Ask the Doctor

What should I expect on my first visit?

Your chiropractor may ask about the following:

• personal and family medical history
• major illnesses you have experienced
• surgeries or operations you have had
• medications you are taking
• a description of your present condition
• the steps you have taken to manage your condition
• your diet and exercise
• your sleeping habits, daily activities, work routine, stress level, and home life

TIP: Wear comfortable clothes and shoes for your visit to the chiropractor! Your chiropractor may ask you to change into a gown to perform some of these tests:

• a check of your blood pressure, pulse, and breathing
• a test of your reflexes, strength, and sensations
• an analysis of your posture
• a x-ray of your spine (only if necessary)
• an analysis of your movement - he/she will observe how you walk, turn, bend or lift things, as well as how your body moves in the affected area
• a hands-on evaluation of how well your spine moves, identifying restrictions and areas of improper motion

TIP: Bring a copy of any x-rays or radiology reports you have. These assessments give your chiropractor a better picture of your complete health. He or she will make a diagnosis, prescribe a course of treatment, and once the matter of informed consent has been discussed, treatment usually begins.

Is it bad to “crack” your neck or back a lot?

The desire to "crack" or "pop" your neck or back is often times caused by jamming of the joints of the spine. This jamming in one part of the spine can cause other parts of the spine to compensate by moving too much and popping or clicking a lot. It is for this reason that chiropractors are trained to assess the structure and functions of the spine to determine which parts are not moving, and which parts are.  Only the parts that need to be moved are then adjusted.

What type of complaints typically see a chiropractor?

Chiropractors typically treat disorders of the neuromusculoskeletal system (nerves, muscles and joints). Some examples of areas that we treat at Downtown Chiropractic include: Headaches, neck pain, shoulder pain, tennis elbow, golfer's elbow, nerve entrapments, carpal tunnel syndrome, rib complaints, low back pain, sciatica, hip, knee, foot and ankle joint complaints.

Is chiropractic covered by OHIP or my insurance plan?

Chiropractic is no longer covered by OHIP. However, most insurance carriers do cover chiropractic care. Check with you health insurance plan or employer to find out if you are covered.

My chiropractor has recommended neck adjustments. Is this safe?

File: PatientNeckAdjustmentHand-Out.pdf

Periodically we do get questions on the safety of chiropractic care for the neck. We maintain that adjustments in the neck are not only very safe, but also an effective treatment of conditions such as neck pain, whiplash and many types of headaches, among others. The Canadian Chiropractic Association has prepared well researched answers to many of the questions relating to chiropractic neck adjustments in the .pdf document above.

Why should I see a Chiropractor?

• Are you suffering from lower back pain? Or, do your headaches never seem to go away?
• Have you been injured at work or in a car accident and are having trouble dealing with the pain?
• Are you active in sports, but after the game have stiff joints and shooting pains?
• Are you pregnant with an aching back?
• Are you in your Golden years and having trouble enjoying retirement because those aches and pains are getting in the way?
• Are you concerned with the health of your whole body, and are looking for a different approach to health care?
• Are you concerned with your newborn's or child's long term well being and growth?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, You should visit your local chiropractor.

Every day in Canada, over 120,000 people receive treatment from Doctors of Chiropractic.

Chiropractors use a combination of treatments for your condition. They are specialists in using exact, gentle manipulations of your spine to make you feel great. Chiropractic treatment also includes diet and exercise programs to get you back into tip-top shape (This answer was provided by the Ontario Chiropractic Association).