Chiropractic

Dr. McIntyre and Dr. McDowall often use spinal adjustments as a treatment method. Following your initial examination, Dr. McIntyre or Dr. McDowall will discuss with you the nature or your condition and whether or not spinal adjustments would be beneficial. Should chiropractic adjustments not suit your comfort level, we will suggest to you our other treatment options.

What do Chiropractors do?

Chiropractors practice a manual approach to health care that includes patient assessment, diagnosis and treatment. In particular, chiropractors assess patients for disorders related to the spine, pelvis, extremity joints, and their effect on the nervous system.

What is an adjustment?

Adjustment is the most common form of treatment utilized by chiropractors in clinical practice. Also known as spinal manipulative therapy, an adjustment is a non-invasive, manual procedure that utilizes the highly refined skills developed through four years of intensive chiropractic education. Adjustment is a carefully controlled procedure delivered by a skilled practitioner to dysfunctional spinal or extremity joints. The primary goal is to decrease pain and restore function by improving areas of reduced movement in the joints and supporting tissues, and decreasing muscle tightness or spasm. Research has repeatedly shown that Chiropractic care is one of the most effective ways of treating musculoskeletal injuries.

Further Information About Chiropractic…

Chiropractic is the largest primary-contact health care profession in Ontario.  It is a non-invasive, hands-on health care discipline that focuses on the neuromusculoskeletal system.  Chiropractors practice a manual approach, providing diagnosis, treatment and preventative care for disorders related to the spine, pelvis, nervous system and joints.  Chiropractors use a combination of treatments, all of which are predicated on the specific needs of the individual patient.  After taking a complete history and diagnosing a patient, a chiropractor can develop and carry out a comprehensive treatment / management plan, recommend therapeutic exercise and other non-invasive therapies, and provide nutritional, dietary and lifestyle counselling.  For many conditions, such as lower back pain, chiropractic care is frequently the primary method of treatment.  Where other conditions exist, chiropractic care may complement or support medical treatment by relieving the neuromusculoskeletal aspects associated with the condition.  Chiropractic care may also be used to provide symptomatic relief for patients with chronic conditions.  According to patient surveys, by treating the neuromusculoskeletal elements of such disorders, chiropractic treatment has been shown to improve the general well-being of the patient.

What is chiropractic?

The word “chiropractic” comes from ancient Greek and means “done by hand.”  Chiropractic adjustment of the joints of the body has been used in health care for many centuries and is at the heart of modern chiropractic care.  Chiropractors are specialists in manual adjustment of the vertebrae of the spine and other joints.  Chiropractic adjustment helps relieve pain and restore normal functioning to the spine, joints and supporting structures of the body - so you can enjoy your everyday activities again as quickly as possible.  Chiropractors are also trained to prescribe therapeutic exercise, provide nutritional counselling, and recommend rehabilitation and injury prevention strategies.

Chiropractic is a regulated health profession, recognized by statute in all Canadian provinces and American states.  More than 1.2 million patients in Ontario rely on chiropractic care every year to help them live healthy, active lives.  Eight out of ten Canadians will experience back pain at some point in their life, and at least one third of people in Ontario will have back pain at any given time.  For many people, the pain can keep them away from work, school or even their day-to-day activities.  If pain causes interruptions and restrictions in the activities of your daily life then you should consult a health care provider.

Chiropractors are regulated primary health care professionals, and they are one of only five classes of health care professionals in Ontario that are able to use the title Doctor, with its accompanying rights and obligations.  Chiropractors are highly educated and extensively trained to assess, diagnosis, treat and prevent conditions and disorders of the spine, joints, muscle and nervous system.  These disorders may include back pain, neck pain, headaches, referring pain in your arms and legs, etc.  Many patients seek chiropractic treatment for wellness care.  Even if you do not have painful symptoms, chiropractic care can help you maintain healthy spine and joint function.

What are some of the benefits of chiropractic care?

