What is Chiropractic care?

What is chiropractic care? 

• Chiropractic care is a patient-centred, non-invasive, hands-on, regulated health care profession focused on your spine, muscles, joints and nervous system. It can promote health, alleviate pain, help you return back to activities and improve quality of life.

Who are chiropractors? 

• Doctors of chiropractic, called ‘chiropractors’ are spine, muscle, joint and related nervous system experts. Chiropractors use the best available evidence and clinical expertise to diagnose issues that affect your body’s movement. Treating them without medication or surgery and preventing them from returning. Chiropractic care can be used to promote good health and improve your quality of life, as well as alleviate pain. In Canada, every chiropractor receives at least seven years of post-secondary academic and clinical education. They are trained in how to evaluate, diagnose, recommend and deliver a treatment plan that manages issues within these systems, according to your preferences. A chiropractor’s education also includes courses in radiology, pain management, prescribed exercise and rehabilitation, among others. From acute sports injuries, and chronic overuse injuries to post-surgical rehabilitation and aging issues, they are qualified to treat issues involved with the musculoskeletal system and recommend a personalized treatment plan for you. 
• Every chiropractor is uniquely qualified to evaluate your condition and identify what’s causing your pain. But in the end, they are all here for the same objective – to help you develop a healthier version of your body. 

What conditions do chiropractors treat?

• Chiropractors manage and treat various spine, muscle and joint conditions and pain including but not limited to
• After accident/injury, including whiplash
• Low-back, pelvis or mid backHead, neck or shoulders
• Elbows, wrist or hands due to sprains, strains and other conditions
• Hip, knee, ankle or foot due to sprains, strain
• Sports injuries
• Concussion management

Do I have to be in pain to see a chiropractor?

• You don’t have to be in persistent or long-term pain to visit a chiropractor! Many people – from pregnant women to athletes – visit chiropractors to alleviate sporadic pain, reduce their risk of injuries or to improve their flexibility, mobility and posture.

Part of Your Health Care Team

• Chiropractors collaborate with other health care professionals, such as medical doctors, nurse practitioners, physiotherapists, registered massage therapists, midwives, and other specialists to help your manage your specific needs

Your First Visit

• The purpose of this initial intake appointment is to help your chiropractor better understand your current health, as well as your spine, muscle, joints or related nervous system issues. If you have an x-ray or radiology report, please bring it with you.
• Your chiropractor may ask the following:
• What is the main issue that brings you here and how does it affect your life?
• What major illness and surgeries have you had?
• Do you have any chronic conditions?
• What medications are you taking?
• How have you tried to manage your condition?
• What are your diet, exercise, sleeping habits like?
• What’s your work routine, schedule and daily stress like?
• What are expectations and goals?
• Your chiropractor may perform some of the following tests:
• Blood pressure, pulse and breathing checks
• Reflex, strength and sensation tests
• Orthopedic tests
• Posture and movement analysis
• Hands-on evaluation of your spine movement
• Your chiropractor may order x-rays or refer you for additional diagnostic tests from your family doctor or nurse practitioner. 
• Using best available evidence and their clinical expertise, your chiropractor will then be able to diagnose issues affecting your body’s movement. A referral to another health care professional will be made if necessary. Along with coordinating with your health care team to support your treatments. 

What should you expect from treatment?

• Advice  and Education
• Therapeutic/rehabilitation exercises 
• This therapy includes corrective exercises and pain-relieving poses that are geared toward achieving normalcy in your movement. It is recognized to be very effective because even a simple exercise can do wonders for your body, for example: releasing tension in your muscles, helping correct faulty movement or even restoring your strength. With corrective exercises integrated into your chiropractic care, you will be actively involved and expected to see incremental improvement in your recovery. 
• Soft tissue therapy, Myofascial release technique, Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (Graston/Gua Sha)
• chiropractors put pressure against the soft tissues of your body. This temporarily eases muscle strain and improves blood flow, which provides instant relaxation to any stiffness and tension. 
• Joint mobilizations/Joint manipulation (adjustments)This is a hands-on, non-invasive, drug-free treatment where chiropractors apply a controlled force to your joints and guide them through a wide range of motion. The end result is to provide relief to your pain and enhance mobility in your joints. 
• Electronic modalities (therapeutic ultrasound and cold laser therapy)
• Interferential Current Therapy (IFC)
• Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS)
• Acupuncture
• Self-management strategies (positions for relief and pain management techniques)

Do I need a referral to see a chiropractor?

• In Ontario, you are able to visit a chiropractor without a referral from a medical doctor or nurse practitioner or health care professional. 

If you have any questions and wish to explore chiropractic care in the Markham or GTA area, you can book a discovery call with Dr. David Tam to start your journey towards creating a healthier you!