What do chiropractors treat?

Doctors of chiropractic treat a variety of neuromusculoskeletal conditions. Some of the common health conditions include:

What kind of education do chiropractors have?

A Doctor of Chiropractic is highly educated and extensively trained to assess, diagnose, treat and prevent conditions and disorders of the spine, joints, muscle and nervous systems. Chiropractors have spent four years at an accredited chiropractic institution following a minimum of three years at undergraduate level university. Thus, chiropractors have at least seven years of post-secondary education and many have completed their undergraduate degrees in related fields.

Chiropractors are regulated primary health care professionals in Canada which means that patients can consult with chiropractors directly. However, chiropractors often work closely with medical doctors and refer to medical doctors when necessary.

How do chiropractors treat?

Chiropractors use various types of modalities in different stages of healing. In the acute stage, where pain management is of utmost importance, chiropractors may use electromodalities such as interferential current (IFC) or electro-acupuncture to bring pain relief to the patient. The doctor may also perform various soft tissue therapies such as muscle release technique to facilitate any tight and painful muscles to return to its original state. In addition, mobilization or manipulative therapy of the surrounding joints may help release any joints that have become restricted due to the injury. Once pain becomes more manageable, active rehabilitative exercises are introduced to help the patient strengthen the muscles necessary to return them to a healthy state. Lastly, laser therapy may also be employed throughout the stages of treatment to increase the speed of healing of the different soft tissues.

Is chiropractic treatment safe?

Chiropractic is widely recognized as one of the safest, drug-free, non-invasive therapies available for the treatment of headache and neck and back pain.

Before any treatment is performed, the chiropractor will explain the plan of treatment along with its benefits and risks. Alternative options will also be provided if the patient does not feel comfortable with the plan of treatment. The treatment is constantly evaluated on its effectiveness and potential side effects, hence complications from chiropractic treatments are rare.

How long should I book for massage?

Generally, the duration of a massage visit is determined by the patient. However, we do recommend the first session to be at least 45 minutes as the registered massage therapist may need time to understand the patient's health history and address any concerns. In addition, a full body massage usually requires a 60 minute appointment.

What can the holistic nutritionist do for me?

A holistic nutritionist performs various analyses on a patient's health, history, diet, and food intake and provides recommendations to optimize health. Many types of people can benefit from visiting a nutritionist. These include: athletes looking for better performance in their sports, patients with allergic reactions to certain foods, patients looking for weight loss, patients with an underlying chronic illness, and patients looking for healthier diets in general. In addition, the holistic nutritionist may recommend certain supplements to help optimize and maintain the patient in a healthy state.

Are these services and products covered under my extended health insurance plans?

Most services and products provided at Advanced Health Centre are covered by extended health plans.

Please provide your insurance card or insurance company booklet on your first visit and our staff will be more than happy to verify your insurance coverage.

What should I expect at my first chiropractic visit?

During your first visit you will be asked to complete some health history and personal information forms.

A thorough review of your specific complaint,including relevant past history and overall health will be conducted with your chiropractor. A physical examination involving movement and provoking of the pain symptoms will be performed to help identify the problem.

Your chiropractor will discuss with you the findings of your examination and explain the most appropriate plan of treatment along with its benefits and risks. If your chiropractor feels that further testing or referral to your family doctor is necessary, they will discuss this with you.

Once you have had an opportunity to discuss your plan of treatment, ask questions and feel comfortable, treatment can begin. The treatment you receive is constantly evaluated along with your improvement at each visit.

During your visit, please feel free to ask us questions at any time. We are more than happy to answer them for you.