What kind of education and training do chiropractors have?

Chiropractors are doctors, so it will come as no surprise that the training and education is very rigorous and demanding. Chiropractors must have 6 years of post-secondary education, including no less than 4500 hours of classroom and clinical instruction at an institution approved by the Council on Chiropractic Education (CCEC).

What are the qualifications required to be licenced as a chiropractor?

Chiropractors must pass national and provincial licencing examinations at the end of their training.

Is chiropractic recognized in all ten provinces?

Yes. All Canadian provinces have laws and regulatory boards which monitor chiropractic practice.

Is Chiropractic new?

Not at all. In fact, chiropractic care has been around and practiced safely for over 100 years. In fact, manipulation as practiced by chiropractors has been documented as being performed in ancient Greek and Egyptian times.

I’d feel better if I knew that many people visited a chiropractor, do you have any numbers?

Over 3 million Canadians see a chiropractor every year, about 12% of the population. The good news is that those numbers are on the rise with more and more Canadians finding out how good they feel when they include chiropractic as part of their health care needs.

Some of my friends have expressed concern about chiropractic safety and effectiveness.

Any health care procedure has the potential for things to go wrong. This can range from the very minor, such as a soft tissue irritation, to something more serious, such as a vascular accident. You should remember, however, that when compared to other therapies, chiropractic is safer and more effective. In fact, people usually undergo chiropractic care before moving onto something that might carry a greater risk.

Is it safer for me to take over-the-counter medications rather than visit a chiropractor?

Many people think nothing of taking pain relievers or drugs to reduce pain, often caused by inflammation. The risk of serious complications or even death attributed to the use of NSAIDS (drugs for reducing inflammation like aspirin and ibuprofen) isis greater than the slight risk of injury with chiropractic treatment for neck pain.

My back and neck hurt terribly; will a chiropractic adjustment be too painful for me?

You may feel light pressure on your spinal joints and/or hear a popping sound, the results of joints opening quickly. Adjustments rarely hurt; instead, you may have immediate pain relief and feel more relaxed.

Something about getting my neck treated makes me nervous. Is it possible my instincts are right?

Up to 3/4 of patients receive neck adjustments as part of their individual treatment. Your chiropractor would not include neck adjustments in your treatment if there were any indication that you would be at risk.

Talk to your chiropractor about your concerns. Your chiropractor will only include neck adjustments in your treatment if there is an objective clinical reason for treating your neck as part of your overall spinal care. Obviously if you present with a neck problem, your chiropractor is going to be treating that particular part of the spine.

Is there a connection between strokes and chiropractic treatments?

There is only a risk with neck treatment and this risk is very rare. The research literature estimates the risk of having a stroke that may be related to chiropractic treatments to be one in several millions of treatments (anywhere from 1 in 400,000 to over 1 in several millions).

In fact, scientific literature suggests that you are about 5 times more likely to be hit by lightning or suffer a stroke in normal daily living, such as from head movements, medication, or vascular disease, then you are in association with chiropractic care.

Every doctor I know refers patients to other specialists. Do chiropractors do this?

Yes, like other doctors, chiropractors refer patients to other professionals when they feel it is appropriate. Chiropractors are extremely 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 your health.

Why do chiropractors ask for a detailed health history?

The more information a chiropractor has about your history, your lifestyle, and any risk factors you have, the more effectively you can be treated. THat means you’ll be asked many in-depth questions at your initial consultation in order to give the doctor a full picture of your health and how best to treat you. Your chiropractor is a doctor who is highly trained and qualified to rule out any contra-indications and fully investigate risk factors before a diagnosis and treatment recommendation can be reached.

Should I volunteer additional information or concerns to my chiropractor?

Yes, by all means, let your chiropractor know everything you think is important. This could include any health histories in your family that are similar or any new symptoms you feel are related. An open line of communication between you and your chiropractor is vital to maximize the potential benefit and safety of your care.

Is Activator better than Diversified?

A:  Not necessarily.  There are two advantages of an Activator instrument-assisted treatment. The first is based on the speed of the device. The instrument is so quick that the body's muscles are less likely to tense in response, and resist the treatment. The lack of muscle resistance may facilitate the treatment effectiveness. The second is that the applied force is localized and does not add any additional torque or bending movement to the joint.

Who is the ideal patient for Activator?

A:  Patient of all ages can enjoy the benefits of an Activator Instrument adjustment.  Because of the gentle, low-force thrust, it is an especially good choice for older patients, or those with Arthritis, Osteoporosis, or other bone-weakening condition.  Also, for patients who prefer not to have their neck adjusted by manual manipulation, Activator Methods would work well as there is not torqueing or twisting of the neck.