Chiropractic Isn’t the Cure-All You’ve Been Told

By Dr. Lucas Marchand – MyChiro, LLC

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Chiropractic care has long occupied a curious space in the healthcare landscape. On one hand, it's backed by solid evidence for relieving back pain, neck pain, and headaches – often more effectively than medication or surgery. On the other hand, some chiropractors claim that a spinal adjustment can cure everything from asthma to digestive issues to infertility.

This idea – that spinal alignment can unlock the body’s innate ability to heal itself – is a seductive one. Who wouldn’t want to believe that a quick adjustment could fix their chronic health problems? But as with most things in medicine, the truth is more complicated.

Chiropractic care is powerful – but not magical. And in the long run, overselling its benefits might be doing more harm than good.

The Rise of the Vitalist Movement in Chiropractic

A Healing Philosophy Rooted in the 19th Century

To understand how we got here, we need to go back to the beginning.

In 1895, D.D. Palmer performed the first chiropractic adjustment on a janitor named Harvey Lillard, who claimed to have been deaf for 17 years. According to Palmer, a single adjustment to Lillard’s spine restored his hearing.

Palmer concluded that spinal misalignments – or "subluxations" – interfered with the body’s natural flow of energy, which he called “innate intelligence.” He believed that by correcting these subluxations, the body’s natural ability to heal itself could be restored.

It was an elegant theory – simple, intuitive, and deeply appealing. But it was also based more on philosophy than science.

Modern Chiropractic’s Split – Science vs. Faith

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Fast-forward to today, and the chiropractic profession is divided into two distinct camps:

Vitalists – These chiropractors hold tightly to Palmer’s original idea that spinal adjustments can influence the body’s overall health and even cure disease.
Evidence-Based Practitioners – This group focuses on musculoskeletal issues, relying on research and clinical trials to guide their practice.

The vitalist belief in "innate intelligence" has become chiropractic’s version of religious doctrine – and like most doctrines, it’s resistant to evidence. It’s why you’ll still find chiropractors claiming that adjustments can cure everything from allergies to ADHD, despite a lack of scientific backing.

This split has created tension within the profession – and confusion for patients.

What Chiropractic Is Actually Great At

Pain Relief and Mobility – The True Strength of Chiropractic

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If you want to relieve back pain, neck pain, or headaches, chiropractic care is one of the best options available.

A growing body of research supports spinal adjustments for:

Lower back pain – especially for chronic and acute cases.
Neck pain – with improvements in both pain intensity and range of motion.
Headaches – particularly cervicogenic headaches that stem from neck issues.
Joint pain and stiffness – with improved function and reduced discomfort.

It’s not surprising – mechanical problems in the spine and joints respond well to mechanical solutions. That’s chiropractic’s sweet spot.

The Nervous System Link – Fact or Fiction?

Here’s where things get murky.

Vitalist chiropractors often claim that spinal adjustments improve overall nervous system function, which in turn boosts immunity, digestion, and even mental health.

While adjustments can reduce nerve compression and improve muscle function, the idea that they can "restore balance" to the body’s internal systems is tenuous at best.

It’s like realigning the wheels on your car – you’ll notice smoother handling and better performance, but it won’t fix the engine.

A study published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics found that while spinal adjustments can increase joint mobility and reduce pain, evidence for broader health benefits is limited and inconsistent. In other words, chiropractic care can make you feel better – but it’s unlikely to cure your IBS.

The Risk of Overselling – Why It Matters

False Hope Can Undermine Trust

When chiropractors promise to cure chronic illness or improve immune function, it creates unrealistic expectations – and sets patients up for disappointment.

Patients seeking relief for non-musculoskeletal issues often end up frustrated when adjustments don’t deliver the promised results. Worse, they may abandon chiropractic care altogether – even for conditions where it excels.

It's not unlike promising someone that a new set of tires will improve their gas mileage – when it doesn’t, they stop trusting the mechanic.

Science Over Sales – Why Evidence Matters

Vitalists argue that chiropractic care is about more than just pain relief – that it's about whole-body health. But if that’s true, where’s the evidence?

Studies consistently show that chiropractic care is effective for musculoskeletal issues – but the data on broader health effects is weak.

Instead of leaning on marketing slogans about "innate intelligence," chiropractors would be better served by focusing on what works: evidence-based care for pain relief and mobility.

Medical legitimacy doesn’t come from wishful thinking – it comes from results.

Chiropractic Is Valuable – When Framed Honestly

Strength in Specialization

There’s strength in knowing your role.

Chiropractors don’t need to promise the moon – relieving pain and improving mobility is already an incredible service. Most patients don’t expect their chiropractor to cure their allergies – they want to move without pain.

Think of it like being a specialist in any other field – you’d trust a cardiologist to treat heart issues, not migraines. Chiropractors are specialists in spinal health – and that’s enough.

Educating Patients – Setting Realistic Expectations

Patients deserve honesty. When chiropractors are transparent about what adjustments can and can't do, they build trust.

It’s not about diminishing chiropractic’s value – it’s about reinforcing it. When a patient experiences significant relief from chronic back pain, that’s a win. When they stop needing to take ibuprofen every day, that’s a life changed.

That's chiropractic’s real strength – not healing the immune system, but helping people live pain-free.

Conclusion – Chiropractors Don’t Need to Be Superheroes

Chiropractic care works. It's effective, safe, and often life-changing for patients struggling with pain and mobility issues. But it’s not a universal cure – and pretending otherwise only weakens the profession's credibility.

Chiropractors don’t need to be superheroes – they need to be specialists. Helping someone walk without pain, sleep through the night, or get through a workday without discomfort is powerful enough.

In the long run, honesty and evidence-based care will elevate chiropractic far more than any promise of miracle cures. The spine isn’t a magic wand that can be manipulated by a chiropractor – but for those dealing with musculoskeletal pain, it’s close enough.

Have a wonderful week,