| Doctors
of Chiropractic are
health care providers who specialize in care of the spine and spine
related health conditions. Chiropractic means the branch of the
healing arts that is concerned with the restoration and maintenance
of health through adjustment by hand, or the use of devices directly
related to the adjustment of the articulations of the human body
and that is involved primarily with the relationship of the spinal
column to the nervous system. It requires a minimum of 7 years
training to become a chiropractor. [Top] |
| Our bodies
are stressed 24 hours a day.
Stress encompasses all aspects of our existence. Posture, gravity,
employment, sleep positions and emotional tension all accumulate
to make our bodies constantly compensate. [Top] |
| What is
a spine? The spine
consists of 24 movable bones called vertebrae (bones that
make up the spine). Discs act like shock absorbers in a car to cushion
the impact that the spine must endure with day to day living. The
brain controls and coordinates all of the bodies activities by sending
impulses along the 31 pairs of spinal nerve roots that emerge between
the vertebrae to every part of the body. |
| Subluxation:
Everyday stresses result in one or more of the vertebrae (bones
that make up the spine) losing their normal motion. The resulting
abnormal motion is referred to as subluxation.This abberrant
motion causes pressure which irritates the nerves leaving the spinal
column. The pressure on the nerves alters the nerve supply going
to all tissues. [Top] |
| What do
chiropractors treat?
Chiropractors treat subluxations. By removing the subluxation's
abnormal (locked) motion the irritation is also removed. [Top] |
| What is
an adjustment? "Adjustment"
refers to the delivery of a specific manoeuvre that restores the
vertebrae's normal motion. This improved motion removes irritation
to the nerve, allowing it to function properly. Your chiropractor
spends a minimum of 4 years learning how to deliver an adjustment.
For that reason, only he/she should be performing manipulation.
[Top] |
| Is chiropractic
just adjusting?
Chiropractic is a lot more than an adjustment. Your chiropractor
will also outline a program tailored to you for stretching, strengthening,
cardiovascular health, and changes in lifestyle for you to consider,
if you so desire. [Top] |
| Do I need
a referral from my medical doctor to see a Doctor of Chiropractic?
No referral is necessary
in British Columbiato to see a chiropractor. A Doctor of Chiropractic
is a primary health care professional. [Top] |
| Should I
see a chiropractor if I just have a muscle spasm?
The muscle spasm is a symptom of a traumatized joint. Chiropractors,
therefore, treat the joint problem which is the cause of the spasming
muscle, often in conjunction with practitioners of other fields
of health care. [Top] |
| Should I
wait until I am in pain to see a chiropractor? Pain is a signal
that some vital body circuitry is malfunctioning. Pain is not, however,
the only sign that something is going wrong. Periodic spinal checkups
can often detect a problem before the pain begins. [Top] |
| Chiropractic
for pregnancy?
Absolutely! The extra weight and pressure, combined with the
hormonal changes, increases the stress placed on the spine's holding
elements. It is not surprising that the low back pain suffered by
so many mothers-to-be is alleviated by chiropractic care. [Top] |
| Chiropractic
for children? Yes!
Some musculoskeletal problems begin in infancy, eg. scoliosis. They
continue to manifest through childhood, only being recognized when
in an advanced state. [Top] |
| Chiropractic
for seniors? Definitely!
As we age, certain joints tend to show wear sooner than others.
As a result, their normal motion tends to decrease. With increased
motion comes increased nutrition to the affected joint. [Top] |
| Chiropractic
for sports injuries?
Most definitely! For years chiropractors have been working with
sports organizations. Proper rehabilitation from a sporting injury
involves more than simply knowing where to apply heat verses ice.
Dr. McDiarmid has an additional 3 years post-graduate training
in chiropractic sports medicine having attained Fellowship accreditation
in the Chiropractic College of Sports Sciences. [Top] |
| Chiropractic
for a car or work accident?
No question! Motor vehicle accidents and work injuries traumatize
the skeleton. An immediate consultation with your chiropractor should
be your top priority. [Top] |
| Why is good
posture important?
Poor posture leads to faulty body mechanics due to the daily stresses
our bodies must endure. Proper posture helps to distribute the stresses,
so no single area is stressed more than the others. [Top] |
| Do I have
to come in for more than one treatment?
One adjustment cannot reverse a lifetime of compensating for day-to-day
stresses. Your chiropractor will often prescribe a treatment schedule
that spans a specific period of time. Because each person is an
individual, so is each treatment schedule. [Top] |
| Do I have
to have an X-ray?
X-rays can be an essential part of the chiropractic diagnosis. Your
British Columbia Medical Services Plan does not cover X-rays taken
by chiropractors. Your chiropractor only recommends taking X-rays
when absolutely necessary. [Top] |
| How do I
make an appointment?
Call our clinic any time during office hours. Your initial consultation
will take approximately 30 minutes. If you are unable to keep any
appointment, please give us at least 24 hours notice. If you fail
to let us know that you can't keep your appointment, someone else
who is in just as much need of treatment may not be able to see
the Doctor. [Top] |
| I still
have questions!
If you have any questions that aren't answered here, please feel
free to call our clinic. Our friendly staff will be glad to help.
[Top] |