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Frequently Asked Questions

“A: No you do not need a referral to see a chiropractor. Your chiropractor is a primary contact provider just like your family physician, optometrist or dentist. Chiropractors are one of 5 regulated health professions in Ontario granted the ability to use the title doctor. A designation they have earned, chiropractors need to complete at least 3 years of undergraduate education before they go on to complete 4 years of graduate education at an accredited chiropractic college. During the 4 years at chiropractic college, the chiropractic doctor will spend in excess of 4500 classroom hours of health sciences. For many the education does not stop there as most engage in ongoing continuing education and coursework to provide the most current and up to date treatment for their patients.
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“A: First and foremost make sure that you come properly dressed for your initial chiropractic consultation. Clothing should be loose and comfortable to ensure the doctor can perform all the tests he/she needs to with ease. If you have had any previous imaging done (x-rays, MRI, CT scan) it would be prudent to also bring the report/images with you. The doctor may also be interested in any previous care/interventions you have had and what the outcome was.
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“A: Most private insurance plans cover chiropractic care to some extent. We provide you with all the necessary paperwork to ensure re-imbursement from your insurance provider is done promptly and efficiently.
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“A: Chiropractors impart a specific force in a precise direction (an adjustment) to joints in the spine or extremities that are fixated/locked or just not moving properly. The force creates a rapid pressure change in the joint complex whereby gases are pulled out of the synovial fluid that is responsible for bathing the joint and keeping it healthy. It is the extraction of the gases out of the fluid that creates the audible ‘POP’ that most people associate with a chiropractic adjustment. The audible pop is not the goal of the therapy rather it is an often heard outcome of the adjustment.
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“A: The birth process itself for some newborns may be a traumatic experience which is why many parents get their children checked for subluxations (fixated segments) that affect their nervous system. As children age, learning to walk, falls and involvement in sports/other activities can lead to spinal problems. The spine can oftentimes be the source of complaints that are errantly diagnosed as ‘growing pains’. Regular chiropractic check ups help to ensure that potential health challenges are caught early and dealt with minimizing adult health problems later in life.
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“A: The term ‘slipped disc’ can be misleading since discs do not slip. What is often being referenced is the result of an injury or damage to the disc. A disc is a spacer/shock absorber between 2 vertebrae (bones) in the spinal column and the spinal column is the bony housing for the nervous system. Think of a disc as 2 distinct layers; the outer component is a tough layer (annulus fibrosis) within which lies a central soft ‘jelly like’ substance (nucleus pulposis). If the outer core tears or becomes injured it can allow some of the inner core to squirt (herniated/prolapse/bulge) and potentially compromise the function of structures in close proximity to the injury. Namely the spinal cord and the spinal nerves.”

“A: As with any health intervention one always has to be aware of and weigh the benefits and risks of a particular intervention. Chiropractic, like other forms of manual therapy can for some patients cause an aggravation of their presenting symptom pattern. As the saying goes ‘sometimes it has to get worse before it gets better’. Often times the discomfort is short lived and as function and range of motion improve in the area of concern the discomfort subsides. There have been rare reported cases of disc injuries and rib fractures, although no scientific evidence has demonstrated that such injuries are caused, or may be caused by chiropractic or other chiropractic treatment.
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“A: Yes, chiropractic adjustments are very safe. In Canada millions of adjustments are performed each and every year. There has been a growing body of research that has looked into the incidence of neck manipulation and vascular incidents, like stroke. Research and scientific evidence have not shown a cause and effect relationship between chiropractic adjustments and the occurrence of stroke. One of the most recent studies into the safety of neck adjustments further confirmed the safety of this procedure. A study conducted in 2007 looked at over 19,000 patients and tracked over 50,000 neck adjustments and found NO incidence of serious adverse events. Long term use of non-prescription pain relievers comprises a far greater risk of serious complication compared to neck adjustments. In fact patients who visit a chiropractor are no more likely to experience a stroke than patients who visit a family physician.
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“A: The answer to both of these questions is NO. Each patients treatment is as unique as they are and is tailored to their specific needs and requirements. Patients should avoid attempting to self adjust themselves as it is not possible to do so and is furthermore downright dangerous to do so. Awkwardly turning or twisting your spine to elicit the ‘pop’ commonly heard with a chiropractic adjustment should be avoided. You may in fact be making your condition worse by creating more mobility (hypermobility) causing unstable joints to potentially become more unstable.
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“A: The simple answer is absolutely YES. Numerous studies have supported the safety and efficacy of chiropractic in the normalization of nervous system function through working on and with the musculoskeletal system. Other things that have been shown to positively affect your musculoskeletal system include proper rest/sleep, exercise (be it cardio or weight training), eating a balanced diet, reducing stress levels and paying particular attention to times when you sit/lift at home or at work. Just as your dentist would recommend daily flossing/brushing of your teeth and regular checkups for optimum dental hygiene, or your mechanic would recommend regularly servicing your car to keep it running smoothly, your chiropractor will advise you on all of the above to be at your best.
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