COMMON QUESTION INDEX
WHAT IS CHIROPRACTIC?
The word “chiropractic” means “to be done by hand.” Chiropractors use adjustments to restore joint function and support the nervous system.
Chiropractic care is a patient-centred, non-invasive, hands-on, regulated health care profession focused on your spine, muscles, joints and their connection to the nervous system.
Chiropractors focus on assessing the health and function of your spine and nervous system and provide care to facilitate, support and promote healing and optimal function.
Your spine, muscles, and nervous system as a whole supports your body, keeps your body stable, protects your organs, and keeps you moving. It also connects directly to other vital systems in your body, which is why health care professionals, researchers, and the wider health community trust chiropractors to assess and provide care to help support this vast system.
WHAT IS AN ADJUSTMENT?
An adjustment is a highly-skilled and precise input into the spinal joints (or other joints of the body) to restore proper movement and allow for improved integration between the spine and nervous system.
There are a number of safe, specific, and gentle techniques that are utilized to help improve mobility, overall function and relieve symptoms.
The short answer to this question is, “It depends.”
For example, the number of recommended adjustments may depend on why you sought chiropractic care in the first place. Were you concerned with pain, recovery from an injury, or did you seek care to promote your overall health and wellness?
When the initial pain or injury has been relieved and chiropractic care can move into the area of general wellness care and health maintenance. This choice is yours. The number of adjustments is a partnership between the chiropractor and the patient.
We work together to determine overall goals and set up an appropriate care plan.
Many patients find relief in their initial period of care. However there may be a reconstructive or healing phase of care as scar tissue, compensation patterns, and postural imbalances can build around the spine and can take some time to improve. This stage seeks to improve the strength and flexibility of soft tissues surrounding the spine and/or area of the original concern.
Beyond this phase, chiropractic care has the potential to help support overall wellness and optimal function through integrating healthy spinal movement, nervous system function, and a healthy lifestyle.
HOW MANY ADJUSTMENTS WILL I NEED?
WHAT COMMON ISSUES DOES CHIROPRACTIC ADDRESS?
Newborns & Children
Chiropractic adjustments can be very useful in helping people with a variety of concerns. We aim to address the underlying cause of nervous system stress within the body that is contributing to the issues or concerns and provide a plan of care to facilitate healing and optimal function.
We don’t have a magic wand for everything that ails you, but we do have resources to assist with healing from the inside out.
Pregnancy related low back pain, pelvic pain, and the associated issues that arise as the body adapts to the changes
Sacral imbalance throughout pregnancy.
We are certified in “The Webster Technique” – a specific way to assess and restore balance within the pelvis and associated structures, as dysfunction in this area of mom’s body could impact optimal fetal positioning for birth and delivery.
Postnatal concerns – providing help for new moms in the fourth trimester adjust to their new body, helping them heal and adapt to the new activities of daily life (nursing, carrying their child, sleep deprivation, core and pelvic floor strengthening, etc.).
Identifying musculoskeletal dysfunction that newborns may be facing as this may result in challenges with feeding (appropriate latch/suck), jaw issues, cranial-sacral concerns, etc.
Help with cranial and cervical spine concerns: torticollis, head tilts, plagiocephaly, etc.
Ensuring motor development during the first year of life (and beyond) is on target – tummy time, proper crawling technique, etc.
Childhood assessment and care for continued optimal growth and function, corrective exercises for retained primitive reflexes, help with injuries from sport/activity, etc.
Pregnancy & Postnatal
Adults & Teens
May help with alleviating symptoms from postural strain of daily living (desk work, computer work, driving, and use of various devices) as these postures can cause pain and stiffness in the neck, shoulders, back, arms, hands, chest, abdomen, hips, legs, feet
May help improve frequency and severity of certain types of headaches, especially those related to lifestyle habits
May help with healing from injuries and trauma to the body from falls, accidents, and athletic injuries (i.e. whiplash, sprain/strain, etc.)
May support improved function, mobility, and ease for those diagnosed with scoliosis at any phase of life
May help alleviate overall stress and tension that the body holds on to from the modern day challenges of life
These are just some of the reasons we see various people. You are welcome to reach out to us if there is something you are experiencing and if you are wondering if chiropractic care could help.
We understand you may have been to a chiropractor before or you are in a lot of pain and may want to come in for an adjustment without an assessment - but - an initial thorough assessment is necessary in order to ensure you are in the right place and that we can provide you with our best comprehensive care.
CAN I BOOK AN ADJUSTMENT APPOINTMENT WITHOUT FIRST HAVING AN ASSESSMENT? WHY NOT?