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.
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 is a health care profession that focuses on the disorders of the musculoskeletal system and the nervous system and the effects on an individual’s wellness. Chiropractic care is used most often to treat neuromusculoskeletal complaints, including but not limited to back pain, neck pain, pain in the joints of the arms or legs, and headaches. Chiropractors diagnose problems with mobility and offer treatment options like manual adjustments. Chiropractors also work to improve an individual’s overall health by teaching self-care techniques like proper posture and ergonomics.
Symptoms may include pain or tenderness in or around one or both jaws with varying degrees of severity. Other symptoms may include earaches, tightness in your face, headaches, neck pain, clicking sensation when opening mouth wide, and muscular cramps.
In most cases, during your chiropractic session, you will not have to undress. Wear comfortable loose-fitting clothes that will not hamper your movement.
Any age can benefit from chiropractic care. Babies, toddlers, and newborns can receive treatment for conditions. Babies can experience torticollis or a spasm in the sternocleidomastoid muscle that mothers notice during breastfeeding when a child can’t turn their neck. Children, adults, and seniors can benefit from chiropractic care.
It is generally best to leave back cracking to the chiropractors because attempting to do so on your own or with the help of an untrained person can lead to serious injury. Chiropractors are trained professionals who have years of experience in manipulating the spine to alleviate pain and improve mobility. They use specific techniques to apply controlled force to the joints in the spine to relieve pressure, increase range of motion, and improve function. Attempting to crack your back on your own or with the help of someone who is not properly trained and qualified can result in injury to the spine, nerves, muscles, or other structures, which can lead to long-term damage and chronic pain.
There are many things that Chiropractors do. Chiropractic covers a broad spectrum of healthcare treatments and services, which means Chiropractors treat the whole person rather than just specific symptoms. Chiropractic care is used most often to treat neuromusculoskeletal complaints, including but not limited to back pain, neck pain, pain in the joints of the arms or legs, and headaches. Chiropractic treatment can be helpful for other medical problems as well, such as asthma, vertigo, vestigial conditions, carpal tunnel syndrome, and fibromyalgia. A chiropractor focuses on joint pain or muscle pain and may perform adjustments or spinal manipulations in order to provide relief and get you back to your regular activities. A chiropractor can help patients manage their pain with little-to-no medication.
Depending on the practitioner, chiropractic appointments last anywhere from eight minutes to an hour. For Dr. Joshua Konu at Human Integrated Performance he likes to have a minimum of 15 minutes. That gives enough time to do a reassessment and also to provide thorough treatment. For individuals with more than one problem, a 30-minute appointment or an extended appointment will allow enough time to treat multiple areas.
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.
Yes! Hip pain can be caused by misalignment of the spine, which puts pressure on the nerves around the pelvis. A chiropractor has many tools to address this type of pain using spinal adjustments that take pressure off the sources of chronic pain.
