Mississauga Chiropractor - Chiropractic FAQs

1.	How does chiropractic treatment work?
2.	How do i know if I have a subluxation?
3.	What is the cause of subluxations?
4.	What's an adjustment?
5.	How do I know if I should see a chiropractor?
6.	Can chiropractors treat other problems besides back problems?
7.	How many adjustments will i need?
8.	What causes the popping sound during an adjustment?
9.	How long will I require chiropractic care?
10.	Will i receive any medication for my pain?
11.	How successful is chiropractic care?
12.	Are chiropractic adjustments safe?
13.	Can i adjust myself?
14.	I recently had back surgery, can I still have chiropractic care?
15.	I have Osteoporosis, can I still get chiropractic care?
16.	I am pregnant, can I still see a chiropractor?
17.	Does my insurance policy cover chiropractic care?
18.	Can a chiropractor be compared to a medical doctor?
19.	Are chiropractors educated as well medical doctors?
20.	What if chiropractic care does not make me better?

Answers

1.	How does chiropractic treatment work?
A.	Your body is a self-healing, self-regulating organism controlled by your nervous system. In order to continuously heal and regulate itself, electrical impulses must constantly travel from your brain down your spinal cord to every tissue in your body. Signals sent back to the brain confirm whether the various cells and organs in your body are working correctly. Improper bone or tissue alignment, called a subluxation, can interfere with this informational exchange by compressing or irritating nerves. This undermines the body's feedback mechanism and compromises certain functions. Specific chiropractic adjustments can help relieve the stress on nervous system and improve the brain's regulation and control of the body.
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2.	How do i know if I have a subluxation?
A.	Back pain and headaches are typical symptoms of subluxation but many people who have mild subluxation may not even be aware of it. Like the early stages of many gradual ailments, subluxations can be present before warning signs appear. A thorough chiropractic examination can show the location and severity of subluxations throughout the body.
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3.	What is the cause of subluxations?
A.	There are three primary causes of subluxations: Physical This includes injuries from falls or accidents or nerve damage that results from repetitive motion. Chemical Such as alcohol, medication, illicit drugs, pollution, environmental toxins, poor dietary choices. Emotional Emotions such as anxiety, anger, fear, worry and stress can all lead to subluxations.
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4.	What's an adjustment?
A.	Spinal adjustments are one of the key methods by which chiropractors correct subluxations. These adjustments add motion to spinal joints that are not moving properly. Various adjustment methods can be used depending on the condition of the patient and the severity of the subluxation. These include using the doctors hands to adjust, the use of a special adjustment table, an instrument, or the force of gravity.
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5.	How do I know if I should see a chiropractor?
A.	We treat a variety of conditions including back pain, headaches, numbness, sciatica, arthritis, tennis elbow, etc. During your first visit we will conduct a thorough examination to identify the root causes of your condition(s). If we determine that your condition is not related to chiropractics, we will refer you to the appropriate health professional.
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6.	Can chiropractors treat other problems besides back problems?
A.	As a whole life practice we are an effective source of preventative maintenance and wellness care. Although our focus is on maintaining a healthy spinal column, we treat all types of soft tissue disorders throughout the body. We view the body and mind as an interconnected system consisting of physiological and biomechanical aspects including structural, spinal, musculoskeletal, neurological, vascular, nutritional, emotional and environmental relationships. Unlike other medical professions that rely on drugs and surgery, chiropractors use natural treatments and seek to facilitate the body's own self-healing mechanisms. We are also a very knowledgeable resource in matters of stress management, work-place safety, injury prevention, postural correction and nutritional counseling.
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7.	How many adjustments will i need?
A.	The number of adjustments varies based on the condition of each patient and how well they respond to treatment.. Many patients start to feel better within a week or two of frequent visits. Visits become less frequent as your spine stabilizes. In severe cases, complete healing can take months or even years.
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8.	What causes the popping sound during an adjustment?
A.	Lubricating fluids separate the bones (vertebrae) of each spinal joint. Some adjusting methods can produce a sound when the gas and fluids in the joint shift. It is not unlike the sound you hear when you remove a suction cup; this is the sound of air rushing in to fill the vacuum. The sound is nothing to be concerned about and it does not reflect the quality or value of the adjustment.
