Chiropractic

Chiropractic Therapy

Doctor with Patient

What is Chiropractic Care?

The word chiropractic is derived from the Greek words "cheir"(hand) and "praktikos"(practitioner) meaning "treatment by hand". Chiropractic is a natural, non-invasive approach to health care providing patient assessment, diagnosis and highly skilled treatment. Chiropractors assess patients for disorders related to the spine, pelvis, extremity joints, and their effects on the nervous system.

Chiropractors are also trained to recommend therapeutic exercise, apply manual massage techniques, utilize therapeutic modalities (ultrasound, IFC, TENS etc.), and provide nutritional, dietary and lifestyle counseling.

Chiropractic is one of the largest primary-contact health care professions in Canada with over 4 million Canadians utilizing Chiropractic services each year. For some people chiropractic treatment is like a regular tune-up, to help deal with the daily wear and tear of life. For others, it's simply an effective treatment when pain or discomfort strikes.

Manipulation Therapy

A non-invasive manual procedure that utilizes highly refined skills and carefully controlled set of movements delivered to dysfunctional spinal and extremity joints. The primary goal is to decrease pain, restore physical functioning by improving areas of reduced movement in the joints and supporting tissues, and decreasing muscle tightness or spasm. In addition, specific passive mobilization techniques may be utilized to improve joint mobility and overall function.

Chiropractic Massage Therapy

The application of manual massage techniques designed to mobilize or manipulate soft tissue structures of the body including muscles, tendons, ligaments, connective tissue and joints. Manual massage techniques include trigger point therapy, cross friction therapy, muscle release therapy, vibration therapy and instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization. Soft tissue therapy is aimed at reducing fibrous adhesions (scar tissue) and fascial restrictions, relieving muscle tension, decreasing myofascial pain or discomfort, and restoring physical function of the musculoskeletal system.

Custom Foot Orthotics

Provide support and cushion to your feet, helps to restore the normal balance and alignment of your body and may alleviate or manage pain and discomfort from abnormal foot function.

Exercise Therapy

Involves the rehabilitation, prevention, and management of musculoskeletal conditions to restore, maintain, or enhance movement, function or performance in the areas of sport, recreation, work and exercise.

A therapeutic exercise program may include clinical-based, home or gym exercises designed to restore physical function, optimize performance, improve joint mobility, improve body composition, increase muscular strength and return damaged tissue to pre-injury state.

Education

Chiropractic Education

Canadian chiropractors are required to:

  • complete a minimum of three years of university;
  • complete four years of full-time study at an accredited chiropractic college;
  • receive over 4500 hours of professional education including courses in anatomy, pathology, biomechanics, biochemistry, physiology, neurology, principles of chiropractic, radiology, immunology, microbiology, nutrition, and clinical sciences specifically relating to diagnosis;
  • pass Provincial Regulatory Board exams to practice as a Doctor or Chiropractic.

According to the Regulated Health Professions Act (1991), Chiropractors are one of only five health professionals permitted to use the title doctor.

Safe & Effective Treatment

Projects Team

Adverse reactions from chiropractic treatment are very rare. Chiropractic is widely recognized as one of the safest and most effective drug-free, non-invasive therapies available for the treatment of musculoskeletal conditions including, but not limited to, headache, neck pain and back pain.

Chiropractors are trained to recognize and diagnose conditions that require the expertise of medical specialists and refer patients whenever necessary. Where medical conditions exist, chiropractic care may complement or support medical treatment by relieving musculoskeletal pain or discomfort associated with the condition. Chiropractic care may also be palliative, providing symptomatic relief to patients with chronic conditions. As research advances, evidence continues to accumulate to support the benefits of chiropractic care for a variety of conditions.