There are many reasons to seek chiropractic care.  Some of the more common reasons include back pain, neck pain, headache, whiplash, strains and sprains, repetitive strain injury (RSI), work and sports injuries, arthritis, limited range of motion in the back, shoulder, neck or limbs and for general health and well-being.  Chiropractic care can improve movement in your neck, shoulders, back and torso.  It can improve your posture, provide relief from headaches, neck and back pain, help prevent work-related muscle and joint injuries, enhance athletic performance, improve your flexibility and range of motion, relieve pregnancy-related back ache and correct gait and foot problems.

Is chiropractic adjustment safe?

Chiropractic adjustment is widely recognized as one of the safest, drug-free, non-invasive therapies available for the treatment of headache, and neck and back pain.  Chiropractic adjustments have an excellent safety record.  However, no health treatment is completely free of potential adverse effects. Even common over-the-counter medicines carry a risk.  Most chiropractic patients experience immediate relief following a chiropractic adjustment, however, some may experience temporary pain, stiffness or slight swelling.  Some patients may also experience temporary dizziness, local numbness, or radiating pain.  However, adverse effects associated with chiropractic adjustment are typically minor and short-lived.  Prior to starting treatment, all health professionals are required by law to obtain informed consent to treatment from their patients.  Health care consumers must receive adequate and accurate information to assist them in evaluating their health care choices, and in balancing the relative risks of treatment options with the benefits.  The chiropractic profession takes this responsibility seriously and has been a leader in obtaining informed consent.  Ontario’s chiropractors are required in their Standards of Practice to obtain written informed consent prior to treating a patient.

Who are Chiropractors?

A Doctor of Chiropractic has spent four years at an accredited chiropractic institution, receiving more than 4,200 hours of specialized clinical training.  The chiropractic curriculum at the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College, in Toronto, includes studies in anatomy, pathology, biomechanics, chiropractic principles, diagnosis and chiropractic adjustment techniques.  As primary care practitioners, chiropractors can develop and carry out a comprehensive treatment / management plan, recommend therapeutic exercise and other non-invasive therapies, and provide nutritional, dietary and lifestyle counselling.  Chiropractors are one of only five classes of health care professionals in Ontario that are able to use the title Doctor, with its accompanying rights and obligations.  Chiropractic is regulated by provincial statute.  Each province has a regulatory college, established by legislation in the same manner and with the same structure and similar regulations as the regulatory bodies for other health care professions.  Regulatory colleges are responsible for protecting the public, setting standards of practice, assuring quality of care is maintained, evaluating and promoting competency and handling disciplinary issues.  Ontario’s chiropractors are regulated and licensed by the College of Chiropractors of Ontario.

Chiropractic Education…

Chiropractic education in Canada is offered at the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College (CMCC) in Toronto, and at l’Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières (UQTR).  Both programs are fully accredited by the Council on Chiropractic Education of Canada that has adopted standards similar to those of the Council on Chiropractic Education in the United States which is, in turn, recognized by the United States Department of Education.  Chiropractic students undergo a rigorous course of study similar to that of medical doctors.  Entrance requirements are also similar.  Students are required to complete a minimum of three years of university before they are eligible for admission to the CMCC accredited program.  Approximately 90 per cent of students entering the CMCC program have completed a baccalaureate or graduate degree.  The CMCC program requires four years of full-time study, including a 12-month internship in the College’s clinics.  In Quebec, the UQTR has a five-year program following graduation from CÉGEP.  In addition to the academic program, chiropractic education requires hands-on clinical experience under the supervision of highly-qualified chiropractic faculty.  This experience includes clinical assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and referral protocols.  The faculty at both CMCC and UQTR have diverse backgrounds and offer students a wide range of expertise.  Faculty come from such disciplines as biological sciences, pathology, medicine and psychology, as well as chiropractic.  Both the CMCC and the UQTR programs include courses in anatomy, biochemistry, physiology, neurology, embryology, principles of chiropractic, radiology, immunology, microbiology, pathology, nutrition, and clinical sciences specifically relating to diagnosis.  In particular, chiropractors receive training in radiology that covers a range of topics from radiation biophysics and protection to clinical X-ray interpretation and diagnosis.  Radiology training consists of more than 360 contact hours followed by application during clinical internship.  CMCC and UQTR have also developed relationships - both formal and informal - with other universities in Canada.  For example, faculty and students of CMCC are currently conducting research with fellow scientists at the University of Alberta, University of Calgary, University of Saskatchewan, University of Toronto and Ryerson University.  UQTR has collaborations with l’Université du Québec à Montréal and Laval University.

