Questions On Your Mind

Chiropractors are registered under the drugless practitioners Act and as such cannot prescribe medications. However, prescriptions for supports, time off work and some other things can be written by a Chiropractor. We can also discuss potential benefits and side effects of non-prescription medications. (i.e. Tylenol, ASA, Ibuprofen)

Our experience over the years has identified one significant truth. If you wait until you have discomfort then the treatment to alleviate that discomfort and return you to health is going to take longer than if you continue your care on a wellness basis. Remember health is not just an absence of symptoms but a 100% functioning of all the body tissues and organ systems 100% of the time.

New Patients are always welcomed in our Clinic, and with more than one Doctor on staff it is usually possible to get an appointment for an initial consultation on the same day or in a day or two.

Yes. Chiropractors are recognized by the Canada Revenue Agency as health care professionals (practitioners) authorized to practice in all provinces of Canada.

No. The province no longer covers chiropractic services. People are responsible for paying the fees charged by chiropractors. People with private insurance may have these services covered in part or full by their private plans. (Effective December 1, 2004)

Ice is used to help reduce inflammation and swelling with a severe or new injury and after a trauma. The use of ice at the beginning of treatment helps the recovery of the joint and soft tissues. Heat is used to encourage increased blood flow to the injured area thereby supplying more nutrients to aid in the healing process. Heat if applied to a newly injured tissue or joint can increase the swelling and hence the pain. Therefore if you ever have doubt as to what to use, consult your Chiropractor; and in the event that you can’t reach him USE ICE! ICE – severe, acute new injury – to reduce swelling HEAT – mild, older injury – to increase blood flow and relax tissues.

We do not submit online to insurance companies unless the treatment is the result of a motor vehicle accident or a work related injury under WSIB. If you have third party insurance coverage for Chiropractic care we will be happy to produce statements for you as required (to be reimbursed).

The answer to this depends on how quickly you respond to your care. In general the younger you are the faster you heal. It also depends on the severity of the injury or condition that brought you to the office in the first place. With re-examinations at each milestone in your recovery your Doctor will be better able to assess the healing that has occurred and the most appropriate time for you to resume your exercising, sports or return to everyday activities.

Chiropractic is widely recognized as one of the safest drug-free, non-invasive therapies available for the treatment of neuromusculoskeletal complaints. Although chiropractic has an excellent safety record, no health treatment is completely free of potential adverse effects. The risks associated with chiropractic, however, are very small. Many patients feel immediate relief following chiropractic treatment, but some may experience mild soreness, stiffness or aching, just as they do after some forms of exercise. Current research shows that minor discomfort or soreness following spinal manipulation typically fades within 24 hours.

Pain is perceived differently by each individual. We strive to make each adjustment as comfortable and pain free as possible. In most cases patients report that they felt no discomfort. We use alternative techniques to reduce discomfort whenever possible. The patients who do report feeling discomfort also report that it was minimal and of short duration. More importantly the results (the overall improvement of their pain and their feeling of well being) far outweigh any minor pain that they experienced. In general it is reported as being similar to going to the gym for the first time.

Yes, children can benefit from chiropractic care. Children are very physically active and experience many types of falls and blows from activities of daily living as well as from participating in sports. Injuries such as these may cause many symptoms including back and neck pain, stiffness, soreness or discomfort, and can lead to future degeneration and problems. Chiropractic care is always adapted to the individual patient. It is a highly skilled treatment, and in the case of children, very gentle.

There are no known contraindications to chiropractic care throughout pregnancy. All chiropractors are trained to work with women who are pregnant. The following changes could result in a misaligned spine or joints: Protruding abdomen and increased back curve, pelvic changes, postural adaptations. Establishing pelvic balance and alignment is another reason to obtain chiropractic care during pregnancy. When the pelvis is misaligned it may reduce the amount of room available for the developing baby. The nervous system is the master communication system to all the body systems including the reproductive system. Keeping the spine aligned helps the entire body work more effectively.

Adjustment (or manipulation) of a joint may result in the release of a gas bubble between the joints, which makes a popping sound. The same thing occurs when you “crack” your knuckles. The noise is caused by the change of pressure within the joint, which results in gas bubbles being released. This is the same reason champagne pops when you open it.

The hands-on nature of the chiropractic treatment is essentially what requires patients to visit the chiropractor a number of times. To be treated by a chiropractor, a patient needs to be in his or her office. In contrast, a course of treatment from medical doctors often involves a pre-established plan that is conducted at home (i.e. taking a course of antibiotics once a day for a couple of weeks). A chiropractor may provide acute, chronic, and/or preventive care thus making a certain number of visits sometimes necessary. Your doctor of chiropractic should tell you the extent of treatment recommended and how long you can expect it to last.

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.

The results of a three year randomized trial of people 75 years of age and over revealed better overall health and a higher quality of life among those who use chiropractic care. Elderly chiropractic patients have fewer chronic conditions, spend fewer days in nursing homes and hospitals, are more mobile in their communities and are less likely to use prescription drugs than non-chiropractic patients, according to a study conducted by the Foundation for Chiropractic Education and Research through the Los Angeles College of Chiropractic. In addition, 87% of chiropractic patients described their health as excellent compared to just 67.8% of non-chiropractic patients.

Yes. Our Doctors also use an adjustment tool (activator) to adjust patients who do not wish to have their neck or spine manually adjusted.

Chiropractors are taught how to adjust all joints in the body and how to diagnose conditions. Sometimes knee problems are resultant from trauma and other therapies can be applied to help heal the injury. (Ice, Heat, Ultra-sound, Taping.) Any or all of these adjunct therapies are employed in the Clinic when the need arises.