|
|
||
| Conditions Treatment Doctors FAQ | ||
|
What is chiropractic?
One of the
largest primary-contact health care professions in Ontario, chiropractic
is a non-invasive, hands-on health care discipline. When would someone see a chiropractor? Most patients seek chiropractic care because they have low back and neck pain. There are many reasons to seek chiropractic care: work, accidents, sports injuries, household chores, and the stress of daily living. Even if you do not have painful symptoms, chiropractic care can help you maintain a healthy spine and proper joint function. Here are some of the most common reasons why more than 4 million Canadians visit a chiropractor each year: Back pain Neck pain Headache Whiplash Strains and sprains from daily activities Repetitive strain injuries Work and sports-related injuries Arthritis Restricted movement in the back, Shoulders, neck or limbs General health and well-being Shoulder injury Sciatica Carpal tunnel Disc herniation
What are some of the benefits of chiropractic
care? Provide relief from back pain Relief from headaches and neck pain Maintain healthy spine and joint function Improve movement in your neck, shoulders, back and torso Improve your posture 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 Correction of gait and foot problems
What is a chiropractic adjustment?
A chiropractic adjustment is a highly skilled and precise movement
usually applied by hand to a joint of the body. Adjustments loosen the
joints to restore proper movement and optimize function. When a joint
is adjusted, there is a change in pressure that results in a popping or
clicking noise. This characteristic sound is only one indication that a
joint has released and is not necessarily required for successful
treatment. |
Do chiropractors diagnose problems differently? Although chiropractors use all the traditional methods of diagnosis such as x-rays and orthopedic testing, they tend to focus on patients from a mechanical viewpoint. Chiropractors prescribe treatment for conditions with the intended purpose of manually making adjustments to the body without the use of drugs. Although chiropractors do not prescribe medication, patients often utilize chiropractic care in conjunction with medical care.
Could you explain chiropractic treatment? The primary theory in chiropractic is that your spinal column houses your nerves (nervous system) which in turn controls your body. Your spine has twenty four bones called vertebrae that should move independently and freely. The vertebrae provide protection to the spinal nerves while simultaneously allowing for motion. This system is not unlike the frame of your car that protects the wiring and provides stability while your tires are rotating. Sometimes vertebrae do not move properly, which can result in nerve irritation at that level. Severe nerve irritation can lead to pain, loss of strength, loss of reflexes, and loss of sensation in the affected area. Chiropractors restore proper positioning and movement of vertebrae by using manual adjustments of the spine. Thus releasing nerve/joint irritation and restoring function, allowing your body to correct itself naturally. Not all problems have a mechanical component. Chiropractors are trained to diagnose and are responsible for sending you elsewhere if your problem does not fall under their scope of their practice.
Do chiropractic adjustments hurt? Chiropractic adjustments require a high level of skill and knowledge. Adjustments are performed foremost with the patients’ safety and tolerance in mind. Before treatment can begin, your chiropractor will examine and evaluate your condition to make certain that you are a candidate for chiropractic adjustment. Chiropractic adjustments differ from other forms of manipulation as they are specific to the needs of the condition that is diagnosed by your doctor of chiropractic. The chiropractor will often begin treatment gradually, and progress as the patients’ tolerance increases. Surprisingly to most, chiropractic adjustments are not usually painful.
I have heard that once you begin chiropractic treatment you have to continue for life, is this true? There are four different levels of chiropractic care. Initially, acute or pain relief care is provided until a return to normal function. The second option called corrective care goes one step further by attempting to correct the underlying cause of your problem to the point of maximum improvement. Finally there is supportive care which aims to keep the results gained from corrective care. Preventative care may also be utilized as a way of maintaining healthy joint function and recognize problems before they become symptomatic.
