Depending on the diagnosis, the chiropractor will determine if treatment will involve chiropractic adjustments or other appropriate therapies. The goal of an adjustment is to restore normal function and motion to the joints, often relieving pain. The adjustment is a controlled and directed pressure applied with the chiropractor’s hands.

Chiropractors treat many health conditions which affect today’s population including, but not limited to:

• Headaches
• Neck and back pain
• Muscular tension
• Sprains/ strains
• Tendonitis/ tendonosis
• Sports related injuries
• Postural strain
• Motor vehicle accident (MVA) injuries

Periodic check ups may be recommended to monitor a patient’s progress and determine if continued chiropractic care, or additional approaches to treatment are clinically indicated.

Yes, chiropractic care is very safe. It is a drugless, non-invasive approach which can assist your body’s ability to utilize its inherent healing abilities. Millions of people safely receive chiropractic adjustments each day!

It is not necessary for a medical doctor to refer you to the clinic for treatment, though many of our patients are referred by their medical doctors or specialists. If you have private coverage, individual plans may vary according to this necessity.

This is called ‘cavitation’ and is actually the release of gases from the fluid found within the joint. It is not a cracking of the bones, but is similar to the sound heard when one ‘cracks’ their knuckles.

Contrary to popular belief, discs cannot actually slip out of their anatomical position. Discs are located between the vertebrae and act as shock absorbers through the spine. Trauma or injury to a disc may occur which can cause the inner gel-like portion of the disc to protrude, bulge or herniate through the tougher, outer fibrous layer. This can be quite painful and can cause either localized or generalized back pain, or depending upon the level, may cause pain into the arms or legs. This may occur if the disc puts pressure on the spinal cord and/or nerve roots.

Injuries, falls, accidents, muscular strains and ligament sprains can change or alter how the joints of your body function, especially your spine. This in turn can affect the sensitive nerve tissues, the spinal cord or nerve roots. Compressive injuries, suggestive of a ‘pinched’ nerve are not common. More often, the nerve roots are irritated or inflamed due to spinal joint dysfunction. Compression of the nerve root may cause symptoms including pain, numbness, tingling and/or a burning sensation.

Many patients will begin to notice an improvement in their condition within the first few visits. Depending on the individual case, response time will obviously vary with respect to factors which could include age, physical fitness, the length of time one has been experiencing the problem, and the severity of the condition. Do not hesitate to ask your chiropractor what you should expect as far as responding to treatment. Remember – everyone is different.

Once your chiropractor has assessed your condition, they may recommend exercises to help increase your flexibility (length of your muscles) and increase your strength, with exercises specific to your particular case.

Chiropractic care has been shown to help restore normal joint motion in the neck and upper back and reduce muscular guarding and headaches often associated with the trauma of whiplash injuries. The joints of the neck are the most commonly injured structures of whiplash.

The education of a chiropractor requires a minimum prerequisite of three years of university followed by a four-year academic program. The curricula include courses such as anatomy, biochemistry, pathology, neuroscience, microbiology, general diagnosis, orthopaedics, neurology, biomechanics/kinesiology, radiology and manipulative techniques. As a result of this education, chiropractors are among the most qualified of all health care professionals in the care of neuromusculoskeletal conditions and are leaders in the field of manipulative therapy.

Nova Scotia’s provincial plan (MSI) does not cover your chiropractic care. However, most private insurance plans do contribute to the cost of care. If you have suffered the injury as a result of work, your treatments may be covered by the Worker’s Compensation Board (WCB) of Nova Scotia. If you have been involved in a motor vehicle accident (MVA), Section B insurance often covers the fees associated with your care.

The Royal College of Chiropractic Sports Sciences (Canada) oversees the specialty of sports chiropractic in Canada. The RCCSS(C) has developed the Sports Sciences Residency Program (SSRP), which leads to the designation of a Fellow in the RCCSS(C). These practitioners are denoted with a FRCCSS(C).

The focus of sports chiropractic specialists is to examine, diagnose, and provide care in a multimodal conservative treatment approach which includes one or more of the following: manipulation, mobilization, soft tissue therapies, electrotherapy, rehabilitation and other movement/exercise therapies, nutritional advice, strapping/bracing and other related approaches. These approaches are applied to injury management in acute, subacute and chronic phases, as well as injury prevention and the maximizing of athletic performance through the pursuit of the highest efficiency in neuromusculoskeletal functioning. This expertise can also be applied to a general patient population in complex or complicated cases.

Sports chiropractic specialists have knowledge and experience in the issues related to ‘return to play’ and also participate in multi-disciplinary sports injury environments.

Sports chiropractic specialists are included as part of the Health Care and Sports Sciences teams for the Canadian Olympic Committee, and are frequently involved with recreational, amateur, professional and elite level teams.