What is chiropractic?
Chiropractic is a series of spinal adjustments for the correction of misalignments. Misalignments in the spine can produce interferences in the function of the nervous system. Your nervous system plays an integral part of the body’s communications. If the spinal joints are not properly moving, irritating nearby nerves, messages from your brain to the rest of the body may not be appropriately received. When communication is impaired the body will not function at optimum levels. Chiropractors are Doctors who specialize in restoring proper joint function through spinal adjustments. A spinal adjustment is a gentle and painless procedure performed by the chiropractor’s highly skilled hands or by a hand held instrument, called the activator.
What is a subluxation?
Subluxations (spinal restrictions) are problem areas of the spine that affect your entire nervous system. In these problem areas the spinal bones are misaligned or have lost their normal range of movement. This irritates or puts pressure on local nerves which interferes with the communication between your brain and body (and vice versa).
What causes a subluxation?
Tension and stress on your spine can come from many sources. Common causes of these subluxations are:
- Poor posture
- Stress
- Repetitive motions that cause stress on the body
- Improper sleeping positions
- Improper lifting
- Obesity
- Lack of exercise
- Fall, injury, sudden jar, or trauma
What is an adjustment?
Doctors of Chiropractic are specialists in neuromusculoskeletal conditions. They are trained to restore the normal function of the spinal column. They do this manually, utilizing the chiropractic procedure known as “spinal adjustment.” Your chiropractor, in most cases, will use his or her hands in applying corrective pressure to the spine in a specific direction and location. The manual force or thrust helps restore the alignment and mobility of the vertebrae. In some cases, the chiropractor may use instrumentation to detect subluxations and adjust the spine.
Does the adjustment hurt?
Under normal circumstances, chiropractic adjustments are painless. In cases of recent trauma, such as whiplash, mild discomfort may be experienced due to inflammation. It is also common to feel a brief sensation in the extremities immediately following an adjustment due to the sudden decompression of the affected nerve root.
Is Chiropractic safe?
Chiropractic is a non-invasive, drug-free discipline meaning that the risks associated with it are very low. Adverse effects are very rare and your chiropractor will discuss with you any risks before beginning any treatment.
What Type of education does a chiropractor require?
Chiropractors are trained as primary health care practitioners with an emphasis on diagnosing and treating neuromusculoskeletal conditions. To obtain a doctor of chiropractic degree you are required to have a minimum of 3 years post-graduate education with a another 4 years of study at a recognized chiropractic Institute, such as Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College or Universite du Quebec a Trois-Rivieres. These are the only two chiropractic schools in Canada, one is an English curriculum and the other is a French curriculum.
What common conditions are treated through Chiropractic care?
- Low Back Pain
- Sciatica
- Degenerative Disc Disease
- Disc Herniation
- Rib Dysfunction
- Rotator Cuff Tendonitis (Shoulder Pain)
- Frozen Shoulder
- Repetitive Strain Injuries
- Ankle & Foot restrictions
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Neck Pain
- Whiplash Associated Disorder
- Many more…
How many chiropractic visits will I need?
Chiropractic treatment plans are very individual and your choice. The ailment you come in with could be very acute and require only a few chiropractic treatments or your ailment could be very severe or chronic and require numerous treatments. Typically, 2-12 sessions is the average number of sessions required to get you back to symptom free. Regular chiropractic visits are very beneficial for detecting misalignments in your spine seeing as they often exist without presenting any symptoms. Just because you can’t see your spine doesn’t mean you should ignore it. You only have one spine, take care of it with Chiropractic care the same way you take care of your teeth with your Dentist.
Do I need a referral?
No, chiropractors are considered primary contact doctors. No referral from a medical doctor is necessary.
Call 902.492.2102 or email info@maritimechiropractic.ca for more information. An amazing team of health care professionals at Maritime Chiropractic & Wellness are waiting to provide you with the most innovative health care services Halifax has to offer.