Chiropractic is a very broad profession with a lot of variation in practice styles between individual chiropractors. This variation is seen both in terms of the health conditions different chiropractors treat and the treatment methods they use.
The answers to the following questions are based on our specific practice style. For this reason, the answers given may vary from what you have heard from other chiropractors.
What is chiropractic?
Chiropractic is a non-invasive health care discipline that involves the use of various forms of manual therapy (eg. manipulation, soft tissue therapy), therapeutic physical activity, nutritional counseling, and lifestyle advice to treat various health conditions.
What conditions do you treat at Smith Chiropractic & Wellness?
The vast majority of conditions we treat are related to bodily aches and pains or loss of physical abilities. Common examples would include back pain, neck pain, headache, and various forms of arm (shoulder, elbow, wrist) or leg (hip, knee, ankle, foot) pain.
On occasion, people have also reported that the care they have received at our clinic has had a positive effect on things other than aches and pains, such as heartburn, earache, asthma, and bowel control.
More information about the various conditions we treat can be found under the ‘What We Treat’ tab.
What is manipulative therapy, also known as chiropractic adjustments?
Manipulative therapy is the application of a controlled force by hand or by a device to a joint (the area where two bones meet) in the body, in order to reduce pain and increase motion.
Are there risks associated with manipulative therapy?
Side effects associated with manipulative therapy are very rare. However, like all health treatments, manipulative therapy does carry a risk of side effects. The side effects associated with manipulative therapy are pain, stiffness, slight swelling, dizziness, local numbness, or radiating pain. These side effects are usually minor and short-lived. The more serious risk that has been reported in association with neck manipulative therapy is stroke. However, this is very rare and is estimated to occur only 1-2 times per million neck adjustments. In our clinic, we use computer-assisted multiple impulse therapy to adjust the spine, which, as far as we are aware, has never been associated with a stroke.
Is chiropractic evidence-based?
Absolutely, the field of chiropractic is evidence-based. Unfortunately, like in every health care field, there may be individual chiropractors who are not evidenced-based.
Why type of education and training do chiropractors have?
A chiropractor who graduates today will have a minimum of 7 years of post secondary education. Chiropractic education covered anatomy, biochemistry, biomechanics, chiropractic skills, diagnosis, geriatrics, immunology, microbiology, neuroscience, nutrition, orthopaedics, pathology, physiology, and radiography, amongst other subject areas.
They also have to engage in a prescribed number of hours of continuing education on a bi-yearly basis.
Does treatment at Smith Chiropractic & Wellness require a referral from a family physician?
No. Since chiropractors are primary contact health professionals, you do not need a referral from your family physician to visit our clinic.
Do chiropractors take a medical history?
Yes. As a general rule, Dr. Smith will take a medial history and perform a physical examination on you before recommending and beginning treatment.
Do insurance plans cover chiropractic?
Yes, the majority of Health insurance plans cover chiropractic care. We will have to check with your insurance company regarding the particulars of your coverage.
Is chiropractic care ongoing?
It depends on the patient and on his or her diagnosis. Many people choose to have periodic check ups once their condition has improved, as they find that regular care keeps them feeling better and reduces the frequency of their flare-ups. For others with ongoing concerns, regular care seems to be the best way to manage their condition. For many others, once their condition has improved, they are discharged from care and encouraged to return should they ever require chiropractic therapy in the future.
Can chiropractic care at Smith Chiropractic & Wellness provide a preventative function?
Yes, many of our patients report that regular chiropractic care helps to reduce the frequency of their flare-ups. This is also supported by current scientific literature.
Do you treat children?
Yes, when a child has a health concern which can be managed by chiropractic care, we will gladly treat them.
Is every patient’s treatment the same?
Not at all. Although the techniques used are the same, the specific area to which the various techniques are applied varies from patient to patient.
Do you refer patients to medical doctors?
Absolutely, when it is necessary for us to do that. Anytime we are faced with a case that is outside of our scope of practice or a situation where a patient fails to respond as would be expected, the patient is referred to the proper health care practitioner.
Do you accept auto accident, personal injury or, Worker’s compensation cases?
Yes. The process is more involved than working with a regular insurance company but we do handle them.
Are x-rays required for care at Smith Chiropractic & Wellness?
In most cases, x-rays are not required. However, if they are required, you will be referred to an external x-ray facility.