DR Jenny Li

The 100% Truth About Chiropractic

Hi, my name is Dr Jenny Li. I am a fully qualified Doctor of Chiropractic, and I graduated from Palmer College of Chiropractic in the United States. I have practised in Hong Kong and at an established chiropractic brand in
Singapore for six years before founding Singapore Pain Solutions.

Over the years, I realised that many people have misconceptions about what chiropractic can or cannot do. On top of that, some self-proclaimed
chiropractors are tainting the industry with poor practices such as hard-sell sales tactics and making bizarre claims.

I believe that it will be a good idea to put up a resource guide, so people can better understand and appreciate chiropractic. Having the right
information to make an informed decision is critical especially when we are talking about issues relating to your health.

Do feel free to drop us a message on our Facebook page or send us an email if you have any further doubts.

Understanding Chiropractic & Chiropractors

1What is Chiropractic?

According to the definition by World Health Organisation (WHO):..

Chiropractic is a health care profession concerned with the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disorders of the neuromusculoskeletal system and the effects of these disorders on general health. There is an emphasis on manual techniques, including joint adjustment and/or manipulation, with a particular focus on the subluxation.

Spinal manipulation dates back to Hippocrates and the ancient Greek physicians, the discovery of chiropractic is attributed to D.D. Palmer in 1895, with the first school for the training of chiropractors commencing in the United States of America in Davenport, Iowa in 1897.

2What can chiropractic treat?

Any chiropractor who claims that chiropractic can treat ailments outside of this list is likely to be one whom you shouldn't trust..

If you are suffering from any of these pain ailments, do give chiropractic a try.

3What can't chiropractic treat?

These are just some examples of conditions that chiropractic cannot help..

Apparently due to malpractices by some chiropractors, some patients are mislead into believing that chiropractic is a miracle cure for everything.

  • Asthma
  • Flu
  • Diabetes

4How can I identify a good chiropractor?

We’ve written an article all about it here..

But in summary: Good chiropractors don’t hard-sell, don’t ask you to sign any package that is more than 12 sessions, focus on solving your issues and don't make ludicrous claims.

5How are chiropractors qualified?

Chiropractors go through a rigorous education of at least five years, and the syllabus is certified by an independent international body – ...

the Council of Chiropractic Education The World Health Organisation (WHO) also issues guidelines on the training and safety of chiropractic.

6Why are chiropractors not regulated in Singapore?

Chiropractors in Singapore are self-regulated by the Chiropractic Association and the Alliance of Chiropractics...

and it sets the standards of practising chiropractic in Singapore, on top of those guidelines that have been set by WHO.

The Association also regularly hold dialogues with the Ministry of Health (MOH) to review the industry’s best practices.

While it is currently not regulated by MOH, it’s a matter of time before the industry matures and the authorities decide to step in.

7Are there risks involved in chiropractic treatment?

There are risks involved in any healthcare business. Botched procedures in hospitals happen on a daily basis, but they largely go unreported..

You should understand the risks involved before consenting to treatment.

It is also good to take the extra time to look for a reliable chiropractor to take care of your needs. In extreme cases, a chiropractic patient may suffer a stroke, therefore it is vital to consult before any adjustment.

Before you come to visit, do have a clear idea of your health history and bring along any accompanying medical documents. The more information you provide, the better the advice we can give and the lower the risks.

Medical Research Shows That Chiropractic Helps

Effect of Chiropractic on Patients with lower back pain (National University of Health Sciences)

Consider chiropractic first before resorting to surgery (American Medical Association)

Chiropractic + Medical Care = Better Pain Relief (Medical Journal: Spine)

In a study conducted by National University of Health Sciences, 112 patients with lower back pain were randomly assigned to receive either chiropractic adjustments, side-posture positioning or two control treatments.

The patients then received an MRI scan that allowed researchers to analyse spinal gapping.

The results revealed that the patients who received chiropractic treatment had the most substantial spinal gapping, and patients treated with a combination of chiropractic adjustments and side-posture positioning had the greatest reduction in pain.

This shows that chiropractic can restore spinal health to decrease disability and pain.

Cramer GD, et al. Magnetic resonance imaging zygapophyseal joint space changes (gapping) in low back pain patients following spinal manipulation and side-posture positioning: a randomized controlled mechanisms trial with blinding. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics 2013; pii: S0161-4754(13)00055-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jmpt.2013.04.003.

Frequently Asked Questions About Chiropractic

There are many articles saying that chiropractors are fake and dangerous…

We go through at least five years of doctoral education in chiropractic institutions accredited by the Council on Chiropractic Education to be qualified chiropractic practitioners. Just like any other professions, there are unqualified people operating a chiropractic business. That is why it is important for you to know how to identify a credible chiropractor.

What is the difference between chiropractic & physiotherapy?

There is some overlap between these two forms of treatment, but to put it simply, chiropractic deals with the spine and joints, while physiotherapy deals with soft tissues like joints and muscles.

