What is Chiropractic Care?
Chiropractic care is: Patient-centered, Non-invasive, and Hands-on
Chiropractic care is focused on your spine, muscles, joints, and nervous system and uses available evidence and expertise to identify issues that affect your body’s movement. Chiropractors provide care them without medication or surgery and help prevent recurrence. Chiropractic care can also support health and support your quality of life, as well as ease pain.
Who is a Chiropractor?
Doctors of chiropractic, called ‘chiropractors’ are the spine, muscle, joint and nervous system, experts. Every chiropractor receives at least six to seven years of post-secondary academic and clinical education. They are trained in how to evaluate, , recommend, and deliver a care 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.
Each chiropractor is uniquely qualified to evaluate your condition and identify what’s causing your pain.
Based on available evidence, combined with their clinical expertise, your chiropractor will then work with you to determine the best service to ease your pain.
They will also help prevent it from returning and support your mobility.
And in Ontario, you can visit a chiropractor without a referral from a doctor or other health care professional.
Visit a chiropractor to live your best life
When to visit a Chiropractor?
You may want to visit a chiropractor at various times throughout your life. A chiropractor can ease long-term or sporadic pain, support health and help you live well.
Whether we’re at home, work or out and about, daily living puts strain on our bodies. You may experience persistent headaches, migraines, back, neck or joint pain. You may also have this type of pain due to an injury, accident, illness or long-term condition.
Taking pain relievers and anti-inflammatory medications may temporarily ease your symptoms but may not address the underlying cause. They may also create new health challenges. Consider visiting a chiropractor instead. Using primarily their hands, your chiropractor will provide care these issues without medication or surgery and help help prevent recurrence. But you don’t have to have an issue or be in persistent pain to visit a chiropractor. They can help you at many other times.
Why visit a Chiropractor?
Visit a chiropractor for pain…
- In your low back or pelvis In your neck
- In your hip, knee, ankle, or foot
- In your head
- In your shoulder
- In your elbow, wrist, or hand
- Due to arthritis, diabetes, or other chronic conditions
- Due to spinal stenosis
- With depression or other mental health issues
After an accident or injury
Health history
As mentioned, your first appointment includes a comprehensive assessment to help determine the cause of the problem and how to address it. To do so, expect that the history-taking portion of the visit may include questions about the following areas of your health:
- Personal and family medical history
- Major illnesses you have experienced
- Surgeries or operations you have had
- Medications you are taking
- A description of your area(s) of concern
- A description of the general state of your health
- The steps you have taken to manage your condition
- Your diet and exercise
- Your sleeping habits
- Your daily activities
- Your work routine
- Your stress level
- Your home life
Typically, patients can expect a chiropractor to go through a more diagnostic process during the initial visit. However, this may be different from person to person depending on the nature of the injury and personal history.
Maximizing the benefits
Building a therapeutic relationship with a new practitioner can take some time, but investing in good communication at the outset can help you gain the benefit of your chiropractic care. Dr. Chan will be happy to answer questions, address concerns, and explain different options to you. This may include preventative strategies and changes in lifestyle practices.
Your first visit with us.
It is common to have questions and even trepidations before your first visit. Luckily, we know that new patients may need extra time to discuss their questions or concerns. You can play a role in your own chiropractic care before your first visit. A way to be involved in your own healthcare is to learn about what you can expect from visit #1.
Dr. Chan would like to gain your visit by providing one on one, direct patient-centered and focused care, starting with your initial visit.
Duration of visit
Depending on the injury or condition , initial visits can last from 45 to 60 minutes. Subsequent visits will likely be shorter, but the first visit aims to start building the therapeutic relationship, identifying the cause of the problem and discussing a proposed plan of management. As spine, muscle, and nervous system experts, chiropractors are extensively trained to assess, , manage, and prevent reoccurrence of musculoskeletal conditions while specifically addressing your needs and goals.
After the appointment
You may feel some slight discomfort or fatigue after your visit, but it should resolve quickly. After your visit, if you have additional questions or concerns, simply contact the office or write them down to be discussed at a subsequent visit.