Chiropractic
An adjustment is a highly skilled and precise movement usually applied by hand to a joint of the body. Adjustment loosens the joint to restore proper movement and optimize function.
When a joint is adjusted, a gas bubble escapes causing the popping noise you may have heard about.
Chiropractic adjustment techniques have been researched extensively. Complications are rare and side-effects, such as temporary soreness, are usually minor. Your chiropractor is well-trained to determine if your problem will respond to chiropractic care or if you require referral to another health care provider.
Eight out of ten Canadians will experience back pain at some point in their life, and at least one-third of people in Ontario will have back pain at any given time. For many, pain can interfere with work, school, or daily activities. If pain causes interruptions or restrictions in your life, you should consult a healthcare provider.
Chiropractors are regulated primary healthcare professionals and one of the five classes of healthcare professionals in Ontario authorized to use the title “Doctor.”
Chiropractors are highly educated and extensively trained to assess, diagnose, treat, and prevent conditions of the spine, joints, muscles, and nervous system. These disorders may include:
Back pain
Neck pain
Headaches
Pain radiating to arms and legs
Many patients seek chiropractic treatment for wellness care, while others, like seniors, use it to maintain mobility and range of motion.
Common reasons to visit a chiropractor include:
Back pain
Neck pain
Headaches
Whiplash
Strains and sprains
Repetitive strain injuries
Work and sports-related injuries
Arthritis
Restricted movement in the back, shoulders, neck, or limbs
General health and well-being
Chiropractic care can:
Improve movement in the neck, shoulders, back, and torso
Improve posture
Provide relief from headaches, neck, and back pain
Help prevent work-related muscle and joint injuries
Enhance athletic performance
Improve flexibility and range of motion
Relieve pregnancy-related back pain
Correct gait and foot problems
Chiropractic is widely recognized as one of the safest, drug-free, non-invasive therapies for treating headaches, neck pain, and back pain. It has an excellent safety record, but no treatment is entirely free of potential side effects.
Most patients experience immediate relief following an adjustment, though some may have temporary pain, stiffness, or slight swelling.
Informed Consent
Before treatment, all healthcare providers are legally required to obtain informed consent. Chiropractors take this responsibility seriously, ensuring patients understand the risks and benefits.
Neck Adjustment & Stroke Risk
Rare cases of stroke-like symptoms have been associated with neck adjustments. However, studies show this risk is significantly lower than risks associated with long-term use of common pain medications. Research indicates neck adjustments are well within the normal range of motion and unlikely to cause vascular damage.
Chiropractors are primary contact health professionals in every Canadian province, meaning patients can consult them directly without a referral. However, chiropractors often work closely with medical doctors and may refer patients to them when necessary.
Chiropractic care does not “cure” all ailments, but adjustments may have a beneficial effect on various conditions by relieving secondary or referred pain caused by musculoskeletal issues.
Chiropractic is one of the largest primary-contact healthcare professions in Ontario, with over 3,100 practicing chiropractors. Approximately 1.2 million Ontarians visit a chiropractor annually to help them return to work and normal activities.
Yes, many amateur and professional athletes use chiropractic treatment as part of their fitness and maintenance programs. Chiropractic care:
Improves muscle and joint conditioning
Enhances biomechanical function
Helps prevent injuries
Reduces healing time for injuries
Athletes often receive treatment to improve performance, while the average consumer seeks care for pain management. In professional sports, chiropractors work alongside medical doctors, massage therapists, and physiotherapists.
X-rays play a crucial role in diagnosis and are taken when deemed necessary based on a patient’s history and physical examination. Chiropractors receive extensive training in radiology, covering topics from protection to interpretation and diagnosis.
Governments in every Canadian province recognize chiropractors’ competence in taking and interpreting X-rays.
The word “chiropractic” comes from ancient Greek, meaning “done by hand.”
Chiropractic care involves manual adjustments of the spine and other joints to relieve pain and restore normal function. Chiropractors are specialists in spinal manipulation, therapeutic exercise, nutritional counseling, rehabilitation programs, and injury prevention strategies.
Laser Therapy
When photons of light penetrate the skin and underlying tissue, they are absorbed by the cell and converted into energy, altering cell membrane permeability. This triggers a cascade of cellular events, including:
Stimulation of ATP
Stimulation of the respiratory chain
Increased DNA and RNA synthesis
Increased levels of beta endorphins and serotonin
Enhanced collagen synthesis
There are two types of medical lasers: high-power and low-power. High-power lasers cut through tissue, while low-level lasers stimulate tissue repair through bio-stimulation.
The term “laser” stands for Light Amplification by the Stimulated Emission of Radiation. The first low-level therapeutic laser was developed in 1962, and by the late 1960s, researchers found that low-level laser radiation improved wound healing.
Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) involves applying red and near-infrared light over injuries or wounds to promote soft tissue healing and relieve pain. This therapy is:
Cold (sub-thermal)
Non-damaging to cells
Precise and safe for various conditions
LLLT operates between 1 to 500 mW (milliwatts), while surgical lasers operate between 3,000 to 10,000 mW.
Phototherapy is a broad term that includes low-level laser therapy (LLLT) and super-luminous diodes (SLD), also known as light-emitting diodes (LEDs).
Laser light is different from natural light because it is:
Monochromatic (single wavelength)
Coherent (waves are synchronized)
Focused (penetrates tissues without heating or damaging them)
Therapeutic laser light penetrates the skin without causing heat or damage. Different wavelengths and power levels determine the level of penetration and cellular effects.
The effects of MedX Phototherapy can be:
Local: Direct benefits over the affected injury.
Regional: Positive effects in the surrounding tissue.
Systemic: Broader effects through increased cell membrane permeability and chemical mediators carried by the blood, lymphatic, and nervous systems.
MedX Laser/Phototherapy devices are placed directly on the skin with gentle pressure. Treatment is generally painless.
Common treatment areas include:
Directly over the lesion or injury site
Muscle insertion points
Trigger or tender points
Nerve roots or superficial nerve trunks
Acupuncture points
Phototherapy/laser therapy can be used as a standalone treatment or combined with other therapies such as:
Manual therapies
Acupuncture
Ultrasound
Massage therapy
Orthotics
Orthotics, or ‘Orthoses’, are inserts that fit inside shoes to support and improve foot function. They are commonly prescribed for patients with chronic foot or lower limb issues and for athletes to enhance performance in sports.
You should wear your orthotics whenever you are on your feet—at work, home, and during activities. Similar to eyeglasses, orthotics only work when they are worn. Removing them may cause the return of stress and discomfort that existed before their use.
During the first few weeks, you may experience aches and pains in your feet and legs. This is normal and indicates that your orthotics are working. Your body needs time to adjust to the correction.
However, if discomfort persists beyond a few weeks, you should contact your provider, as a minor adjustment may be needed.
Yes, orthotics are most effective in well-constructed, properly fitting, and good-condition shoes.
It is recommended to bring your frequently worn shoes when being fitted for orthotics. This helps in prescribing the correct type of orthotics for your lifestyle.
Patients may be prescribed two pairs of orthotics (e.g., dress and sport orthotics) for different footwear needs.
When buying new shoes, bring your orthotics with you to ensure a proper fit.