FAQS
Your Questions Answered
WHAT IS CHIROPRACTIC?
Chiropractic care is a patient-centred, non-invasive, hands-on, regulated health care profession focused on your spine, muscles, joints and nervous system.
Chiropractors use the best available evidence and clinical expertise to diagnose issues that affect your body’s movement. They treat them without medication or surgery and prevent them from returning. Chiropractic care can also promote health and improve your quality of life, as well as alleviate pain.
WHO ARE CHIROPRACTORS?
Doctors of chiropractic, called ‘chiropractors’ are spine, muscle, joint and nervous system experts. Every chiropractor receives at least seven to eight years of post-secondary academic and clinical education. They are trained in how to evaluate, diagnose, recommend and deliver a treatment plan that manages issues within these systems, according to your preferences.
Each chiropractor is uniquely qualified to evaluate your condition and identify what’s causing your pain.
Based on the best available evidence, combined with their clinical expertise, your chiropractor will then work with you to determine the best treatment to relieve your pain. They will also help prevent it from returning and restore your mobility.
DO I NEED A DOCTOR’S REFERRAL?
No! In Canada, Chiropractors are primary health care providers which means you can access us directly without a medical doctors referral.
WHAT CONDITIONS DO CHIROPRACTORS TREAT?
Some of the conditions chiropractors treat include:
Back pain
Neck pain
Strains
Sprains
Pain associated with arthritis
Work and sports injuries
and many more!
WHAT IS AN ADJUSTMENT? DOES IT HURT? IS IT SAFE?
One of the most common therapies a chiropractor uses is spinal manipulative therapy (SMT), which can comprise a variety of adjustment techniques.
An adjustment is a safe and specific, high velocity, low amplitude thrust directed at a restricted or “locked” spinal segment.
Specific training in SMT allows chiropractors to provide highly-skilled and precise adjustments to the vertebrae of the spine, correcting joint motion to restore proper movement and improve function.
In general, adjustment do not hurt. In fact, many people report immediate relief after getting adjusted! Some people are worried about the ‘cracking’ sound during an adjustment but that is just believed to be the release of gas bubbles from the joint, similar to cracking your knuckles.
Although we love to work with spines, we are trained in treating any joint in the body!
Of course the adjustment is not a stand alone treatment. Other techniques offered in a treatment plan often include soft tissue therapy, rehabilitation exercises, mobilizations and many more.
IS CHIROPRACTIC COVERED BY EXTENDED HEALTH BENEFITS?
Most insurance plans have coverage for chiropractor care! However, not all plans are identical so it's important to check your coverage before booking an appointment.
WHAT IS YOUR NEW PATIENT PROCEDURE?
During the first appointment, I take time to listen to your concerns during a thorough history in which I will dive into details of your chief complaint as well as your past medical history and lifestyle to get a better overall picture of your complete health.
After getting all of the details of your concerns, an in-depth physical exam will take place where I will try to determine the cause of the concern. This may include; checking your vitals, postural analysis, gait analysis, range of motion testing, muscle testing, orthopaedic testing, neurologic testing as well as palpation of muscles and joint.
Following the history and physical, I will determine a diagnosis and take the time to fully explain my findings and answer any questions or concerns you may have. I will provide you with a detailed treatment plan, tailored to you and your needs and give you any recommendations I may have. Treatment is then offered based on the plan that was developed!
This appointment is roughly an hour in length. Follow up appointments can range from 25-55 minutes depending on your specific condition.