What conditions do Chiropractors treat?
Chiropractors are experts trained in the neuromusculoskeletal system. They
diagnose and treat disorders of the spine and other body joints by adjusting
the spinal column or through other corrective manipulation. Chiropractors
provide conservative management of neuromusculoskeletal disorders including,
but not limited to, back, neck and head pain (over 90 percent of conditions
treated). They also advise patients on corrective exercises, lifestyle and
nutrition.
What happens during a treatment?
During your first visit, the chiropractor will want to know about your health
history as well as your current complaint. Your home and work life as well
as your level of physical activity may also affect your health, so don't be
surprised to be asked questions about these. Although chiropractors use their
hands for most treatments, they also use other methods such as heat, light,
specialized adjusting instruments, ultrasound, electrotherapy, personalized
exercise programs, muscle-testing and balancing. Your chiropractor can also
give you information and guidance on how you can stay healthy through proper
nutrition, exercise and lifestyle changes.
What kind of education and training do chiropractors have?
Chiropractors are educated as primary contact health care practitioners, with
an emphasis on neuromusculoskeletal diagnosis and treatment. Preparation for
the practice of chiropractic is concentrated on three areas: basic training
in the biological and health sciences, specialized training in the chiropractic
discipline, and extensive clinical training. Becoming a chiropractor in Canada
requires a minimum of 7 years of post-secondary education including no less
than 4 years of full-time classroom and clinical instruction at an institution
approved by the Council on Chiropractic Education Canada.
What results can I expect from treatment?
That depends on your condition. The length of time you have had the problem,
your age and the degree of your disability all affect the length of your treatment.
Your chiropractic doctor should tell you the extent of treatment recommended,
and how long you can expect it to last. One of the main reasons people choose
chiropractic is that they often get quick results. Individual cases vary and
chronic conditions obviously need more treatment, but Workers' Compensation
Board studies show that people with low back pain get back to work much faster
with chiropractic care. You might also consider the benefits of regular chiropractic
adjustments even when you feel healthy. Sometimes you won't know you have
a disorder of the neuromusculoskeletal system until it becomes acute and painful.
So, just as you see your dentist to have your teeth checked and your optometrist
for eye exams, regular visits to your chiropractor can catch related health
conditions early, often preventing them from developing into major problems.
Remember, your spine is every bit as susceptible to wear and tear as your
teeth and your eyes so you should look after it.
How many people see chiropractors?
Statistics Canada data found that over 11 percent (3 million) Canadians consulted
a chiropractor in 1996. The figures today are closer to 15 percent, or over
4 million Canadians annually.
Is chiropractic evidence-based?
Chiropractic is a healing discipline firmly grounded in science. Few other
health care interventions have been assessed as extensively as chiropractic
manipulation, both in terms of safety and effectiveness. There have been at
least six formal government studies into chiropractic worldwide over the last
25 years and all have concluded that contemporary chiropractic care is safe,
effective, cost-effective and have recommended public funding for chiropractic
services. In addition, there have been countless scientific clinical studies
assessing the appropriateness, effectiveness, and/or cost-effectiveness of
spinal manipulation or chiropractic manipulation, most notably for low back
pain. The Canadian Institutes for Health Research (CIHI) now offers research
grants in partnership with the Canadian Chiropractic Association to chiropractors
and other scientists for high quality, chiropractic research.
Is chiropractic regulated in Canada?
Like medicine and dentistry, chiropractic is a self-regulating profession,
and each provincial chiropractic regulatory body has the authority to grant
a license to practice chiropractic. There are Chiropractic Acts in all 10
provinces and the Yukon Territory which establish a self-regulatory process
which includes extensive testing for licensure. In all provinces, licensure
requirements include university studies followed by graduation from an accredited
chiropractic institution, and passing national and provincial board examinations.
Is chiropractic treatment appropriate for children?
Yes, children may benefit from chiropractic care. Children are very physically
active and experience many types of falls and blows from activities of daily
living as well as from participating in sports. Injuries such as these may
cause many symptoms including back and neck pain, stiffness, soreness or discomfort.
Chiropractic care is always adapted to the individual patient. It is a highly
skilled treatment, and in the case of children, very gentle. While there is
some clinical evidence that musculoskeletal treatment of infants may have
positive effects, well-controlled studies are required to verify the benefits
that are seen in clinical practice.
Is every patient's treatment the same?
The treatment a patient receives is related to the specific condition diagnosed
by the chiropractor, and will vary from person to person depending on each
persons unique situation.
Can chiropractic treatment provide a preventative function?
Clinical experience suggests that individuals with chronic conditions such
as degenerative joint disease (osteoarthritis) or recurrent neck pain, back
pain or headaches may experience less frequent and less severe symptoms when
under regular chiropractic care. This also applies to individuals in highly
stressful situations and those who experience repetitive physical and postural
strain from their daily activities. Whether ongoing chiropractic treatment
can prevent back pain from occurring in the first place, or prevent a previous
condition from re-occurring, requires further study.
That's like asking the difference between a physician and a dentist: they
are different professions within the health care spectrum. Both chiropractors
and physicians are legally entitled to use the title "doctor". As
the appellation MD means "Doctor of Medicine", so DC means "Doctor
of Chiropractic". The role of chiropractic is complementary to other
areas of primary health care. Chiropractic is not, for example, a replacement
for medical care, but may offer an alternative to medication and surgery in
appropriate circumstances.
Do chiropractors refer patients to medical doctors when necessary?
Yes, like medical doctors, chiropractors refer patients to other health professionals
when they feel it is appropriate. Chiropractors are well trained to recognize
risk factors as well as individual disease patterns and will not hesitate
to make a referral when it is in the best interest of the patient's health.
Does chiropractic treatment require a referral from an MD?
No. A patient does not have to be referred. Chiropractors are legislated as
primary contact health care professionals in every province in Canada. This
means that patients can consult them directly.
Do chiropractors take a medical history?
Like MD's, the chiropractor will take a detailed health history during the
first visit, prior to initial treatment. This will include details on lifestyle
and risk factors to give the chiropractor a full picture of the patient's
health in order to determine the best treatment. As well, a detailed health
history is important to rule out any contraindications to treatment and to
fully investigate risk factors before a diagnosis and treatment recommendation
can be reached.