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5 Myths About Chiropractic Care

Chiropractic care has been around for more than a century, helping millions find relief from pain, improve mobility, and avoid unnecessary medications or surgeries. Yet despite its long-standing success, chiropractic is still surrounded by a few persistent myths. These myths are perpetuated mostly by individuals who have never seen a chiropractor before, had one bad experience or believe that chiropractic care has not progressed since its founding in the 1800’s.


At Redwood Spine & Mobility, we believe that patient education helps empower you to make important decisions on their healthcare. So let’s break down the top 5 chiropractic myths and explain what science and experience actually tell us.

🧍‍♂️ Chiropractic Myth #1: You Only Need a Chiropractor if You’re in Serious Pain

Truth: You don’t have to be in a car accident or unable to stand up straight to benefit from chiropractic care (1).


Many people come in not because they’re in agony, but because they’re noticing early signs of loss of function (2, 3, 19):

  • Stiffness getting out of bed

  • Trouble turning their head while driving

  • Fatigue or tightness after sitting

  • Loss of range of motion


Chiropractic care is as much about maintaining function as it is about relieving pain. In fact, early care often prevents minor issues from turning into major problems.

Patient laying face up comfortably with practitioner hands lightly holding the patient's head

💊 Chiropractic Myth #2: Chiropractic Adjustments Are Dangerous

Truth: When performed by a licensed chiropractor, spinal adjustments are safe, controlled, and backed by research.


According to several systematic reviews, serious complications from chiropractic adjustments are extremely rare: less than 1 in a million adjustments (4-8). Studies show that chiropractic care is significantly safer than long-term use of NSAIDs, muscle relaxants, or opioids, which can lead to gastrointestinal bleeding, kidney or liver damage, and even dependency (9-11).


At Redwood Spine & Mobility, we use gentle techniques tailored to your age, comfort, and specific condition.

Patient laying facedown while practitioner gently evaluates spine with two hands

⏰ Chiropractic Myth #3: Once You Start, You Have to Keep Going Forever

Truth: You’re always in control of your care.


Some patients choose ongoing wellness care to stay flexible, mobile, and pain-free (1, 2). This is especially true for those with arthritis, disc degeneration, or high activity levels. But many patients come in for a short series of visits to address a specific issue, then return only as needed.


At our clinic, we’ll always:

  • Give you a clear plan

  • Reassess regularly

  • Only recommend continued care if it’s truly helping

Green Exit sign hanging from ceiling

📚 Chiropractic Myth #4: There’s No Science Behind Chiropractic

Truth: Chiropractic care is supported by decades of clinical research and is recommended in major medical guidelines (3, 12-18).


In fact, the American College of Physicians recommends spinal manipulation as a first-line treatment for acute and chronic low back pain before medications or surgery (18). Not to mention Chiropractics is utilized in the Department of Veterans Affair (VA), Olympics and even some Hospital chains based on this research.


There are hundreds of peer-reviewed studies showing chiropractic can:

  • Reduce back and neck pain (11)

  • Improve joint mobility (14)

  • Reduce headache frequency (16)

  • Enhance function and quality of life (19)


When combined with movement and strength-based exercises, results are often even better.

Scientist within a lab with white lab coat and glue exam gloves looking into a microscope

💥 Chiropractic Myth #5: Adjustments Are Cracking Your Bones

Truth: We are not cracking bones, we are safely restoring movement in restricted joints.


While you might hear a popping sound (similar to cracking your knuckles), it's not from anything breaking but rather the result of tribonucleation, which is a completely normal occurrence (20). When a joint is moved quickly during an adjustment, the surfaces within the joint momentarily separate, creating a drop in pressure. This sudden pressure change allows dissolved gas within the joint fluid to form a bubble (tribonucleation), which creates the popping sound. It’s not bones grinding, shifting, or rubbing.


And not all adjustments involve a “pop” at all. We use techniques like:

  • Flexion-distraction (gentle table-assisted motion)

  • Drop piece adjusting (low force)

  • Soft tissue therapy before adjusting to relax muscles


Our goal? Make every treatment comfortable, calming, and effective.

A young patient in an exam gown sits on a doctor's table with a parent. The doctor examines the patient's knee.

🌿 Final Thoughts

Chiropractic care is safe, effective, and designed to help your body work better without relying on pain medications or invasive procedures. Whether you’re dealing with chronic stiffness, recovering from an injury, or just want to move with more confidence, we’re here to help.


If you have any questions about Chiropractic care or want to check on a possible myth, feel free to reach out and we are happy to help.


📍 Redwood Spine & Mobility – Santa Cruz, CA ✨ Rooted in natural solutions. Focused on helping you move better, feel better, and live better.

🔗 Ready to book your first visit?




References below!