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9.	How long will I require chiropractic care?
A.	Each patient's needs depend on the severity of their condition and their overall health. Some patients experience almost instant relief; others may take several weeks or months to respond fully. Many factors can affect the healing process. How long have you had your problem? Are you getting sufficient rest, exercise and nutrition? Do you smoke?
	After your initial phase of care is completed, we may recommend an infrequent course of care to monitor your condition and identify recurring problems before they impact your health and lifestyle.
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10.	Will i receive any medication for my pain?
A.	We may recommend some natural remedies but we do not prescribe drugs. For many conditions we can advise you on how to use ice to control painful symptoms. When properly applied, ice can have an analgesic effect without the side effects of pain medications.
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11.	How successful is chiropractic care?
A.	About 80 - 85% of patients respond very well to treatment and experience pain reduction and improvement in their condition.
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12.	Are chiropractic adjustments safe?
A.	Yes. Chiropractic adjustments are very safe. Chiropractic care is non-invasive, therefore, the body's response to chiropractic care is far more predictable than its reactions to surgical procedures or drug treatments. Statistically, adjustments are about 100 times safer than taking an over- the-counter pain reliever. A thorough exam can identify the rare person for whom chiropractic care may be unsuitable. Chiropractic adjustments are performed about a million times every working day across North America.
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13.	Can i adjust myself?
A.	No, self adjustment is not recommended. Some patients can make their joints "pop", but that's not an adjustment. If joints are not mobilized properly or if they are mobilized repeatedly, this can prevent injured ligaments and muscles from healing.
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14.	I recently had back surgery, can I still have chiropractic care?
A.	Yes. Surgery often causes instability in the joints near the surgical location. These joints will be the focus of your chiropractic care.
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15.	I have Osteoporosis, can I still get chiropractic care?
A.	Yes. When developing a treatment plan, we take into consideration the unique circumstances of each patient. We will tailor your treatment and adjustments to your age, size, and condition(s).
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16.	I am pregnant, can I still see a chiropractor?
A.	Pregnant mothers often find that a chiropractic adjustment can improve their wellbeing throughout the pregnancy and even make delivery easier for themselves and their baby. If you are expecting, be sure to let us know since we will adjust certain procedures accordingly.
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17.	Does my insurance policy cover chiropractic care?
A.	Most supplementary insurance plans cover some percentage of your chiropractic care. Check with your insurance benefits advisor to determine the portion that will be covered. If you have been in an automobile accident, your vehicle insurance coverage should include chiropractic care and physiotherapy. If you don't have insurance coverage, this is not a reason to put off chiropractic care, your health affects everything you do and it is your most valuable possession. Find out how we make chiropractic care affordable for everyone.
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18.	Can a chiropractor be compared to a medical doctor?
A.	Only from the standpoint that both professions are concerned for the health and well-being of their patients. Chiropractors are specialists in spinal care, just as dentists specialize in tooth care and optometrists specialize in eye care. If our tests determine that your condition is better handled by another form of health professional, we will refer you to another doctor (usually an orthopedist or neurologist) for further testing.
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19.	Are chiropractors educated as well medical doctors?
A.	To receive a doctor of chiropractic degree, candidates must complete extensive undergraduate prerequisites and four years of graduate-level instruction and internship at an accredited chiropractic institution. Comprehensive knowledge of all systems of the body and diagnostic procedures enable the DC to thoroughly evaluate a patient, address disorders relating to the spine and determine the need for referral to another health care provider.
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20.	What if chiropractic care does not make me better?
A.	If we are not unable to identify and correct the cause of your specific health problem, we will refer you to another specialist who may be able to help. Your health is our primary goal.
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