Common Chiropractic Questions!
What is chiropractic?
Chiropractic is a healing discipline firmly grounded in science.
Chiropractic is concerned with the care of the entire body, including the skeletal, muscle and nervous systems. and use various diagnostic methods to understand the state of your health.
Chiropractors use various diagnostic methods to understand the state of your health, paying particular attention to your spine and bone structure. The profession specific terminology of “adjustment” involves the spine as one of the primary procedures of care.
Chiropractic Education
Most chiropractors obtain a 4 year medical or science bachelors degree, before achieving their 4 year Doctorate of Chiropractic at a credited institution. According to the American Chiropractic Association, the average chiropractor program involves as many classroom hours as a program that trains medical doctors.
What is an adjustment?
An adjustment is a highly-skilled and precise movement usually applied by hand to the vertebrae of the spine or other joints of the body. An adjustment restores proper movement and improves function of a joint. When a joint is adjusted, an air bubble may escape causing a popping noise, similar to when you crack your knuckles. Depending on the nature of the problem, your chiropractor may also utilize joint mobilization, muscle release techniques, muscle stimulation and therapeutic exercises to relieve your pain and get you moving again.
Why should I see a chiropractor?
Chiropractors are human movement experts. We have extensive education and training on the muscle, bone, and nervous systems of the body. We assess and treat the body as a whole. Our aim is to discover the root of the problem, not just treat the symptoms.
Eight out of ten Canadians will experience back pain at some point in their life. For many people, the pain can keep them away from work, school or even their day-to-day activities. If pain causes interruptions and restrictions in the activities of your daily life then you should consult a health care provider
There are many reasons to seek chiropractic care: Work, accidents, sports injuries, household chores, even the stress of daily living can cause painful joint and spinal problems. We are most commonly known of/for treatment back pain, but we can also treat headaches, sprains/strains, shoulder injuries, ankle injuries, whiplash, chronic pain, and athletic injuries.
Pain should never become a way of life, especially when there is qualified help available.
Even if you do not have painful symptoms, chiropractic care can help you maintain healthy spine and joint function
What are some of the benefits of chiropractic care?
Chiropractic care can:
Improve movement and function in your neck, shoulders, back, torso and extremities
Improve your posture
Provide relief from headaches, neck and back pain
Help prevent work-related muscle and joint injuries
Lead to enhanced athletic performance
Improve your flexibility and range of motion
Relieve pregnancy-related backache
Correct gait, hip and foot problems
Do I need a referral to see a chiropractor?
No. A patient does not need a referral. Chiropractors are legislated as primary contact healthcare professionals in every province in Canada.
Is chiropractic care covered by health insurance?
Chiropractic care is covered extensively by third-party payers.
These include employee benefit plans, the federal public service, worker’s compensation boards, the automobile insurance industry, extended healthcare benefits, the RCMP, Canadian Forces and Veteran’s Affairs Canada.
Check your health plan to determine the coverage available to you for chiropractic care. In British Columbia, depending on your plan MSP will cover 50% of 10 visits per year.