Despite the similarities, a patient can benefit from a combination of both treatments. When it comes to chronic pain management, research has shown that a combination of chiropractic and physiotherapy treatments produce faster and longer lasting results.

Chiropractic doesn’t work, I tried it before.

Chiropractic is not a life-transforming miracle pill that works on the first try with 100% chance of recovery.

Chiropractic simply facilitates the healing of the body. Healing takes time and requires patience. Every 10-12 visits, we will assess your recovery progress with objective tests.

If you have undergone numerous chiropractic adjustments and still see little results, we will refer you to our healthcare partners for alternative treatments.

Chiropractors are not real doctors. They are quacks.

If by definition of real doctors you mean MD or GP, or OBGYN, you are right, we are definitely not MDs or GPs. Chiropractors don’t prescribe drugs or surgery in our practice. Does it mean we are totally against drug and surgery?

Absolutely not, drugs and surgery have their own place in the medical system. It is up to the right qualified professionals to decide the usage of drugs and surgery. For those seeking pain management thru drugs and surgery instead of focusing on the core problem, then chiropractic is definitely not the right choice for you.

Chiropractors are offering a less invasive method to deal with your pain management and as well as healthy, normal life style. Proper chiropractic training must be obtained usually with 4 years of additional education after graduating from college or university.

Chiropractic as a profession is also registered with the WHO (World Health Organisation) and recognized in many countries.

Chiropractic is no different than TCM, tui na and massage.

TCM focuses on the flow of Qi (energy) through the body. It is believed that any blockage of Qi will result in sickness, pain and discomfort. TCM utilises herbal supplement, cupping, tui na, massage and the occasional bone setting to “unblock” the Qi.

Chiropractic is the clinical application of our knowledge of biomechanics and neurology in the human body. We utilise diagnostic tools such as X-rays and MRIs to determine the function of joints and muscle.

Chiropractors focus on finding the root of the problem which causes ache, pain, numbness, and weakness in the muscles. Chiropractors also prescribe home rehabilitation exercises to help you recover faster.

Are the results sustained or do I have to come back for regular treatment?

Depending on the severity of your treatment, we will advise you to come more regularly at the start. Once we see significant improvements, we will suggest spacing out the treatments for maintenance.

I have back pain. Can chiropractic help?

Of course! Chiropractic is mostly about solving back issues. Your back pain is likely a result of spinal misalignment, or in some cases, rotation in your hip or feet. Come in for a consultation with us. We’ll see if we can help.

Can I see improvements immediately?

Usually, after the first session, you may feel some improvements. But it may take weeks or even months to see significant improvements. It depends on how severe your condition is, how well your body is reacting to the treatment, and most importantly, how regularly you are coming in for treatment. The more consistent you are, the better the results.

If I have a back problem but need to travel regularly/often, will my treatment progress be affected?

As long as you come for treatment regularly, your progress will not be affected. Even if you can’t make it regularly, you should still make time for treatment whenever you can. It’s better than not doing anything about it.

Get A Chiropractic Consultation

If you are suffering from back pain or discomfort in areas such as the lower back or neck, do give chiropractic a try.

We are also offering promotional packages for NSFs and 50% discount off chiropractic consultancy for teachers and nurses!

Book Now

Chiropractic @ Singapore Pain Solutions

1 What happens during a chiropractic treatment?

  1. Our chiropractor will have a chat with you to understand a few things: health history, existing health conditions, drugs, trauma accidents, surgery, family history illness. It’ll be good if you can bring any accompanying documents to show us. Do bring along any special diagnosis images (x-ray, MRI, etc) that were taken within 6-8 months.
  2. Next, we’ll do chiropractic and orthopaedic examinations, which means we will be looking at your back and legs to identify potential issues.
  3. After that, we will decide whether or not you need to go for an X-ray before administering any treatment.
  4. Finally, you’ll receive your first chiropractic adjustment if you need one.

2 How much is the cost of one treatment?

We’re not the cheapest nor the most expensive. Each session can be as low as $45. Click here to look at our rates.

3 Do I need to sign a package? How many sessions should I get? Will you try to hard-sell me a long term package?

While it will save you money, we advise that you come in for a consultation first. After our consultation, we will advise if you should sign up for a package. Give us a try first. We want you to be fully confident in us before signing on the dotted line.

It is our policy not to do any form of hard-selling to our patients.

If any of our staff, try to hard sell to you our services, please get in touch with me directly.

4 What if chiropractic does not help me?

We work closely with medical partners to offer you solutions in the event there is a need to escalate your case.

5 Are there different kinds of chiropractic treatments?

Chiropractic adjustments typically involve manipulating the joints. Sometimes, massages and stretching are administered on the soft tissues if needed. Some other techniques include heat or ice application, prescription of rehabilitative exercises and electrical stimulation.

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