I apologize in advance for the rant, but this issue is one that needs to be addressed. For the duration of my entire life, I have been treated under the care of both my father and uncle, who are licensed Chiropractors. Both men are brilliant and have become wildly successful as a result of extremely hard work, dedication, and a passion for correcting the ailments of thousands. After meeting so many overjoyed patients that have been corrected and bettered with my dad’s care, I knew that he must have been doing something right.

It all made sense. Due to weekly adjustments, I was one of the only one of my peers who rarely got sick, had almost perfect posture, and maintained a great physical figure. Unlike many of my friends, I rarely got headaches, never experienced back or neck pain, and had high energy for the duration of each day. If I ever had any sort of illness or ailment, I went straight to my father for advice, and trusted his every word. I knew that he could fix almost anything I was experiencing that caused me discomfort or pain. No medicine could replace what he could do for me, and I was raised with zero pharmaceutical dependencies. My dad was revered for his work, and had every reason to be.

When I left home and attended college, the reactions I received when telling others that my dad is a chiropractor were somewhat disheartening. While a fair share respected his career and said that they were envious that I lived with a chiropractor, others laughed. To my horror, some people have said to me that they do not “believe” in chiropractors, and that they “do not actually work." Not only was I extremely offended by these comments, I was also blindsided. I could not even fathom why some would say such ignorant statements, so I began to inquire about why they thought this way.

The B.S. behind these statements of ignorance towards Chiropractors was both comical and infuriating, especially when directed at a Chiropractor’s daughter. The most creative anti-Chiro myths that I’ve ever heard are listed below, and debunked for those who might not know the truth.

1. Chiropractors are not REAL doctors.

This is an awfully silly statement! In case some are unaware, Chiropractors must attend Chiropractic school, which is almost identical to and as difficult to be accepted into as Medical school. The courses are about equivalent, and along with medical doctors, chiropractors complete a clinical residency and pass four sets of board exams to be granted their D.C., or Doctor of Chiropractic degree. So that makes them fake doctors, right?

2. It is always safer and better to be treated by a Medical Doctor than a Chiropractor. News flash—this is false. Chiropractic is much less invasive than other medical interventions, and the side effects of Chiropractic are significantly less dangerous than those as a result of surgeries completed to treat the same problem. The American Chiropractic Association has even compiled information about risk of death from spine surgery, neck surgery, and taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and aspirin, all of which have a much higher risk of serious side effects and death than chiropractic treatment.

3. Chiropractic does not actually work.LOL. If the optimum health maintained in my family and most of my dad’s patients is not enough proof that Chiropractic works, I will lay down some facts. A recent study conducted by AV Med, the largest medical health maintenance organization in the southeastern U.S., examined the first 100 patients seeking help at a Chiropractic center. Out of 100 patients, 80 had already been treated medically without results. After receiving chiropractic adjustments, 86 percent had their conditions corrected, none needed surgery, and none felt worse.

If Chiropractors were such a joke, then why would almost every professional sports team, including Olympians, have Chiropractors on staff? More relevantly, how would Chiropractors become so successful if what they were doing was ineffective? The whole philosophy of Chiropractic care revolves around helping one’s body reach homeostasis, which is when it is at its best functioning point. The healthiest bodies work to cure themselves, and Chiropractors help them get there.

I might be biased, but I think Chiropractors have such incredible, important jobs. My father, uncle, and thousands of other chiropractors across the nation go to work every day to help others be the best that they are capable of being, and there’s nothing better than that. Most of you making these statements have never even been to a Chiropractor, considering the fact that satisfaction rates after Chiropractic care are so high. Next time you’re about to make a statement about a topic you know nothing about, watch who you’re talking to. You just might get schooled.