FAQs
Q. WHAT KIND OF EDUCATION DO CHIROPRACTORS HAVE?
A. Chiropractors are educated as primary contact health care practitioners, just like your family physician, optometrist or dentist, but with a specific emphasis on musculoskeletal diagnosis and treatment. The typical chiropractor will have at least 7 years of post-secondary education, with the chiropractic curriculum comprising of 4 years of intense classroom, laboratory and clinical education. Upon completion of the program, a Chiropractor can only be licensed to practice if they pass rigorous National and Provincial Licensing Board examinations.
Q. IS CHIROPRACTIC SCIENTIFIC?
A. Chiropractic is a science, art and philosophy. It's a scientific fact that your brain and nervous system control every cell, tissue and organ of your body. Research confirms that interference to the nervous system change the way the body functions. Nerve interferences are most common along the spine. Objective tests help locate these interferences, called subluxations, and precise chiropractic adjustments are designed to help correct or reduce them.
Q. CAN A CHIROPRACTOR BE COMPARED TO A MEDICAL DOCTOR?
A. Only from the standpoint that both professions are concerned for the health and well-being of their patients. Chiropractors are specialists in spinal care, just as dentists specialize in tooth care and optometrists specialize in eye care. If our tests determine that your condition is better handled by another form of health professional, we will refer you to another doctor for further testing.
Q. IS CHIROPRACTIC SAFE?
A. Chiropractic is considered to be one of the safest Health Care professions, contrary to what other people of the media might have you believe. While we recognize that there are risks associated with certain procedures (ie. neck adjustments), statistically it is not even comparable to the risk and side effects associated with its medical counterpart (ie. anti-inflammatory medications). According to a study in the American Journal of Gastroenterology, approximately one-third of all hospitalizations and deaths related to gastrointestinal bleeding can be attributed to the use of aspirin or NSAID painkillers like ibuprofen.
Q. FOR HOW LONG WILL I NEED CHIROPRACTIC CARE?
A. Time for recovery and return to full function depends on many factors such as your particular condition and its severity; your level of involvement in the healing process; and the treatment provided. It is important to keep in mind that pain is usually the last symptom to appear and the first to go away. While your symptoms may decrease dramatically within your first few chiropractic treatments, the underlying cause of the pain is not usually fully resolved. Therefore, it is important to follow your personally tailored treatment plan.
Q. WHAT CAUSES THE SOUND DURING AN ADJUSTMENT?
A. Special fluids lubricate each spinal joint. Some adjusting methods can produce a sound as the gas and fluids in the joint shift - like opening a soda or a bottle of champagne. The sound is fascinating, but isn't a guide to the quality or effectiveness of an adjustment.
Q. CAN I ADJUST MYSELF?
A. No. Some people may be able to make their joints "pop", but that's not an adjustment! Worse, damage may occur by habitually stressing the joints, muscles and ligaments. Adjustments are specific and take years to master. Even chiropractors must consult a colleague to benefit from chiropractic care.
Q. WILL ADJUSTMENTS HURT?
A. Chiropractors make every treatment as comfortable as possible by applying the appropriate therapies according to your condition and comfort level. Usually, your treatment is pain free and you can feel positive results right away, especially in terms of decreased pain and increased mobility. Keep in mind that the soft tissue surrounding your joints - the joint capsule, ligaments, tendons, muscles - can become contracted, fibrous, or tender when irritated. During or after joint adjustment, or any other form of manual therapy, these tissues may occasionally feel tender. This tenderness usually passes quickly.
Q. HOW MANY ADJUSTMENTS WILL IT TAKE?
A. The number and frequency of adjustments vary from patient to patient. Most patients see some progress within a week or two. As supporting muscles and ligaments heal, visits may become less frequent. More difficult, longstanding cases may require regular visits over many months or years to make lasting changes.
Q. WHAT IF CHIROPRACTIC DOESN'T WORK?
A. If we're unable to find and reduce the underlying cause of your particular health problem, we'll refer you to other trustworthy specialists who may be able to help. Your health and satisfaction are our only goal.
Q. ONCE I START GOING TO A CHIROPRACTOR, WILL I ALWAYS HAVE TO KEEP GOING?
A. No. Once your agreed upon treatment plan is complete and you have reached maximum therapeutic benefit, you will be discharged from care. At this point you may elect to see your chiropractor periodically for additional care as required and desired.