Frequently Asked Questions

After earning an undergraduate degree from a university, a Doctor of Chiropractic spends another four years at an accredited chiropractic college, receiving more than 4,200 hours of specialized clinical training.

As primary care practitioners, chiropractors will recommend a course of treatment specific to your condition that may include mobilization of the joints, soft tissue therapy, electrotherapies such as ultrasound, and therapeutic exercises. Chiropractors may also provide nutritional counselling, and recommend rehabilitation and injury prevention strategies.

Chiropractors are one of only seven classes of health care professionals in Ontario that are able to use the title Doctor, with its accompanying rights and obligations. They provide diagnosis of conditions and will often work with other health care professionals to assist in the treatment and management of those conditions. Chiropractors work complementarily with other healthcare providers, including (but not limited to): medical doctors, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, naturopathic doctors, social workers, psychologists, nurses, dentists, dieticians etc. Partnering with other healthcare professionals can build a strong network of resources that will benefit patients.

Chiropractors work in a variety of settings such as private practice, family health teams, hospitals, universities and many more.

Chiropractors are highly specialized in the diagnosis and treatment of conditions related to the neuromuscular skeletal system. Based on the examination performed by the chiropractor, a diagnosis is given and a treatment plan, specific for your condition, is prescribed.

Doctors of chiropractic care for patients of all ages, with a variety of health conditions. DCs are especially well known for their expertise in caring for patients with back pain, neck pain and headaches with their highly skilled manipulations, or chiropractic adjustments. They also care for patients with a wide range of injuries and disorders of the musculoskeletal system, involving the muscles, ligaments and joints.

• Disc Bulge/Herniations

• Sciatica

• Spinal Stenosis

• Whiplash

• Headaches/Migraines

• Rotator Cuff/Shoulder

• Injury

• TMJ Dysfunction

• Knee Pain

• Heel/Foot Pain

• Repetitive Sprain/Strain

• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

• Sport Injuries

• Work Related Injuries

• Motor Vehicle Accidents

• Pregnancy Related

• Discomfort

• And many more…

Chiropractors also counsel patients on diet, nutrition, exercise, healthy habits, and occupational and lifestyle modification.

Chiropractic is widely recognized as one of the safest, drug-free, non-invasive therapies available for the treatment of headache, and neck and back pain. It has an excellent safety record. However, no health treatment is completely free of potential adverse effects. Even common over-the-counter medicines carry a risk.
Most patients experience immediate relief following an adjustment, however, some may experience temporary pain, stiffness or slight swelling. Some patients may also experience temporary dizziness, local numbness, or radiating pain. However, adverse effects associated with spinal adjustment are most often minor and short-lived.

Chiropractic has been proven safe and effective for a range of conditions. Patients and their chiropractors work together to determine what treatment options appropriately balance risks with potential benefits. Chiropractors work to limit their patients’ risk by performing thorough histories and examinations and frequently re-evaluating symptoms and progress.

An adjustment is a highly skilled and precise movement usually applied by hand to a joint of the body. Adjustments free up the joint to restore proper movement and optimize function. This often helps resolve joint inflammation and reduces the patient’s pain.

A growing list of research studies and reviews demonstrate that the services provided by chiropractors are both safe and effective. The evidence strongly supports the natural, whole-body and cost-effective approach of chiropractic care for a variety of conditions.

To read excerpts from recent studies, visit www.acatoday.org/chiroresearch