Frequently Asked Questions 

The word “chiropractic” comes from ancient Greek and means “done by hand.” 

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. 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

An adjustment is a highly skilled and precise movement usually applied by hand to a joint of the body. Adjustment loosens the joint to restore proper movement and optimize function. 

When a joint is adjusted, a gas bubble escapes, causing the popping noise you may have heard about. 

Chiropractic adjustment techniques have been researched extensively. Complications are rare and side-effects, such as temporary soreness, are usually minor. Your chiropractor is well-trained to determine if your problem will respond to chiropractic care or if you require referral to another health care provider.

Chiropractic care can:

• Improve movement in your neck, shoulders, back and torso

• Improve your posture

• Provide relief from headaches, neck and back pain

• Help prevent work-related muscle and joint injuries

• Lead to enhanced athletic performance

• Improve your flexibility and range of motion

• Relieve pregnancy-related back ache

• Help to correct gait (walking) and foot problems

Your chiropractor needs a complete picture of your health in order to provide the best possible treatment for you as an individual.  Plan to spend approximately 45 minutes on your first visit.

The chiropractor may ask you about the following: Personal and family medical history, major illnesses you have experienced, surgeries or operations you have had, medications you might be taking, your diet and exercise habits, your work and leisure activities, sleeping habits and more.

Any of the following tests may be performed during your first visit, depending on your condition: Blood pressure, pulse and breathing, reflex testing, strength testing, range of motion testing, posture analysis, gait analysis, functional movement testing and more.

Tips for your first visit:

• Wear comfortable clothes (preferably not jeans)

• Bring a copy of any recent x-rays or other reports

A common question is how long chiropractic treatment should continue.  Your chiropractor will discuss this with you during the first visit and as your condition evolves.  The answer is dependent on the individual case.  For some people, treatment is only indicated periodically when musculoskeletal problems arise.  Others choose to be more proactive and be screened for imbalances or dysfunctions to deal with them before they become painful problems (somewhat like getting a tune-up for a vehicle).  The choice is always yours; take the time to discuss with your chiropractor the level of care that is best for you.

Chiropractic is widely recognized as one of the safest, drug-free, non-invasive therapies available for the treatment of headache, neck and back pain. It has 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 patients experience immediate relief following an 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 spinal 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.