What sort of training do Chiropractors receive?

In Canada, chiropractic is a regulated health profession. Chiropractor education and training is a rigorous process similar to that of medical training, requiring a minimum of seven years of post-secondary education. Following their undergraduate degree, students of chiropractic must complete a four year (4500 hour) classroom and clinical program in a fully accredited chiropractic college.

Chiropractic doctors specialize in the management of neuromusculoskeletal disorders including, but not limited to, back, neck and head pain. Your chiropractor is well trained to treat and manage conditions resulting from joint, ligament, muscle, tendon, nerve and spinal disorders. D.C. stands for Doctor of Chiropractic

What is a chiropractic ‘adjustment’

The words “chiropractic adjustment” describes the careful, controlled pressure your chiropractor uses to restore your spinal bones to a normal motion or position. When these bones are out of alignment, the nervous system can become irritated resulting in headaches, backaches, numbness and tingling. Restoring them to proper position results in improved health and comfort. After years of professional training (including a two year clinical internship treating patients), chiropractors become experts at performing safe and efficient chiropractic adjustments.

Is chiropractic only for adults? Can children be adjusted?

Many problems seen in adulthood began in childhood. Bumps and falls that happen during a child’s growing years often set the stage for scoliosis, “growing pains” and weakened immune systems. Keep in mind that chiropractic results are achieved much quicker on children than adults. This is similar to the scenario in which quick results occur when children wear dental braces as opposed to adults. Your chiropractor will be sure to use modified adjusting techniques tailored to a child’s size, weight and unique spinal problems.

Do Chiropractors only treat back pain?

Research shows that chiropractic care is one of the safest and most effective types of care for lower back pain. However, chiropractic can also help many other conditions not usually associated with spinal function, such as headaches, migraines, neck pain, joint pain, stress, menstrual pain, and tendonitis.

Won't it be too expensive?

Chiropractic has been proven through research to be three times more cost-effective than medical treatment. Unfortunately, Alberta Health Care only covers part of your chiropractic care. Our health care system seems to be based on crisis care, rather than wellness care. It is becoming more and more our responsibility to maintain our health. Regular chiropractic care has been proven to decrease lost days of work, increase energy, and increase quality of life. In the long run, wellness care is very inexpensive. It becomes a lifestyle choice, like spending money on bottled water, vitamins, or a gym membership.

Do spinal adjustments hurt?

The spinal adjustment itself does not hurt; however, you may have some soreness after your first adjustment, similar to starting a new exercise program.

Can adjustments cause a stroke?

The chance of having a stroke from a chiropractic adjustment is about 1 in 1,000,000. You have a better chance of being struck by lightning. You are welcome to discuss this concern with your chiropractor directly if you have questions.

Is it harmful or dangerous?

It has been established by the U.S. Government that chiropractic is the safest and most effective treatment for back pain. Complications stemming from chiropractic adjustments are far rarer than adverse effects of common over-the-counter medication.

Is there any scientific proof that it works?

There have been hundreds of studies proving its validity in the healthcare arena. Please feel free to discuss with your chiropractor if you require further information.

Once you go, do you always have to go?

Treatment lengths vary from person to person, and from condition to condition. Usually nerve injuries caught in time respond symptomatically to fewer visits. Chronic conditions are generally more stubborn and difficult to manage. It also depends on the care you choose. Lifetime chiropractic is a choice much like exercising or taking vitamins. The choice to maintain good spinal health is always up to you.

Does the cracking cause arthritis?

There is a saying in orthopedics that “motion is lotion”. Lack of function or trauma to a joint is what causes arthritis. Improving joint function through chiropractic actually reduces the risk of osteoarthritis (the wear-and-tear disease).

I went to a chiropractor once and it didn’t help me.

Just like exercising once, or dieting for one day, you cannot expect your body to respond quickly. It takes time to develop a problem and therefore time to fix it. Different chiropractors use different approaches. Don’t discount chiropractic because you only tried it once. That would be like never getting your hair cut again because you once got a haircut you didn’t like.