Frequently Asked Chiropractic Questions

A chiropractor is a doctor whose expertise is primarily focused on the diagnosis and care of spinal joint or extremity joint restrictions/dysfunction (subluxations). Chiropractors use their hands or a small instrument to apply a gentle controlled force called an adjustment, to a spinal or extremity joint with the goal of restoring proper movement, alignment, and function.

Yes, similar to medical doctors' chiropractors have at least 7 years of post-secondary education. This training includes a minimum of 4,200 hours of laboratory, classroom, and clinic experience which qualifies a Doctor of Chiropractic to both diagnose and care for people.

The Chiropractic profession was established in 1895 by Daniel David Palmer. The word "chiropractic" comes from the Greek word meaning "done by hand". Palmer started the Palmer School of chiropractic in 1897 which still exists today.

Chiropractic care is proven to help with many disorders such as migraines and headaches, muscle strain, neck pain, chronic back pain, carpal tunnel pain, jaw pain, numbness and tingling, and more.

Chiropractic adjustments are extremely safe when they are performed by a trained/licensed Doctor of chiropractic.

There are many chiropractic techniques, the most common we use are Diversified, Gonstead, Thompson, and instrument adjusting.

Some conditions we care for and assist with include:

• Headaches
• Back pain
• Pregnancy-related back pain
• Pain and stiffness in the neck
• Pain between the shoulder blades
• Hip pain
• Shoulder pain
• Numbness and tingling
• Extremity pain
• Arthritis pain
• Athletic and sport injuries
• Whiplash disorders
• Spinal disc Injuries
• Bursitis
• Tendonitis
• TMJ pain
• Sciatic pain
• Poor posture

Chiropractic care is safe effective during pregnancy to help manage back pain, hip pain and to help with normal joint function. It can also help establish normal pelvic balance over the course of your pregnancy.

There normally is little to no pain experienced during an adjustment. Typically, if you were not in a lot of pain prior to the adjustment, you will not be sore after. It is possible to experience some mild soreness or minor tenderness after a visit if the joint worked on was already aggravated or injured, but typically does not last and is followed by relief.

The cracking sound that may be heard during a chiropractic adjustment, also known as joint cavitation, is the result of tiny pockets of gas that are in the joints of the spine being released. It is the same sound you hear when a finger joint pops.

The only time removal of clothing and wearing a gown is necessary is when there is metal in your clothing and we are performing an X-ray, which is typically only done on your initial visit with the chiropractor. To avoid removing any clothing and wearing a gown we recommend wearing clothing with no metal. (sports bra, yoga-type material, avoid buttons, zippers, and jewelry).

Yes. Daily stress, poor posture, and injuries can cause joint restriction and dysfunction that can impact your child's overall health. Chiropractic care is recommended to provide gentle and non-invasive treatment to help correct underlying issues before they become more permanent and to support healthy development.

• Minimum of 3 years of university (toward a bachelor's degree in science)
• Graduate from an accredited 4-year Doctor of Chiropractic program
• Complete over 4200 hours of chiropractic education with a special focus on human anatomy biomechanics, physiology, and chiropractic manual therapy.
• Successfully pass a set of 3 standardized board exams that test knowledge in the sciences, assessment, diagnosis, and treatment in written and practical settings.
• Register with the appropriate provincial regulatory chiropractic governing body.
• Maintain active standing with continuing education courses to keep up with new research and treatment options.

Our goal is to provide the best, most effective care possible in the least number of sessions. It is not possible to know in advance exactly how many chiropractic treatments you will need. Every person's situation is unique and will require unique treatment protocols. A treatment plan based on your individual condition will be given to you upon assessment.

In our office, when we are trying to resolve a chiropractic condition, it is typical to start with 2-3 treatments per week (usually recommended one week at a time as needed) until you and the doctor feel your condition is 75-80% resolved. At that point, it is common to start spacing the appointments out until an appropriate interval is achieved to keep the joints healthy and functioning properly from daily stress build-up, typically somewhere within a month.

No. We do not use long-term care plans or financial contracts of any kind.

While chiropractic care deals with joint restrictions/dysfunction in your body, massage therapy can help with the soft tissues that support your spine and aid in the healing process. Massage does not replace chiropractic treatment but complements the recovery and maintenance of the overall care protocol.