What does a chiropractor do?
As a chiropractor in the province of Ontario, we can treat the joints of the spine and the joints of the extremities (shoulders, fingers, elbows, knees, hips, etc…). We restore the motion in the joints of the spine or extremities that are restricted in motion by treating the joints themselves as well as the soft tissues connected to these joints.
Is chiropractic care safe?
This is a very common question. If chiropractic wasn’t safe for the majority of people, we would not have a profession that is very successful at treating many things. The World Health Organization recently added chiropractic as a recommended treatment for chronic low back pain in adults (WHO guideline on chronic low back pain, 2023 ). There are some patients with pre-existing conditions, congenital anomalies or possibilities of pathology that would indicate that chiropractic care could potentially harm them. My number one goal of my assessment, besides determining your diagnosis, is to make sure that the treatment I can provide is SAFE FOR YOU. If I don’t think chiropractic care is safe for you, I will not treat you.
Can chiropractic adjustments hurt?
Generally, a chiropractic adjustment does not hurt. What can hurt is the contact with the tissues surrounding the joints being treated when there is inflammation. With my treatment, I do lots of soft tissue work around the area of the adjustment, which can cause some discomfort, but it can also cause the muscles to relax making the adjustment easier. I always work with your tolerance level.
Do I need a referral to see a chiropractor?
I do not need a referral to see a patient. For most insurance companies in Ontario, you do not need a referral from a medical doctor for your insurance company to cover chiropractic visits. There are a few however, that do require a referral, so we always recommend that you check your plan for the specifics.
How many sessions will I need?
The number of sessions or visits needed is very dependent on the reason for your visit in the first place. You must consider the duration, intensity, type of injury, location and mode of onset. For the majority of issues that I see, most people respond to the acute pain within 2-6 visits. For some, the pain may go away completely quickly, but the majority of people need multiple visits for complete resolution of symptoms. Once the pain is diminished, some need rehabilitation to address the reasons the injury happened. Others may need to work on strengthening and improving the functional capacity of the tissues. Both of which take time that varies depending on all the factors particular to that patient.
What should I expect on the first visit?
At MMD Chiropractic, we book all new patients for 45-60min. Intake forms are sent via email and completed through our online booking system. If forms are not completed prior to your arrival or you need to verify insurance info, paperwork can be completed when you arrive at our office. A complete history of the injury, as well as previous medical history will be discussed. If movement is minimally impaired, a functional movement screen will be used to assess full body motion. Sometimes this cannot be completed due to the level of pain severely impairing mobility. A focused physical exam to the area(s) will then be performed to identify the tissues involved and diagnose the issue. If imaging does not need to be completed, the diagnosis and treatment plan will be discussed and reviewed. For the majority of patients, treatment is provided on the initial visit unless imaging or further information needs to be obtained.
I hope this has offered some answers to some common questions. I will follow this post with part 2 in February. If you have further questions about yourself or a friend or family member, please email me directly at drmarnie@mmdchiropractic.ca. You may also call the clinic at 905-529-2911. Bookings can be made online by clicking the Book Now button below.