Chiropractic

What is Chiropractic?

Chiropractic is a health care profession. Chiropractors, or doctors of chiropractic, are experts in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of problems of the muscles and joints. They also consider the effects of muscle and joint disorders on the function of the nervous system. For treatment, chiropractors often use spine manipulation (adjustment), soft-tissue manipulation (massage), and exercise. Follow this link for a more detailed description of the chiropractic profession in Canada.

Why see a Chiropractor?

People who suffer with pain from workplace or motor vehicle accidents, sports injuries, stress and even everyday activities seek chiropractic care for their pain relief. Most patients (76%) seen by a chiropractor are being treated for a spine-related problem like neck pain or back pain.

People commonly see a chiropractor for:

• Back pain (See this video about chiropractic treatment for back pain)

The Consumer Reports Overview of Alternative Therapies found that chiropractic was rated as the most effective treatment for back pain. Chiropractic was rated higher than all other back-pain treatments. The Consumer Reports Health Ratings Center survey indicated that chiropractic was the most satisfying treatment available for back pain.

• Neck pain (See this video about chiropractic treatment for neck pain)

The Consumer Reports Overview of Alternative Therapies found that chiropractic was rated as the number one most effective treatment for neck pain. It was was rated higher than all other available neck-pain treatments.

• Headaches, including migraines

The Consumer Reports Overview of Alternative Therapies found that chiropractic was one of the top three most effective treatments for headaches. Chiropractic treatment was the highest rated drug-free approach to headache treatment.

• Whiplash and car accident injuries
• Strains and sprains from sports injuries or day-to-day tasks
• Workplace injuries
• General health and well-being

**People who include a chiropractor as part of their healthcare team report being satisfied or very satisfied with their care**

What to expect at your first visit to the chiropractor

On your first visit, you will fill out brief paperwork that will indicate to the chiropractor why you are seeking care. The chiropractor will then use a variety of diagnostic techniques to determine the cause of the complaint. This might include asking questions about your injury or condition, performing a physical examination and perhaps ordering X-rays (if necessary). Once your condition is assessed, the chiropractor will recommend the optimal forms of treatment, as well as some alternative options.

What treatment approaches to expect at the chiropractor

Chiropractors usually treat their patients with a combination of spine manipulation (aka adjustment), joint mobilization, soft-tissue therapies (such as deep-tissue massage and trigger-point therapy), acupuncture, laser therapy, postural education, and rehabilitative exercises. The treatment approach most commonly associated with chiropractors is spine manipulation. This is a gentle, controlled and directed pressure that helps to restore the spine’s ability to move and function normally.

Insurance Coverage

Chiropractic services are widely covered under extended health care plans. Examples are Blue Cross, Sunlife, Great West Life and many others. Chiropractic care is covered by motor vehicle accident providers, Workers Compensation Board claims through work, and by most federal programs, e.g. Veterans Affairs, RCMP, etc. The Alberta Provincial Health Care Plan also partially covers chiropractic services for seniors (over 65). This coverage amounts to $25/visit to a maximum of $200/year. The Chiropractors Association of Alberta has a more detailed summary of the insurance coverage provided for chiropractic services in Alberta. We offer direct billing of insurance at Able Body Health Clinic, making it a great place to choose for chiropractic in Lethbridge.

Chiropractic Education

The World Health Organization has set standards for the education of doctors of chiropractic. Chiropractic students in Canada complete a minimum of 7-years of post-secondary education. This includes at least 3-years of an undergraduate university degree and a 4-year chiropractic program of over 4500 classroom hours. In addition to time spent in the classroom, chiropractic students spend over 250 hours dissecting human cadavers. Moreover, they must spend at least 1000 hours treating patients in a supervised clinic setting. Following successful completion of their education, chiropractors must pass the National licensing exams in order to receive a licensed to practice in Canada.

Research

Years of scientific research have proven that chiropractic care is effective and beneficial to patients. Manual therapies commonly used by chiropractors are effective for the treatment of low back pain, lumbar disc herniation with sciatica, neck pain, some forms of headache, and some extremity joint conditions(See the evidence report here). With regard to spine manipulation (adjustments) specifically, here is a summary of recent research examining the effectiveness of spine manipulation for various conditions.

For low back pain specifically, a scientific review concluded that spine manipulation could achieve equal or superior improvement in pain and function than all other commonly used treatments. Guidelines for medical physicians suggest that spine manipulation be one of the first lines of treatment for back pain.

Many of the chiropractors at Able Body Health Clinic have been extensively involved in research aimed at advancing the chiropractic profession and improving patient outcomes. Boasting chiropractors with advanced degrees, extensive research involvement, and decades of experience, Able Body is the best place to come for chiropractic in Lethbridge.