Chiropractors are health care professionals who diagnose, treat, and prevent disorders of the neuromusculoskeletal system, including nerves, bones (including the spine), muscles, ligaments, and tendons. Chiropractors have a doctorate degree and are accredited by the DC (Doctor of Chiropractic) upon passing a 3 part board exam. The amount of education is extensive. Both DC’s and MD’s are strong in basic sciences and clinical diagnostics, where one degree may have slightly more training than another in any specific area. Chiropractors focus on the musculoskeletal system instead of MDs, who focus on diseases or what we know as internal medicine.
While chiropractors do not prescribe medications, they may work collaboratively with medical doctors and other healthcare professionals as part of a patient’s healthcare team. In some cases, a patient may receive both chiropractic care and medical treatment, including prescription medications, to address their specific healthcare needs. However, the prescribing of medications is typically within the scope of practice of medical doctors and other healthcare providers with prescription privileges.
Yes, a chiropractor can help with arthritis. Chiropractic care may not cure arthritis, but if you have arthritis and go to a chiropractor, they can help reduce the symptoms of your condition. A chiropractor can help reduce the inflammation in the joint space and help to improve mobility in the area affected by arthritis.
You should go to a chiropractor when you are experiencing joint pains, after a fall, after a motor vehicle accident, throwing out your back, etc. If you wait too long, it can be challenging to pinpoint the damage and affect your recovery time. A chiropractor is great for treating your neck, low back pain, or even knee and hip pain. Chiropractors can also help improve the function of your body’s core muscles which allow you to exercise more efficiently, prevent injuries from occurring and enhance athletic performance.
Most health insurance plans in Alberta will cover chiropractic, but you should always check with your insurance provider to ensure that you are fully aware of your coverage. Based on your plan, some insurance will only cover a percentage of your chiropractic treatment.
Chiropractic care is extremely safe. Chiropractors take great measures to ensure that your treatment will be as comfortable as possible. However, there are some examples where chiropractic treatment is not recommended. Specifically for people who have something such as brittle bone disease or are osteoporotic, depending on the degree of osteoporosis. Chiropractic adjustments may not be an acceptable way to treat that patient. Therefore, a Chiropractor will use different methods in order to help treat that individual, such as instrument-assisted techniques or with tools like the Activator. Overall, chiropractic adjustments are safe.
Chiropractors treat a wide range of injuries and complications, such as scoliosis, low back pain, sprains, strains, myofascial trigger points, joint instability, joint pains, headaches, cluster headaches, cervicogenic headaches, tension headaches, migraines, vertigo, muscle spasms, etc. and in some cases, they can help reduce the symptoms of MS.
The primary cause of TMD is a muscle fault, so-called “trigger points”. The jaw cannot move without muscles. The jaw muscles have two origins and attach to the jawbone on each side, which moves the jaw front-back and sideways. There are many different things that can cause TMD, including teeth grinding, poor posture, stress, injury, infection, arthritis, or other conditions.
Yes. Sciatica pain is often caused by misalignment of the spine, which puts pressure on the nerves in your lower back or buttocks. A chiropractor can adjust subluxations (misaligned vertebra) that are believed to cause nerve interference. This adjustment takes the pressure off the sciatic nerve, allowing for better blood flow promoting healing within your body. With sciatica, many people experience pain in the sciatic nerve, which pierces through the piriformis. When the piriformis is tight, it squeezes on the sciatic nerve, resulting in sciatica. One approach involves reducing the tension in the piriformis, which will help release the tension on the sciatic nerve. Another is also treating the blowback as one unit with the sciatic nerve to decrease the Sciatic nerve’s inflammation.
The crack or pop that you hear is the formation of gas within the joints. That crack is not indicative of a successful adjustment. The actual adjustment comes from putting the force through the joint, the high velocity, low amplitude, adjustment, or force to the joint space. One issue some chiropractors have is “chasing the pop,” where they seek out the sound instead of going based on their physiological assessment.
Chiropractic adjustments and manipulations are completely safe and highly effective for anyone experiencing pain or joint restrictions and mobility issues. Chiropractic adjustments help increase space in the joint, which may also cause an increase in blood flow to the affected area to promote healing. Chiropractic care is meant to improve your health, not cause problems. Chiropractors use specific techniques and methods to help you achieve the best possible results without hurting you in any way. Chiropractic adjustive services can be used on anyone, from infants and toddlers to adults of any age, including senior citizens.
Yes, chiropractors can help reduce and even eliminate neck pain! Neck pain is often caused by misalignment of the spine, which puts pressure on the nerves in your neck. A chiropractor can adjust subluxations (misaligned vertebra) which are believed to cause nerve interference. This adjustment takes the pressure off the nerves, allowing for better blood flow promoting healing within the body.
