Chiropractic

Chiropractors are doctors of complementary and alternative health care that focus on diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disorders of the skeleton, muscles, and nerves of the whole body, not just the spine. Chiropractic is a drug-free non-surgical approach to health care. Chiropractors use manual therapy including spinal adjustments and soft-tissue manipulation as well as prescription of exercises and lifestyle counseling to treat a wide range of health problems. Chiropractors are the 3rd largest group of healthcare providers in North America after medical doctors and dentists. For more information about how chiropractors can help, you can visit the Canadian Chiropractic Association website.

Your treatment depends on the problem you have. Joint manipulation, or adjustment, involves a gentle specific movement to the involved joint. A joint may be restricted or locked up, limiting normal movement and biomechanics. An adjustment applies a controlled force to such joints to normalize their movement and alignment. This treatment also stimulates joint receptors which inhibit pain signals and allow muscles around the joint to relax. An adjustment can also break up scar tissue that forms around joints.

We specialize in soft tissue therapies such as Active Release Technique™ (ART) using specific contacts and movement to actively release scar tissue and myofascial adhesions that have accumulated due to repetitive strain injuries/overuse, sports injuries, or motor vehicle accidents. These problems can affect muscles, tendons, ligaments, and nerves. The treatment feels like a combination of deep tissue massage with stretching movements repeated several times to release pain and tension. We also use strengthening exercises and therapeutic stretching to complement in-office treatment. In addition, custom orthotics or braces may be prescribed.

The cracking sound when a joint is adjusted is the release of gas pressure in the joint. There is gas dissolved in the fluid inside joints and when the pressure is altered by stretching it, gas bubbles are released. It is similar to what happens when you open a can of pop. The purpose of an adjustment is not to make a cracking sound but rather to normalize the movement and alignment of the joint. The occasional crack that occurs is simply a side effect of treatment that many patients welcome.

The adjustments do not usually cause any discomfort. In fact, most patients enjoy the relief of tension that occurs almost immediately. Soft tissue therapy with movement may cause some discomfort similar to getting deep tissue massage but patient comfort is our priority. Many patients request a more gentle approach which we can also offer.

Our treatment plans are tailored to the individual patient’s needs and comfort. If we determine joint adjustments would benefit the patient then we will recommend it as part of the treatment plan. If adjustments are contraindicated or if they make the patient uncomfortable we will use other effective techniques such as joint mobilizations, stretching, or exercises instead.

Chiropractic care is one of the safest treatment options for back and neck pain. Every patient will be provided an informed consent process during which they can learn about the risks and benefits and ask specific questions.

Chiropractic treatments help with pain relief. Some things may become less painful over time if you leave them alone; on the other hand, the pain and the condition may get worse. Treatment will usually increase the speed of healing and reduced the risk of future recurrences. It is always recommended to get checked by one of our doctors or therapists to determine the cause of your discomfort and the appropriate course of action whether it be active care in the clinic or home care that you can do on your own.

This myth started with people who only felt better if they got treated. When the positive treatment effects went unsupported and wore off they wanted to return for more treatment. If a patient presents with neck and shoulder pain due to poor posture and long hours at a desk, they generally feel significant relief. However the patient may experience a relapse in his/her condition if they return to their poor postural habits at work; if they neglect their homecare recommendations; or if they have a lifestyle that predisposes them to injury, the problem may return.

Patients generally fall into one of two categories: Those who suffer a traumatic injury such as a sports injury or motor vehicle accident and those who suffer from chronic conditions such as pain resulting from poor posture or repetitive stress. The traumatic injury patients typically follow a set treatment plan until their condition resolves and are released from care at that time. The chronic pain group of patients often experience fluctuations in their condition and generally do best with preventative or maintenance care overseen by our doctors and therapists. The frequency of check-ups can vary depending on the individual. These decisions are made together with your healthcare professional.

At any given time about 15-20% of the population see a chiropractor.

For spinal assessments, you may be asked to wear an open-back patient gown along with pants/shorts. Men may simply remove their shirts if they wish.

Generally, it is easiest to perform an assessment when you wear something in which you can move freely and which allows the doctor to see and touch the area being assessed. Loose or stretchy shorts/ pants allow easier access to areas such as the hip. Knee assessments require that you wear shorts or loose pants that can be pulled up to mid-thigh.

If you forget to bring appropriate clothing, don’t worry, we can provide you with clinic shorts and/or gowns so you are never unnecessarily exposed and you will never be made to expose an area that makes you uncomfortable.

Our chiropractic services in Burnaby and Vancouver are covered by most private insurance companies. We offer direct billing to most third-party insurance companies. We also accept MSP, ICBC, and WCB.

We treat patients of all ages. Children under the age of 10 can be co-treated with the cooperation of a pediatrician or family doctor.