Acute care (pain relief): This is immediate care for problems that have just begun (3 weeks). Patients begin this stage with passive care (chiropractic adjustment and therapy) in an effort to reduce muscle/joint stresses, and to diminish inflammation/swelling. When pain and discomfort have decreased, a shift towards active care is encouraged (exercise and stretching). Slow speed stretching and light weight exercises are utilized to help restore flexibility. Slowly muscular endurance is increased so that a patient can begin training for strength. It is well accepted that the quicker a patient can move into active care, the better the outcome in reduction and duration of an injury. Goal: Reduce pain/swelling and restore proper motion to the affected joints. Muscles and nerves are also taken into consideration. Once the condition is responding to treatment your chiropractor will give you the appropriate exercises/stretches to restore strength and flexibility. In addition, nutrition and ergonomic education may be introduced.
|
Chronic care (long term problems): Chronic conditions are those whose symptoms have persisted for more than three to four months. Care must be taken in evaluating any factors that may hinder or compete with recovery. Your chiropractor will educate you on how to maximize your care outside of the clinic. The patient’s active role at this stage of treatment is very important to the overall success of the treatment. Imaging such as x-rays or other testing may be required to aide in a proper diagnosis. Patients will be given specific exercises and stretches to facilitate recovery at home. In addition, nutrition and ergonomic education may also be utilized. Goal: To increase the range of pain-free motion, minimize deconditioning, restore strength and endurance, and increase physical work capacity. Goals are aimed at reducing and managing conditions. Patients with chronic problems often do not find complete remission of symptoms. However, a well structured treatment and home care plan can often minimize flare-ups and functional problems. Patients are treated until maximum therapeutic benefit has been reached. At this time supportive care is encouraged to maintain the gains made during chronic care.
Supportive care: Utilized once the maximum benefits have been reached from chronic care. Supportive care has been shown to be necessary to maintain previous therapeutic gains. Treatment is spread out over longer periods so as to maximize the duration between treatments. Goal: Managing conditions and maintaining benefits of previous care
Elective Care: This form of care encompasses both maintenance and preventative care which are elective (chosen) on the part of the patient. The results of clinical experience, coupled with emerging clinical studies, support the chiropractic view that elective care is safe and effective when used discriminately so as not to foster doctor dependence. Goal: To encourage healthy joint function, and resolve minor problems before they escalate to the point at which they result in pain symptoms. Patients take an active role in their health by keeping regular checkups with their chiropractor. Chiropractic has also been shown to enhance quality of life in individuals looking to raise their physical performance.
How do chiropractors treat disc problems? At Lakeridge chiropractic disc problems are treated using the Cox protocol of spinal decompression, together with physical therapy and exercise. Spinal decompression is a well researched and proven procedure for the treatment of disc herniation. At Lakeridge Chiropractic we offer two types of spinal decompression, namely flexion distraction and long axis traction. Treatment is rendered using a special table that gently stretches the patient’s spinal joints and relieves pressure. Our doctors manually control the treatment and are present at all times to monitor progress. We utilize the latest technology with a hands on approach.
What is the difference between Chiropractic care and Physiotherapy? Chiropractors are trained and licensed doctors who have the authority to diagnose conditions within their scope of practice. Chiropractors also have the ability to change a diagnosis and treatment when required. Physiotherapists are not doctors or licensed to diagnose. Physiotherapists perform some types of manipulation; however they are not professionally trained to perform Chiropractic adjustments.
I have heard that manipulation of the neck can cause stroke? In February 2008 the journal Spine published a report done by the Bone and Joint Decade (2000 – 2010) task force on Neck Pain and Associated Disorders. This comprehensive report (220 pages) is from a multidisciplinary international task force that involved seven years work from more than 50 researchers from 9 countries and 19 different clinical and scientific disciplines including chiropractic. It redefines neck pain and the risk of vertebralbasilar artery stroke (VBA stroke), a very rare form of stroke that has been associated with chiropractic neck adjustment. Findings show that risk of stroke for neck pain patients is the same whether they consult a doctor of chiropractic or primary care physician. An estimated 80% of such stroke patients have neck pain from artery dissection during the day before their strokes, this leads them to seek medical or chiropractic care, and subsequent stroke is therefore “associated with” that treatment. |
