When Your Doctor Tells You Not to Go to the Chiropractor

When Your Doctor Tells You Not to Go to the Chiropractor

Introduction

Hello, Dr. Brant Hulsebus here. Welcome to another edition of *Ask the Chiropractor*. This podcast aims to address questions about chiropractic care, leveraging my experience as a chiropractor in Rockford, Illinois. I’m a proud graduate of Palmer College of Chiropractic and serve as the team chiropractor of the Rockford IceHogs.

Why This Podcast Exists

The genesis of this podcast was a patient encounter. A patient was advised not to seek chiropractic care for a health issue but decided to give it a try regardless. To their amazement, they recovered swiftly and wished they had sought chiropractic care years earlier. This led me to a significant realization: if you have questions about chiropractic or chiropractic care, always ask a chirop

Understanding the Misconceptions

It’s not uncommon for patients to come in and express concerns that their doctors advised against chiropractic care, often based on limited or no knowledge of what chiropractors do. I find this baffling, especially since some medical professionals receive merely an hour-long, non-mandatory lecture about chiropractic care before their national boards.

The Expert Advice Conundrum

Imagine if I advised you not to go to the dentist because you just had a lower back adjustment. Ridiculous, right? Yet, this is akin to a doctor advising you against chiropractic care without truly understanding it. Chiropractors, like myself, undergo rigorous training and national boards to ensure we’re well-versed in our field. We know when an adjustment is safe and when it isn’t.

For example, I’ve had patients advised not to see a chiropractor post-hip replacement for an unrelated neck issue. Such broad advisories, based on ignorance, prevent patients from receiving care that could greatly benefit them.

Adjusting the Adjustmen

Chiropractors are adept at adapting our techniques to suit your situation. If you’ve just had surgery or cannot be positioned a certain way, that doesn’t preclude chiropractic care. Whether you’ve had abdominal surgery, are wearing a sling, or have other physical limitations, we have multiple ways to adjust you safely.

For instance, I can perform cervical adjustments with you seated, standing, against a wall, or lying down in various positions. Our training covers numerous adjustment methods, allowing us to adapt as per the patient’s needs.

Trust the Experts

When a doctor, irrespective of their specialty, advises against chiropractic care, it’s likely due to their lack of knowledge about chiropractic procedures. Asking for specific reasons or restrictions is crucial rather than accepting a blanket “no.” Often, you’ll find the reasons provided are based on unfounded fears rather than factual contraindications.

Communication is Key

Open dialogue between your chiropractor and other healthcare providers can prevent unnecessary suffering. For instance, I once treated a patient with a brain stimulator for Parkinson’s. By communicating with the neurosurgeon, I ensured adjustments were safe and effective.

Similarly, when your regular doctor advises against chiropractic care, have them outline specific do’s and don’ts. This allows your chiropractor to adapt treatments to ensure safety and efficacy, providing you the relief you need

Conclusion

Don’t let ignorance lead to suffering. Always seek advice from the experts. If you ever have a question about chiropractic care, ask a chiropractor. We are best equipped to determine when and how adjustments can be beneficial or if any adaptations are required due to recent medical procedures.

Feel free to leave comments or questions below this post. Stay healthy and safe, and always remember: if you have questions about chiropractic or chiropractic care, ask a chiropractor.

Thank you for reading.