2A-245 King St W. Oshawa ON L1J 2J7 905-433-9520

FAQ

Frequently Asked Question Topics

"At the heart of chiropractic is the spinal adjustment. A chiropractor, in attempting to restore and maintain optimum health, locates and corrects spinal subluxations to enhance nervous system function. This corrective process is called a spinal adjustment.” Gilles A. Lamarche, D.C. The Spinal Adjustment is a specific application of a gentle force utilized to correct vertebral subluxations. Scientific research has proven the direct relationship between the nervous system and the immune system. The immune system is the one that governs whether or not people will fall victim to infectious or other detrimental processes. Since the nervous system controls all functions and healing in the human body and can be put in jeopardy by spinal dysfunction, it is imperative that everyone have optimal spinal function. The spine is the most common area which interference to the nervous system occurs. This is called the Vertebral Subluxation Complex. Only Chiropractors are trained to detect and correct these interferences in a person’s spine. The sound an adjustment makes is called a "Cavitation". The cavitations that you sometimes hear during the adjustment are caused by gas being released from the misaligned joints.
Chiropractors restore proper motion to joints that are not moving properly to keep the discs, nervous system and the body healthy and pain-free. A history of the patient's chief complaint(s) is the first step in ascertaining the cause and treatment for a patient. The history is followed by an examination where a thermal scan, range of motion test and motion palpation of the spine are done. X-rays may be taken to assess and detect any structural and functional problems. The patient will then schedule an appointment for a "Doctor's Report" visit, where the Doctor will explain the underlying issues and recommend a treatment plan that will improve their condition. Periodic examinations (Progress Reports) will also be done to ensure and monitor patient improvement.
Your spine has been misaligned for a long time and that has created pressure on nerves and has interfered with how they function.
  1. The first phase of care is to help relieve symptoms. It's the patient's responsibility to keep their scheduled appointments and perform the recommendations suggested by the doctors. Even though symptoms may have been reduced a great deal, the next phase of care is where correction occurs.
  2. The second phase of care is where correction of spinal issues takes place.
  3. The third phase of care is the strengthening phase, where we stabilize the spine.
  4. The fourth phase of care, also referred to as wellness care, will help prevent future conditions from occurring. Patients also notice that if future injuries occur, their body heals faster.
We do not adjust on the same day as your initial consultation because the doctor requires time to carefully review all of the findings (symptoms, posture, range of motion, motion palpation, thermal scan and X-rays) before deciding what the best course of action would be.
No, because each patient is unique, patients are adjusted according to their needs. After completing a thorough examination, your Chiropractor will determine the best choice of therapy for you. It may involve a specific technique or a combination of techniques. The goal is to improve your condition through gentle adjustments that work within your comfort zone.
Most people receiving the adjustment will describe a sense of relaxation, increased freedom of motion, sense of better balance and a decreased state of stress. The Doctor will use his hands or specific instruments to check your nervous system and adjust any areas where there is interference (subluxation). As a general rule, your adjustment is complete when your neck, shoulders and hips and even and in proper alignment. At this point your body is functioning at its optimal level for healing!
Great! Most people experience more energy, less discomfort, more flexibility, and an overall feeling of enhanced well-being. Sometimes, significant changes may occur too quickly, leading to slight short-term discomforts such as headaches, sniffles, a slight fever, drowsiness, lethargy or similar reactions. The Doctor will monitor your progress very closely to ensure maximal comfort during this time of change. In some patients with long-term chronic conditions, realigning the spine may also cause the muscles around the spine to be sore. This is only temporary, until the weakened muscles are strengthened. This is comparable to the discomfort felt after a good work out at the gym.
Retracing is the re-experiencing or re-awakening of old pain or other symptoms that suddenly comes to the surface. This is a natural part of the healing process and these symptoms and feelings will soon pass. When a person suffers a trauma, accident or injury, the body tissues themselves have a 'memory' which records the incident. Since injury is associated with feelings of panic, shock, anger/hysteria, these may be the feelings the patient retraces.
The healing process takes time. Depending on the severity of your spinal distortion or Vertebral Subluxation, the chiropractic patient may respond after only one, or a few spinal adjustments. No two people are the same, so even if two patients have the same spinal distortion, they will not heal in the same amount of time. There are three stages to consider in how long will it take to heal. First is the initial intensive care, where visits are frequent and we are focusing on reducing symptoms. Second is the rehabilitative care, where the objective is to stabilize spinal function to complete healing. Last is maintenance care, where regular check-ups prevent old and new spinal problems from occurring and reoccurring. You have to invest time in chiropractic care to maintain your health. The chiropractor will recommend a care schedule, depending on age, condition and lifestyle.