abramson-Levine
Do you love to crack or pop your neck? Stop it
“Self-adjusting by turning or cranking your own neck to make it ‘pop’ may give temporary relief, but in most cases, it is exacerbating a problem. Without proper touch and contact on the stuck joint, you’re likely doing damage to surrounding joints.” —Kris Birkeland, DC, president of Joint Ventures, LLC, operator of The Joint Chiropractic Clinics
Your phone addiction is actually keeping me in business
“One of the worst things a patient can do is have bad posture, and a lot of that stems from our bad habit of sitting down all day with smart phones, iPads, and laptops. Maintaining good posture helps keep our bones and joints in correct alignment so that the muscles are used correctly. This helps prevent abnormal wearing of joint surfaces that otherwise result in pain and degenerative arthritis.” —Nathan Leavitt, D.C., owner of West Knoxville Chiropractic.
Want to run a marathon? You need me
“Chiropractic treatment enhances athletic and personal performance. Athletes like Michael Phelps, Jerry Rice, and Joe Montana are under regular chiropractic care. Chiropractors are used by NFL team to help with the conditioning, functionality, and endurance of professional football players.” —Nathan Leavitt
Your house is your worst enemy
“Too many people live in an environment that doesn’t support good posture. For example, your desk chair needs to be at a good height for your legs to touch the floor; your computer monitor should be high enough so you don’t have to look down to see it; and you should have supportive pillows on the couch you use to watch TV.” —Jane Leavell, DC
I’m better at helping some types of people than others
“Chiropractors can specialize, just like medical doctors can. So when you’re looking for a chiropractor, be conscious of what their area of ability is, and find one that specializes in what you have going on. Some of the specialties include pediatric, pregnancy, nutrition, acupuncture, sports, and scoliosis.” —Jane Leavell
They’re not “bone doctors”
“Most people think chiropractors work primarily with bones, when in actuality we work more with the circuitry of the nervous system to restore and maintain normal function as much as possible. Chiropractic treatments are designed to stimulate the nervous system and activate brain function.” —Robert Blaich, DC, general practitioner in natural health care.
“Popping” your back isn’t the same as getting an adjustment
“You may be able to twist in such a way to feel a ‘pop,’ but this isn’t adjusting anything. Rather, the noise is just air bubbles moving in the joint space. You can even cause damage to your spine and nervous system trying to pop your own back.” —Heather Van Wyhe, DC, F.A.S.A. of the Oklahoma Chiropractors’ Association
You need to Listen
“When patients do not follow all my at-home care prescriptions, it hinders my ability to help them. I can adjust you and get your body aligned properly, but if you are not doing the therapeutic exercises I prescribe, or if you are continuing to eat a highly inflammatory diet, you are not going to see the best results. Optimal results occur when the entire program prescribed is followed properly.” —Pamela Abramson-Levine
Newborns especially need to be adjusted
“Being born is a very natural event but also a very traumatic event in each of our lives. We want babies to be adjusted so that the brain and nervous systems develop to their fullest potential, so that children are never sick and can sleep throughout the entire night. (And mom and dad do as well!). Babies who are adjusted don’t tend to have to deal with high fevers and ear infections.” —Heather Van Wyhe
Stop hiding stuff from me
“To help you, we need a clear history of health concerns. Try not to leave anything out. While some information may not seem relevant to a current health complaint, there may in fact be some other factors from a past health concern that can help resolve what may seem to be a new complaint. Our job is to connect the dots, and sometimes things that seem irrelevant are in fact important.” —Shannon Patterson, DC
How you get home from the appointment is important too
“Too many patients race out of the office to sit in a car in rush hour traffic. Instead, take a few minutes after your appointment with your chiropractor to go for a short mindful walk. Let the adjustment settle in before moving back into the busy pace of your life.” —Shannon Patterson
Ignore your mother-in-law and that guy from the internet
“Friends, family, and Internet posters suggest many methods to help you feel better, and you may be tempted to do them in addition to or instead of my advice. For instance, you may be told to do yoga or Pilates or that strengthening your core will cure your back pain. The problem is that there are many reasons why someone has back pain, and you need individualized advice. There is no cookie-cutter fix for low back pain.” —Matthew Cooper, DC
Don’t make me nag you about doing your homework, I’m not your mom
“Patients need to have an active role in their health—I cannot be a miracle cure. To get the best results you have to do your home exercises, correct your posture, eat healthfully, and follow my directions when you’re not in my office.” —Scott Schreiber, DC, board certified in rehabilitation and clinical nutrition
