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Your spinal cord is surrounded by a flexible tunnel of interlocking bones – or vertebrae – called the spinal column. Providing flexibility and movement, as well as protection for the spinal cord, the spinal column is one of the body’s most complex and sophisticated architectural structures.

The health of every part of the body depends on the proper flow of information along your central nervous system. When the spine’s vertebrae are in their proper positions, messages travel between the brain the rest of the body without interference. When the vertebrae become misaligned, however, these messages can become distorted, resulting in diminished performance, discomfort and pain.

Restoring the information network
Chiropractic therapy is a hands-on, drug-free approach to general health care that focuses on identifying, analyzing and correcting misalignments of the spine in order to allow optimal functioning of the nervous system and the body as a whole. While spinal manipulation is used to restore mobility to injured joints and tissues, chiropractic doctors may also recommend rehabilitative exercise and provide nutritional, dietary and lifestyle counselling as part of their treatment.

What conditions do chiropractors commonly treat?
Chiropractics is used to maintain overall health, as well as to treat a variety of musculo-skeletal issues, including:

• Low back pain
• Headaches
• Tennis Elbow
• Sciatica
• Disc Herniations
• Tendinitis
• Plantar Fasciitis

What to expect
Your first chiropractic appointment begins with a full consultation and evaluation, and may take up to 30 minutes. You will be asked to complete a thorough health history, and your chiropractic doctor will perform a physical examination of your spine using orthopedic tests.  In addition, x-rays may be required and are performed at no cost at London X-ray Associates. Follow-up appointments are shorter (up to 15 minutes) as your chiropractor focuses on assessment and treatment.

The chiropractic treatment usually takes place sitting or lying down. While you will remain fully clothed, it is recommended that you wear loose, comfortable clothing to your appointment.  

During treatment your chiropractor will exert a high-velocity, low-amplitude thrust  on misaligned vertebrae, so as to unlock them from their improper positions. You may hear a “popping” sound as the joint is released; this is caused by a change of pressure within the joint. These popping noises may lessen with repeated treatments as normal flexibility returns to the affected vertebrae. Your chiropractor may give one or several of these “adjustments” in a single session.

After your treatment, you may feel a surge of energy as normal nerve flow is restored to your body. Some people report feeling “loose” or relaxed, and many report an immediate decrease in symptoms such as pain.

Some people feel minor discomfort or achiness, as the muscles that had been holding the misaligned vertebrae learn to support them properly. This discomfort subsides within a day or two and usually disappears over the course of a treatment.

Before you leave, your chiropractor may recommend an exercise program or suggest lifestyle modifications to promote your physical and mental health.  He or she may also recommend that you supplement your chiropractic treatment with massage, acupuncture or ultrasound therapy.

The course of further treatments will vary from one patient to the next.  Your chiropractor may feel that follow-up treatments are indicated based on your unique circumstances, and if so, he or she will let you know at the end of your first visit.  Maintenance treatments are recommended every 4-6 weeks.

While chiropractors make no use of drugs or surgery, they do refer patients for medical care when those interventions are indicated.

Accreditation
Chiropractic practice is regulated under Ontario provincial law. Like a conventional doctor or dentist, a chiropractic doctor first completes pre-medical studies at university. The chiropractic student then enters into a four-year, full-time medical program at an accredited school of chiropractic medicine. Graduates must pass federal and provincial licensing exams before they are able to practice.

For more information about chiropractic care, please contact the College of Chiropractors of Ontario.