Frequently Asked Questions
- What is chiropractic?
- What is a chiropractic adjustment?
- What is a vertebral subluxation?
- What does Vertebral Subluxation Complex mean?
- How does your spine affect your health?
- Is a chiropractic adjustment safe?
- Is chiropractic evidence-based?
- Why is there a popping sound when a joint is adjusted?
- Why should we continue with chiropractic care when the pain is gone?
- If I start chiropractic care, will I be obligated to have care forever?
- Does insurance cover chiropractic care?
The term chiropractic comes from the Greek derivative ‘’chiro-praktikos’’ meaning ‘’done by use of the hands’’.
Chiropractic is a health discipline that focuses on the inherent capability of the human body to maintain health and heal without medication or surgery (homeostasis). It focuses on the relationship between structure (primarily the spine) and function as coordinated by the nervous system.
The chiropractic approach is both preventive and curative. It aims not only to bring you relief, but also to ensure that you never develop symptoms or pain related to a malfunction in your spine or your other joints. To achieve this, the chiropractor will primarily use chiropractic adjustments, a specialized form of joint manipulation.
A chiropractor is a partner in the recovery and maintenance of your health. He is trained to give you the best advice to optimize your health and prevent the onset of health problems.
The chiropractic profession is recognized by the Office des professions du Québec, whose primary mission is to protect the public. To do this, the College of Chiropractors of Québec establishes standards of practice that all chiropractors must meet.
The chiropractic adjustment is a therapeutic procedure (joint manipulation) in which the strength, direction, amplitude and velocity are controlled. The chiropractic adjustment, whose primary goal is to restore and improve mobility or alignment of a joint, can be practiced on joints of the spine and other joints in the human body. This procedure also influences the articular physiology and neurophysiology. Only a chiropractor has adequate training to perform adjustments with precision.
Subluxation is a term used to describe a problem with a spinal joint. The World Health Organization defines a "subluxation" as a functional problem related to a joint and the structures associated with the joint such as the muscles, tendons and nerves. Dysfunction can present itself in various ways such as pain, inflammation and restricted movement of the joint. Some types of dysfunction, such as a sprain, will not appear on an x-ray. Chiropractors are trained to identify dysfunction that does not appear on imaging through the use of manual examination and non-imaging diagnostic tests.
Vertebral subluxation complex is a term used to describe issues associated with a joint that is not functioning properly. For example, there may be loss of motion, changes in the muscles that attach to the spine, irritation or injury to the nerves that radiate out from the vertebrae, degeneration of the disks or inflammation of tissues in the spinal region. Chiropractors are well trained to identify the components - or complex - of problems that may accompany a joint problem. Some of the indicators include tenderness, soreness and stiffness, spasm, tightness or weakness, headache and reduced mobility. Pain may or may not be felt. Chiropractors typically use a combination of imaging such as x-ray, manual examination, patient history, and non-imaging physical tests to determine what is taking place physiologically.
The spine protects your nervous system, the spinal cord and spinal nerves, the same way your skull protects your brain. Since the nervous system controls all systems in your body, you must ensure that the spine plays its protective role. The spine is part of our musculoskeletal system and therefore, is essential to all human movement and to maintain good posture and efficient mobility. A healthy spine is necessary to keep physically fit and move freely in our daily life.
Chiropractic adjustment or manipulation is a drug-free, non-invasive approach to common musculoskeletal conditions such as headache, neck and back pain. As such, it is a low risk therapy. Complications resulting from adjustment are rare.
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, and 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 lower 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.
Adjustment of a joint may result in release of a gas bubble between the joints that makes a popping sound – it’s exactly the same as when you "crack" your knuckles. It is not painful. It is caused by the change of pressure within the joint resulting in gas bubbles being released.
Symptoms and pain often represent only the tip of the iceberg of a more serious health problem. Chiropractors don’t only treat the pain; they also try, as much as they can, to get to the source of the problem to prevent further injuries. All too often, pain is the last sign of a more serious syndrome. Pain is also likely to be the first thing to disappear with treatments; so by stopping treatments right when the symptoms disappear may mean you are not completely healed.
Any well trained chiropractor will talk to you about preventive or wellness care. Preventive care for your spine can be compared to the way most people approach their dental care. We see our dentist on a regular basis to be sure our dental hygiene is up to par and to correct problems (cavities) before symptoms appear. In the chiropractic field, we want to make sure spinal hygiene (posture, exercise, traumas, etc.) is good and that subluxations are corrected before they cause symptoms. Your chiropractor will always recommend what is best for your global health. Whether it is for temporary relief or to maintain optimal health, the frequency of your visits is ALWAYS a personal choice, the same way you choose to eat healthy or exercise regularly.
In most cases it does. Usually, insurance companies will place two types of limitations on coverage; either a limit on the total dollar amount they will pay, or a limit on the total number of times you can visit the chiropractor in a given year. It is best to contact your insurance company to obtain specific details. We can provide a receipt for each visit or you can accumulate your treatments and submit receipts to your insurance company at regular intervals. We can also print year-end tax receipts.