Citations

  1. Axén, I., Hestbaek, L. & Leboeuf-Yde, C. Chiropractic maintenance care - what’s new? A systematic review of the literature. Chiropr Man Therap 27, 63 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12998-019-0283-6

  2. Hjertstrand, J., Palmgren, P. J., Axén, I., & Eklund, A. (2021). The Nordic maintenance care program: patient experience of maintenance care—a qualitative study. Chiropractic & Manual Therapies, 29(1), 28. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12998-021-00388-z

  3. Bussières, A. E., Gauthier, C. A., Fournier, G., & Descarreaux, M. (2017). Spinal manipulative therapy for low back pain—time for an update. Canadian Family Physician, 63(9), 669–672. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5597007/

  4. Swait, G., & Finch, R. (2017). What are the risks of manual treatment of the spine? A scoping review for clinicians. Chiropractic & Manual Therapies, 25, 37. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12998-017-0168-5

  5. Gouveia, L. O., Castanho, P., & Ferreira, J. J. (2009). Safety of chiropractic interventions: a systematic review. Spine, 34(11), E405–E413. https://doi.org/10.1097/BRS.0b013e3181a16d63

  6. Cassidy, J. D., Boyle, E., Côté, P., He, Y., Hogg-Johnson, S., Silver, F. L., & Bondy, S. J. (2008). Risk of vertebrobasilar stroke and chiropractic care: results of a population-based case-control and case-crossover study. Spine, 33(4 Suppl), S176–S183. https://doi.org/10.1097/BRS.0b013e3181644600

  7. Gorrell, L. M., Brown, B. T., Engel, R., & Lystad, R. P. (2023). Reporting of adverse events associated with spinal manipulation in randomised clinical trials: an updated systematic review. BMJ Open, 13(5), e067526. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2022-067526

  8. Chu, E. C. P., Trager, R. J., Lee, L. Y. K., et al. (2023). A retrospective analysis of the incidence of severe adverse events among recipients of chiropractic spinal manipulative therapy. Scientific Reports, 13, 1254. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-28520-4

  9. Vonkeman, H. E., & van de Laar, M. A. (2010). Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: adverse effects and their prevention. Seminars in Arthritis and Rheumatism, 39(4), 294–312. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.semarthrit.2008.08.001

  10. Manchikanti, L., et al. (2017). Responsible, Safe, and Effective Prescription of Opioids for Chronic Non-Cancer Pain: ASIPP Guidelines. Pain Physician, 20(2S), S3–S92. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28226332/

  11. Dabbs, V., & Lauretti, W. J. (1995). A risk assessment of cervical manipulation vs. NSAIDs for the treatment of neck pain. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, 18(8), 530–536. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8583176/

  12. Trager, R. J., Bejarano, G., Perfecto, R. T., Blackwood, E. R., & Goertz, C. M. (2024). Chiropractic and spinal manipulation: A review of research trends, evidence gaps, and guideline recommendations. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 13(19), 5668. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm13195668

  13. Paige, N. M., Miake-Lye, I. M., Booth, M. S., et al. (2017). Association of spinal manipulative therapy with clinical benefit and harm for acute low back pain: Systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA, 317(14), 1451–1460. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2017.3086

  14. Gevers-Montoro, C., Provencher, B., Descarreaux, M., Ortega de Mues, A., & Piché, M. (2021). Clinical effectiveness and efficacy of chiropractic spinal manipulation for spine pain. Frontiers in Pain Research, 2, 765921. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpain.2021.765921

  15. Diao, Y., Liu, Y., Pan, J., et al. (2025). Efficacy and safety of spinal manipulative therapy in the management of acute neck pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Systematic Reviews, 14, 97. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13643-025-02855-7

  16. Fernandez, M., Moore, C., Tan, J., et al. (2020). Spinal manipulation for the management of cervicogenic headache: A systematic review and meta-analysis. European Journal of Pain, 24(9), 1687–1702. https://doi.org/10.1002/ejp.1632

  17. Low back pain and sciatica in over 16s: assessment and management. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE); 2020 Dec 11. (NICE Guideline, No. 59.) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK562933/

  18. Qaseem, A., et al. (2017). Noninvasive treatments for acute, subacute, and chronic low back pain: A clinical practice guideline from the American College of Physicians. Annals of Internal Medicine, 166(7), 514–530. https://doi.org/10.7326/M16-2367

  19. Goertz, C. M., Long, C. R., Vining, R. D., Pohlman, K. A., Walter, J., & Coulter, I. (2018). Effect of Usual Medical Care Plus Chiropractic Care vs Usual Medical Care Alone on Pain and Disability Among US Service Members With Low Back Pain: A Comparative Effectiveness Clinical Trial. JAMA Network Open, 1(1), e180105. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2018.0105

  20. Kawchuk, G. N., Fryer, J., Jaremko, J. L., Zeng, H., Rowe, L., & Thompson, R. (2015). Real-time visualization of joint cavitation. PLOS ONE, 10(4), e0119470. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0119470


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