Did you know that chiropractors are used by over 4.5 million Canadians each year? We wouldn’t be surprised if you didn’t – for such a booming sector of the medical field, a surprising amount of people don’t really know what chiropractic adjustments are or what chiropractors do.
Today, we’re putting together a handy guide that should cover any questions you have about chiropractors. (If we’ve left anything out, feel free to contact us or leave a comment below!)
General FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) About Chiropractors
First of all, what is a chiropractor and what do they do?
To sum it up briefly, chiropractors are healthcare professionals whose expertise is the spine and nervous system. Through manual hands-on adjustments, they manipulate the spine to correct a misalignment, increase range of motion, or release pressure on nerves.
Chiropractors treat neck pain, back pain, arthritis, certain types of headaches, injuries and more. They are spine, muscle and nervous system experts who specialize in assessing, diagnosing, treating and developing care plans to keep you moving and pain-free.
Source: Chiropractic.ca
Do I need a referral to see a chiropractor?
Not at all! You’re welcome to walk-in to most clinics – ours included.
How much education do you need to become a chiropractor?
Chiropractors are trained doctors performing medical treatments – so they naturally have to undergo a lot of schooling!
In BC, chiropractors need to have:
- Graduated from a 4-year of Doctor of Chiropractic program (of which you can only enter after completing a degree)
- Finished over 4200 hours extensive chiropractic program having a focus on Human Anatomy, Biomechanics, Physiology, and chiropractic manual therapy
- Completed at least 1000 hours in clinical settings with the supervision of a highly qualified clinician.
Before they take a provincial licensing examination, all Chiropractors in Canada have at least seven years of university-level education. And, they underwent a post-graduate specialization to advance their skills further. They can focus on sports sciences, radiology, clinical sciences, orthopedics, and rehabilitation.
Source: Evergreenclinic.ca
Sources (in order): https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17509435/ , https://nccih.nih.gov/research/results/spotlight/insurance-coverage-patterns , https://news.gallup.com/poll/194984/one-four-adults-sought-care-neck-back-pain-last-year.aspx?g_source=Well-Being&g_medium=newsfeed&g_campaign=tiles , https://acatoday.org/Education-Events/National-Chiropractic-Health-Month/Campaign-Toolkit/NCHM-Key-Facts-and-Figures , https://consumerreports.org/cro/2012/04/alternative-treatments/index.htm , https://nccih.nih.gov/health/spinal-manipulation-what-you-need-to-know , https://acatoday.org/Information-Graphics
Are chiropractors legit?
Absolutely! The practice of chiropractors has been around since 1845 – and has only developed and improved over time. Chiropractors are a regulated health profession recognized by legislation in all Canadian provinces and American states.
There have been multiple studies showing chiropractic adjustments to be an effective method for pain relief. Medical News Today compiled a brief summary of some:
A 2018 review included 17 years of studies involving spinal manipulation or mobilization.
The studies investigated the effects of these treatments on chronic lower back pain, and the authors concluded that the chiropractic methods were likely to reduce pain and improve function.
A 2017 review examined the effectiveness of spinal manipulation in treating lower back pain. The authors concluded that treatment improved both function and pain in patients with acute low back pain.
The American College of Physicians recommends those with lower back pain use a variety of non-pharmacological treatments, including spinal manipulation.
Researchers generally agree that they need more studies to determine the ideal length and frequency of chiropractic sessions and to identify what injuries may benefit from specific treatments.
Are chiropractors doctors? Is it a real medical treatment?
Chiropractors are doctors – although they attend chiropractic-specific schools to study, rather than traditional medical school.
As covered in the education question, chiropractors undergo at least 7 years of university-level education before they can receive their provincial license to practice.
Chiropractic services are a legitimate medical treatment – in fact, they’re covered by most extended healthcare plans! In BC, the College of Chiropractors of British Columbia (CCBC) is the provincial regulatory Chiropractic governing body.
What issues do chiropractors treat?
Chiropractors treat a broad range of problems – but there are definitely some we see more often than others!
Our most common complaints are back pain, lower back pain and neck pain. However, chiropractors can also help with:
- Migraines and tension headaches
- Neck pain
- Back pain & lower back pain
- Digestive Issues
- Sports Injuries
- Pinched nerves
- Arthritis
- Whiplash
- Sacroiliac Pain
- Shoulder pain
FAQs About Chiropractic Treatments & Adjustments
Will I be in pain during or after an adjustment?
This is a tricky question to answer! From the adjustment itself, you should feel no pain during or after.
However. A lot of patients come in to see us as the result of an injury or sudden-onset acute pain. In these circumstances, it may take 3-6 adjustments to treat the issue – so you may continue to experience pain after the adjustment.
How long does an adjustment take?
We know that people lead busy lives – so here at Sardis Chiropractic we take pride in our efficiency. Adjustments normally take around 10 minutes.
What’s the benefit of a chiropractic treatment?
There are a lot of benefits to chiropractic treatment; mainly, of course, pain relief! Other benefits include the fact that adjustments are a drug-free and non-invasive treatment option.
