Evidence-Based Chiropractor Cape Town: Myths and What Actually Works
Chiropractic care should be judged on evidence. For back and neck pain, manual therapy combined with exercise and education is a reasonable, guideline-supported option. Many of the claims made in chiropractic marketing are not supported.
This page explains the most common myths and what Dr Tristan does instead.

What you can expect here
Care based on current research, clinical reasoning and what you want to get back to.
A diagnosis
You leave the first visit knowing what is likely going on and how long recovery usually takes.
No prepaid packages
Pay per visit. Book again only if it is helping.
No routine X-rays
Imaging only when it will change the plan.
No subluxation talk
Care is based on current research and clinical reasoning.
Rehab you can do yourself
Every plan includes exercises and advice for between sessions.
Referral when needed
If another professional or a scan is needed, you are referred.
Common myths
“Your spine is out of alignment”
Spines are not pushed out of place and clicked back in. The pop is gas in the joint, not a bone moving back into position.
Read the full articleSubluxations cause disease
There is no good evidence that chiropractic subluxations exist as a cause of illness. Care here is based on diagnosis, not subluxations.
Read the full articleYou need regular maintenance adjustments
Long prepaid plans are not supported for most problems. You get a plan with an end point and the tools to manage yourself.
Read the full articleEveryone needs an X-ray first
Routine imaging is not recommended for most back and neck pain. It is used when it will change the plan.
Read the full articlePosture scans show what is wrong
Digital posture scans have limited evidence, and posture is a weak predictor of pain.
Read the full articleBad posture causes pain
There is no single correct posture. Moving often and building strength matters more.
Read the full articleThe Y-strap is a powerful treatment
A dramatic video does not make a treatment more effective. Forceful traction gadgets add risk without proven extra benefit.
Read the full articleA full-body crack fixes everything
More cracks are not better care. Treatment is chosen for your problem.
Read the full articleTechnique systems are proven
Named systems and analysis methods often have little research behind them.
Read the full article
Questions worth asking any practitioner
Whoever you see, these help you judge the care you are offered.
- Can you tell me what my diagnosis is?
- How many sessions should this take, and when will we review progress?
- What should I be doing myself between visits?
- Do I need to pay for a package upfront?
- When would you refer me to someone else?
Read more
- Why Choose Dr Tristan Koekemoer? | Evidence-Based Chiropractic Care in Cape Town28 July 2026
- Is Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) Evidence-Based? What the Science Actually Says | Chiropractor Cape Town3 July 2026
- Is Surface Topography for Scoliosis Evidence-Based? What Formetric Scans Can (and Can't) Tell You | Chiropractor Cape Town3 July 2026
- Are Digital Posture Scans Evidence-Based? What the Science Actually Says | Chiropractor Cape Town3 July 2026
- Does Posture Cause Pain? The Truth About Posture | Chiropractor Cape Town Explains27 June 2026
- Is the Gonstead Technique Evidence-Based? The Science Behind Gonstead Chiropractic27 June 2026
- Is Chiropractic Care Dangerous?30 March 2026
- Lower Back Pain Treatment in Cape Town: What Actually Works (Evidence-Based Guide)23 March 2026
- Subluxations Are Not Real: Why Modern Chiropractic is Evidence-Based in Sea Point11 October 2025
- Is Chiropractic Pseudoscience?11 September 2025
- Do I Need X-rays Before Seeing a Chiropractor?11 June 2025
- Chiropractor Mouille Point – Evidence-Based Care Near You23 May 2025
- What If a Chiropractor Can’t Crack Your Back? Here’s What It Actually Means23 May 2025
- Subluxations Are Not Real: Why Modern Chiropractic Is Evidence-Based23 May 2025
- Do Chiropractors Actually Realign Your Spine? (Nope, Here’s the Truth)20 May 2025
- Red Flags to Look Out for in Chiropractors9 May 2025
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Book your chiropractic consultation and start working towards better movement and less pain.