For many, visiting a chiropractor may not be an option only because they don’t realize what chiropractors do.
If you ask people who have never visited a chiropractor, they might say, “a chiropractor adjusts your neck or back to make you feel better after a car accident.” But is that really what chiropractors do? Or, better put, is that the best description of the function of chiropractors operating in the health field?
One way to begin understanding chiropractic is to see what chiropractors say about their own work. So, today we’re going to dive into the Canadian Chiropractic Association website to uncover some of the basics of chiropractic.
What is a chiropractor?
This is the most obvious question to ask. The Canadian Chiropractic Association explains that licensed chiropractors in Canada have:
“…completed a rigourous academic and practical education (including national standardized educational requirements) and passed a licencing examination (by province) to become a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC).”
So, chiropractors are a type of doctor.
Does that mean that chiropractors are just like my family doctor, or are they more specialized?
The CCA website goes on to explain:
“Canada’s chiropractors are spine, muscle and nervous system experts. They diagnose the causes and treat patients to relieve pain and prevent it from returning – helping them be healthy and active.”
Furthermore, chiropractors:
“…[assess, diagnose, treat and offer] preventative care of biomechanical disorders originating from the muscular, skeletal and nervous systems.”
If someone has an issue relating to their spine, muscle, and/or nervous system, they can see a chiropractor for treatment.
How do chiropractors treat spine, muscle, and nervous system issues?
This is the question most relevant to patients seeking to determine treatment options. You want to know how your doctor is going to treat your ailment, and that treatment aligns with your view of acceptable medical options. The CCA website provides a clear explanation of how doctors of chiropractic assist their patients by stating that chiropractors:
“…will recommend a course of treatment to help relieve pain and improve function without surgery or pharmaceuticals, such as manipulation, mobilization, soft tissue therapy, exercise, education, modalities (i.e. ultrasound or laser) and rehabilitation. Chiropractors are also trained to provide nutritional counselling, as well as recommend injury prevention strategies. Specific training in spinal manipulative therapy (SMT) allows chiropractors to provide adjustments using highly-skilled and precise movements to the vertebrae of the spine, correcting joint motion to restore proper movement and improve function.”
Chiropractors offer treatment that does not rely on ingesting or injecting chemicals or invasive surgical procedures.
What could successful chiropractic treatment result in?
Every person seeking the aid of a qualified doctor needs to know what the favourable treatment outcomes look like. If you’re seeking out a doctor of chiropractic, your treatment outcomes will be related to your spine, muscle, and/or nervous system. The CCA list the following benefits of being treated by a chiropractic doctor:
- Improved movement in your neck, shoulders, back and torso
- Better posture
- Relief from headaches, neck and back pain
- Prevention of work-related muscle and joint injuries
- Enhanced athletic performance
- Improved flexibility
- Relief of pregnancy-related backache
- Correction of gait and foot problems
The field of chiropractic is, of course, much wider and deeper than this brief dive allows us to observe. If you’ve been experiencing any issues that you (now) think chiropractic care may help remedy, please reach out to our clinic today! We’re here to help you find the level of health you’d love to have.