What Happens at the Chiropractor?

what happens at the chiro

Written by: Meditrader member - Dr Thornton Vivier - MTech: Chiropractic (DUT)

What is Chiropractic?

Chiropractic is a health care profession that focuses on the neuromusculoskeletal system and its relationship between the body's structure—mainly the spine—and its functioning. Although practitioners may use a variety of non-surgical, non-drug related treatment approaches, the core treatment tool of Chiropractic is the High Velocity, Low Amplitude adjustment (manipulations), which is unique to Chiropractic. The adjustment is usually applied to the spine or other parts of the body with the goal of correcting alignment problems, alleviating pain, improving function, and supporting the body's natural ability to heal itself.

Consultation

The initial consultation lasts 45 minutes and follow-ups are 30 minutes. During the initial visit, a health history will be taken and a physical examination performed, with a special emphasis on the spine. If chiropractic treatment is considered appropriate, a treatment plan will be developed and discussed with the patient. Patients may also be referred for further diagnostic testing using X-rays or Ultrasound. If you have had any previous Diagnostic imaging it may be helpful to bring copies of your images to your initial consultation.

Chiropractors may combine the use of spinal adjustments with several other treatments and approaches such as:

  • Heat and ice

  • Dry Needling

  • Strapping

  • Kinesiotape

  • Massage

  • Rehabilitative and general exercise

  • Counseling about diet, weight loss, and other lifestyle factors

  • Dietary supplements

 Frequently Asked Questions About Chiropractic

Q: What conditions do chiropractors treat?
A: Chiropractors care for patients of all ages, with a variety of health conditions such as:  

  • Back Pain

  • Nerve Root Entrapments

  • Neck Pain

  • Headaches

  • Posture

  • Alignment Issues

  • Arthritis

  • Joint Pain

  • Scoliosis

  • Asthma

They also diagnose and manage a wide range of injuries and disorders of the musculoskeletal system, involving the:

  • muscles (tears and strains)

  • ligaments (ankle sprains, etc.)

  • joints (knee and shoulder injuries,etc.)

Chiropractic is especially important in the management and prevention of injury in athletes who place high demands on their bodies and as such, often require maintenance care, much the same as a high performance race-car. With many clinical trials even showing improved levels of performance following Chiropractic care.

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

Q: How is a chiropractic adjustment performed?
A: Chiropractic adjustment or manipulation is a manual procedure that utilizes the highly refined skills developed during the doctor of chiropractic’s intensive years of chiropractic education. The chiropractic physician typically uses his or her hands to manipulate the joints of the body, particularly the spine, in order to restore or enhance joint function. This often helps resolve joint inflammation and reduces the patient's pain by relieving muscle spasm. Chiropractic manipulation is a highly controlled procedure that rarely causes discomfort. The chiropractor adapts the procedure to meet the specific needs of each patient. Patients often note positive changes in their symptoms immediately following treatment.

Q: Is chiropractic treatment safe?
A: Chiropractic is widely recognized as one of the safest drug-free, non-invasive therapies available for the treatment of neuromusculoskeletal complaints. Although chiropractic has an excellent safety record, no health treatment is completely free of potential adverse effects. The risks associated with chiropractic, however, are very small. Many patients feel immediate relief following chiropractic treatment, but some may experience mild soreness, stiffness or aching, just as they do after some forms of exercise. Current research shows that minor discomfort or soreness following spinal manipulation typically fades within 24 hours. Chiropractors are well trained professionals who provide patients with safe, effective care for a variety of common conditions. Their extensive education has prepared them to identify patients who have special risk factors and to get those patients the most appropriate care, even if that requires referral to a medical specialist.

Q: Does chiropractic treatment require a referral from a GP?
A: Chiropractors are Primary Healthcare Practitioners and as such require no referral from a GP. Most medical schemes cover Chiropractic care without referral from a medical doctor.

Q: Is chiropractic treatment appropriate for children?
A: Yes, children can benefit from chiropractic care. Children are very physically active and experience many types of falls and blows from activities of daily living as well as from participating in sports. Injuries such as these may cause many symptoms including back and neck pain, stiffness, soreness or discomfort. Chiropractic care is always adapted to the individual patient. It is a highly skilled treatment, and in the case of children, very gentle.

Q: Is chiropractic treatment ongoing?
A: The hands-on nature of the chiropractic treatment is essentially what requires patients to visit the chiropractor a number of times. To be treated by a chiropractor, a patient needs to be in his or her office. In contrast, a course of treatment from medical doctors often involves a pre-established plan that is conducted at home (i.e. taking a course of antibiotics once a day for a couple of weeks). A chiropractor may provide acute, chronic, and/or preventive care thus making a certain number of visits sometimes necessary. Your Chiropractor should tell you the extent of treatment recommended and how long you can expect it to last.

Q: Why is there a popping sound when a joint is adjusted?
A: Adjustment (or manipulation) of a joint may result in the release of a gas bubble between the joints, which makes a popping sound. The same thing occurs when you “crack” your knuckles. The noise is caused by the change of pressure within the joint, which results in gas bubbles being released. There is usually minimal, if any, discomfort involved. 

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