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FAQs
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Frequently Asked Questions
An adjustment is a highly-skilled and precise movement usually applied by hand to the vertebrae of the spine or other joints of the body. An adjustment corrects the joint to restore proper movement and improve function. When a joint is adjusted, an air bubble may escape causing a popping noise, similar to when you crack your knuckles. Depending on the nature of the problem, your chiropractor may also utilize joint mobilization, muscle release techniques, muscle stimulation and therapeutic exercises to relieve your pain and get you moving again.
Following three years of university education, chiropractors acquire their skills through a rigorous four-year, full -time accredited academic program including internship. Chiropractors must then pass comprehensive Canadian qualifying examinations in order to become licensed to practice. Chiropractors are regulated health professionals.
Chiropractic care is covered extensively by third party payers. These include the federal public service, worker’s compensation boards, the automobile insurance industry, private health care insurers, employee benefit plans, the RCMP, and Veteran’s Affairs Canada.
No. A patient does not need a referral. Chiropractors are legislated as primary contact health care professionals in every province in Canada. This means that patients can consult them directly.
X-rays can play an important role in diagnosis and are taken only when a need has been determined after taking a patient’s case history and conducting a physical examination. Governments in every province have recognized the training and competence of chiropractors to take and interpret X-rays and have granted them this right.
“Subluxation” is a term used to describe a problem with a spinal joint. The World Health Organization defines a “subluxation” as a functional problem related to a joint and the structures associated with the joint such as the muscles, tendons and nerves. Dysfunction can present itself in various ways such as pain, inflammation and restricted movement of the joint. Some types of dysfunction, such as a sprain, will not appear on an x-ray. Chiropractors are trained to identify dysfunction that does not appear on imaging through the use of manual examination and non-imaging diagnostic tests.
Chiropractic is a healing discipline firmly grounded in science. Spinal manipulative therapy (adjustment) provided by doctors of chiropractic has been researched extensively both in Canada and internationally. Chiropractors offer a safe, non-invasive approach to joint and muscle problems.
(Canadian Chiropractic Association, 2013)