Does chiropractic care require a referral from an MD?

Chiropractors are legislated as primary contact health professionals in every province in Canada.  This means that patients can consult them directly.  However, chiropractors often work closely with medical doctors, many of whom refer to chiropractors when they believe chiropractic treatment will help alleviate a patient’s condition.  Similarly, chiropractors frequently refer to medical doctors when necessary.

Can chiropractic adjustments cure other ailments besides back pain?

Chiropractic care cannot “cure” every ailment, but there is some evidence to indicate that chiropractic adjustments may have a beneficial effect on a variety of conditions.  Chiropractic adjustment may alleviate some of the secondary or referred pain, arising from the response of the musculoskeletal structures to the primary cause.

Are there many athletes who use chiropractic?

Yes.  Many amateur and professional athletes use chiropractic treatment as part of their overall health care, fitness and maintenance program.  Chiropractic is often used to improve muscle and joint conditioning, which has a direct effect on an athletic performance.  Chiropractic treatment works to improve biomechanical function and enhance overall conditioning, important in situations where there is continuous repetitive movement.  Chiropractic care also help athletes fine-tune their muscles and joints for high level performance, and may reduce long term wear and tear.  Finally, chiropractic treatment can be used to prevent, and sometime shorten, the healing time of injuries.  Athletes most often select chiropractic treatment to improve their performance, where as the average consumer will select chiropractic care to help manage aches and pains.  In some cases treatment will be similar, but in all cases a treatment plan will be developed according to the goals and condition of each patient.  In the case of professional and elite athletes, chiropractors often work in conjunction with other health care professionals, including medical doctors and/or sports medicine doctors, massage therapists and physiotherapists.

Does chiropractic care require X-rays?

X-rays can play an important role in diagnosis and are taken when a need has been determined after taking a patient case history and conducting a physical examination.  Chiropractors receive 360 hours of education in radiology covering a full range of topics from protection to X-ray interpretation and diagnosis.  Governments in every province have recognized the training and competence of chiropractors to take and interpret X-rays and have granted them this right.

What to expect on your first visit to the chiropractor…

Your chiropractor may be treating your back pain, neck pain, headache, or other aches and pains, but he or she needs a complete picture of your health history and overall current health in order to provide the best possible treatment for you.  Set aside at least 30 minutes for your first visit to the chiropractor.  Future visits typically last 15 minutes or less, though the time required will depend upon the type of treatment you require.  On your first visit, your chiropractor may ask about your personal and family medical history, major illnesses you have experienced, surgeries or operations you have had and medications you are taking.  Your chiropractor will ask you about your present condition, the steps you have taken to manage your condition, your diet and exercise, your sleeping habits, daily activities, work routine, stress level, and home life.  It is a good idea to wear comfortable clothes and shoes for your visit to the chiropractor.  Your chiropractor may ask you to change into a gown to perform some tests.  These tests may include a check of your blood pressure, pulse and breathing, a test of your reflexes, strength and sensations, an analysis of your posture and an X-ray of your spine.  Your chiropractic examination will also include an analysis of your movement and a hands-on evaluation of how well your spine moves, identifying restrictions and areas of improper motion.  It will also involve orthopedic testing, which are movements that the chiropractor will perform with different joints of your body in an effort to decipher your diagnosis.  If you already have X-rays or a radiology report you may want to bring them along.  These assessments give your chiropractor a better picture of your complete health.  Your chiropractor will make a diagnosis, prescribe a course of treatment, and once the matter of informed consent has been discussed, treatment usually begins.  If your chiropractor diagnoses a condition more appropriately treated by another health care professional, he or she will make a referral.