What is chiropractic?

Chiropractic is a healthcare discipline which emphasizes the inherent recuperative power of the body to heal itself without the use of drugs or surgery.

The practice of chiropractic focuses on the relationship between structure (primarily the spine) and function (as coordinated by the nervous system) and how that relationship affects the preservation and restoration of health.

What do chiropractors do?

Your chiropractor is specially trained to examine you for the presence of spinal misalignments, called “vertebral subluxations.”

If detected, your chiropractor will chiropractic adjustments to restore proper spinal movement, correct your subluxations and remove nervous system interference.

Doctors of chiropractic recognize the value and responsibility of working in cooperation with other health care practitioners when in the best interest of the patient.

Chiropractors are leaders in wellness, often emphasizing to their patients the value of nutrition, exercise and mental health, in addition to the physical care provided in the office.

What training do chiropractors have?

Chiropractors are required to have a minimum of three years postsecondary education to entering Chiropractic College; who have also completed a full degree prior to attending.

Accredited chiropractic programs require future chiropractors to complete intensive study in the assessment, diagnosis and management of patients, with total course hours similar to medical school requirements. Chiropractors are required to pass national exams and must belong to regulating bodies in their state or province.

Do I need to keep coming back?

Chiropractic is designed to support each individual patients needs whether you are in acute pain, recovering from injury or are simply looking to maintain good health and wellness.

Many families have realized that keeping the spine in proper working order is a superior strategy compared to waiting for pain to arise. Regular chiropractic checkups should be used in conjunction with other wellness strategies, such as regular exercise and proper nutrition, as an overall strategy to achieve optimal health.

What is a chiropractic adjustment?

A chiropractic adjustment typically involves a specific force applied to a vertebra, aimed at correcting spinal subluxations. The goal of adjusting the spine is to restore proper motion, improve spinal function and remove interference from the nervous system. There are many different adjustments techniques used by chiropractors; your chiropractor will determine what techniques are appropriate for you.

What is a subluxation?

A Vertebral Subluxation Complex or “Subluxation” for short is a misalignment and dysfunction of one of the bones in your spine (vertebrae).  This dysfunction compromises the normal functions of your nerves and can influence your overall health and wellbeing.

Are chiropractic adjustments safe?

Chiropractic is a non-invasive, drug free discipline; therefore the risks associated with it are very low. Adverse events are very rare and your chiropractor will assess you individually for any risks before commencing care.

Chiropractic adjustments are very safe when applied by a licensed chiropractor in a clinical setting.  Chiropractors spend many years of training on examination and correction of the spine and are without a doubt the most qualified professionals to perform spinal adjustments.

Do adjustments hurt?

Generally adjustments do not cause any pain, as your chiropractor is specifically trained to deliver gentle and effective care.  Minor soreness is possible but rare and usually short lived.

How long before I feel better?

Many patients will notice some instant relief following their first adjustments; others will take longer to respond.  Various factors will affect initial symptomatic relief, including length and severity of the presenting concern; along with other co-morbid conditions and compliance to recommendations.

How can adjustments help with problems outside of the spine?

By detecting and corrections subluxations using chiropractic adjustments, interference are removed from the nervous system and your body is allowed to self-heal add self-regulate.  A body free of nervous system interference can make a huge difference in the function of every system in your body. Chiropractors are also specifically trained to examine and treat areas outside of the spine.

What is the “popping” sound I sometimes hear during my adjustments?

The popping noises are caused by gas bubbles being suddenly released from spinal joints during and adjustment. This noise is completely normal and does not accompany any pain or discomfort.

Why do I need adjustments if I’m not in pain?

It’s important for you to know that spinal dysfunction always happens before back pain or neck pain, making most subluxations “silent”.

Your body also has a natural way of altering your mechanics to avoid pain when dysfunction is present, which is a smart move in the short term, but not good if you don’t eventually correct the dysfunction.

Regular assessments of your spinal biomechanics and nervous system function by a chiropractor can help detect, maintain and prevent dysfunction throughout your body.