FAQs
What Is Chiropractic?
Chiropractic is a branch of the healing arts concerned with the restoration and maintenance of health by manipulation of the spine and joints. It is primarily involved with the relationship between the spine and the nervous system. Because of the vast distribution of the nervous system, chiropractic has proven effective with many conditions and disorders such as certain headaches, chronic pain, muscle tension, stress and helping the body maintain a sense of well being. Chiropractic uses the body’s inherent ability to heal itself with the aid of a properly functioning nervous system. Chiropractors deal with body engineering, postural stability, joint mechanics and the self-regulating physiological control systems of the body without the use of drugs or surgery.
What Can I Expect From A Chiropractic Exam And Treatment?
Upon your first visit to the Chiropractor you will be given a physical examination. You will also receive a spinal examination which includes studies of spinal motion and integrity, orthopaedic testing. After a comprehensive differential diagnosis is given, the Chiropractor will arrive at a prognosis and either treat the patient or refer to another health discipline for appropriate care. The Chiropractor’s main treatment mode is spinal manipulation. Using the hands, the Chiropractor will adjust specific segments of the spinal column with a quick, specific thrust that mobilizes the spine. Such adjustments may have to be repeated regularly over a period of time to achieve the desired correction. The relief of these spinal misalignments and nerve irritations will help the body in its effort to return to normal health. In addition to spinal manipulation, posture, nutrition, exercise, work and recreational habits are all considered.
How Will I Benefit?
Chiropractic care has long and short-term goals. The short-term goal is to get the presenting complaint under control and the patient in a pain free state. Long-term goals are to correct the structure imbalances in the spine that led to the problem originally and to prevent recurrence. The concept of preventive care is stressed. Through regular chiropractic care the body will be better able to deal with the many difficulties that you confront each day. You do not have to be ill to benefit from chiropractic care. Many athletes use chiropractic to help improve performance.
Will I Need X-rays?
Spinal x-rays are invaluable to the Chiropractor to help rule out disease and to aid in the diagnosis of certain spinal anomalies that are not readily visible during the physical examination. Each case is unique and x-rays may need to be ordered.
Who are Chiropractors?
Chiropractors are doctors who are required to attend a minimum of six years of intensive college study including one year clinic internship prior to entering a practice. A Chiropractor is well trained in diagnostic procedures. You may consult a Chiropractor directly, without medical referral. There are over 2,800 Chiropractors in Canada, approximately 360 in the province of British Columbia. Chiropractic is the third largest provider of health care in Canada after medicine and dentistry.