Seeing a chiropractor regularly is a beneficial part of your wellness routine. Chiropractors can also be used as a preventative measure to ensure your spine remains at its full health.
What other services do chiropractors provide?
Here at Sardis Chiropractic, we offer orthotic inserts, cold-laser therapy treatments and cryotherapy!
Will my joints make any noise during the treatment? What is that “crack” sound?
Your joints might make a cracking noise during your treatment; no need to worry, that’s totally normal!
When you’re being adjusted, your spinal joints are separated. During this, the pressure of the synovial fluid between joints drops and a gas bubble is released. This creates that satisfying crack!
Can I have chiropractic care after back surgery?
Absolutely! In fact, a lot of the patients we see come to us after surgery for non-invasive recovery care.
Recovering from surgery? We also recommend our cold laser therapy service!
Are there side effects to chiropractic treatments?
While it’s uncommon to experience side effects from an adjustment, potential side effects can include:
- Slight worsening in pain surrounding the area
- Nasuea
- Dizziness
Do I need to bring X-Rays to my appointment?
Not at all. As mentioned in a previous question, you do not need any kind of referral to visit a chiropractor.
That being said, if you have X-Rays from your doctor as well as any relevant documentation, definitely do bring them to your appointment! This well help Dr. Gagnon to fully understand your medical history and provide more complete care.
How can I manage pain post-treatment or do I need to come in all the time?
In an ideal world, coming in for weekly or fortnightly treatments is a great way to alleviate pain. However, we understand that the cost of adjustments can definitely add up over time – especially for retirees or those without insurance.
Want to make an appointment?
How much do adjustments cost?
The cost will vary slightly from practice to practice, but here at Sardis Chiropractic we only charge $65 for adjustments.
The initial consultation, which includes an assessment and adjustment, is $105.
Are chiropractic adjustments covered under insurance providers?
Absolutely! While we can’t advise on the particulars of your insurance policy, most extended healthcare covers chiropractic treatments.
In fact, we offer direct billing – so we can charge your insurance directly and avoid leaving you out of pocket. Some of the common insurance providers we direct bill are: Sun Life, Manulife, Greenshield, Equitable Life, Canada Life, Chambers, CINUP, Claim Secure, Desjardins, Empire Life, GroupHealth, GroupSource, ICBC, Industrial Alliance, Johnson Inc., Johnston Group, Maximum Benefit, Medavie, VAC, RCMP, DVA, NextGen, Pacific Blue Cross, People Corporation, AdjudiCare, The Co-Operators, MSP & WSBC.
How many treatments will I need?
Naturally, this differs case by case – but, for acute pain, we normally find that 3-6 treatments over a few weeks should do the trick.
From there, we recommend continuing to visit less frequently to retain any improvements made and continue to monitor your progress. Have a look at our sample treatment plan below for a clearer idea!
Will I be in pain during or after an adjustment?
This is a tricky question to answer! From the adjustment itself, you should feel no pain during or after.
However. A lot of patients come in to see us as the result of an injury or sudden-onset acute pain. In these circumstances, it may take 3-6 adjustments to treat the issue – so you may continue to experience pain after the adjustment.
How long does an adjustment take?
We know that people lead busy lives – so here at Sardis Chiropractic we take pride in our efficiency. Adjustments normally take around 10 minutes.
What’s the benefit of a chiropractic treatment?
There are a lot of benefits to chiropractic treatment; mainly, of course, pain relief! Other benefits include the fact that adjustments are a drug-free and non-invasive treatment option.
Seeing a chiropractor regularly is a beneficial part of your wellness routine. Chiropractors can also be used as a preventative measure to ensure your spine remains at its full health.
What other services do chiropractors provide?
Here at Sardis Chiropractic, we offer orthotic inserts, cold-laser therapy treatments and cryotherapy!
Will my joints make any noise during the treatment? What is that “crack” sound?
Your joints might make a cracking noise during your treatment; no need to worry, that’s totally normal!
When you’re being adjusted, your spinal joints are separated. During this, the pressure of the synovial fluid between joints drops and a gas bubble is released. This creates that satisfying crack!
Can I have chiropractic care after back surgery?
Absolutely! In fact, a lot of the patients we see come to us after surgery for non-invasive recovery care.
Recovering from surgery? We also recommend our cold laser therapy service!
Are there side effects to chiropractic treatments?
While it’s uncommon to experience side effects from an adjustment, potential side effects can include:
- Slight worsening in pain surrounding the area
- Nasuea
- Dizziness
Do I need to bring X-Rays to my appointment?
Not at all. As mentioned in a previous question, you do not need any kind of referral to visit a chiropractor.
That being said, if you have X-Rays from your doctor as well as any relevant documentation, definitely do bring them to your appointment! This well help Dr. Gagnon to fully understand your medical history and provide more complete care.
How can I manage pain post-treatment or do I need to come in all the time?
In an ideal world, coming in for weekly or fortnightly treatments is a great way to alleviate pain. However, we understand that the cost of adjustments can definitely add up over time – especially for retirees or those without insurance.
