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How Does Chiropractic Work?
Chiropractic works because you are a
self-healing, self-regulating organism controlled by your nervous
system. Millions of instructions flow from your brain, down the spinal
cord and out to every organ and tissue. Signals sent back to the brain
confirm if your body is working right. Improper motion or position of
the moving bones of the spine, called a subluxation, can interfere with
this vital exchange by irritating nerves and compromising the function
of affected tissues. Specific spinal adjustments can help improve
mind/body communications. Health often returns with improved nervous
system control of the body.
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Do I Have A Pinched Nerve?
A pinched nerve is rare. It is more
likely that an adjacent spinal bone irritates, stretches, rubs or chafes
the nerve. These subluxations distort the nerve messages sent between
the brain and the body. This can produce unhealthy alternations to the
organs and tissues connected by the affected nerves.
How Do You Get Subluxations?
There are three basic causes of
subluxations. Physical causes could include slips and falls, accidents,
repetitive motions and improper lifting. Emotions such as fear can cause
subluxations. Chemical causes could include alcohol, drugs, pollution
and poor diet.
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How Do I Know If I Have A
Subluxation?
You can have subluxations and not know
it. Like the early stages of tooth decay or cancer, subluxations can be
present before warning signs appear. The results of a thorough
examination can show the location and severity of subluxations you may
have.
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Can Subluxations Clear Up On
Their Own?
Sometimes. Today’s hectic lifestyles
are a constant source of subluxations. Fortunately, our bodies have the
ability to self-correct many of these problems as we bend and stretch,
or when we sleep at night. When subluxations don’t resolve, you need to
see a chiropractic doctor!
What’s An Adjustment?
Chiropractic adjustments usually
involve a quick thrust that helps add motion to spinal joints that
aren’t moving right. Some methods use the doctor’s hands, an instrument,
a special table or the force of gravity. There are many ways to adjust
the spine.
Are Chiropractic Adjustments
Safe?
Chiropractic is recognized as one of the safest, drug free, non invasive
treatments available for headache, neck, and back pain. During the last
25 years there have been five formal government inquiries into
chiropractic, all of which have found the profession to be both safe and
effective. Based on the results of more than 85 studies into the safety
and efficacy of chiropractic treatment, no other profession, including
medicine, can demonstrate greater effectiveness or a better safety
record for the treatment of spinal pain syndromes.
A New Zealand government study found that adjustments are "remarkably
safe." By avoiding drugs and risky surgery, chiropractic care enjoys an
excellent track record. A thorough exam can sometimes identify the rare
person for whom chiropractic care might be unsuited. Compare the
statistics. Adjustments are about 100 times safer that taking an
over-the-counter pain reliever.
In the past, it was thought that there might be a link between
chiropractic adjustments and strokes. THIS IS NOT TRUE! A Canadian
Study, done in 2007, has shown that there is no relationship at all.
Can The Bones Move Too Much?
Highly unlikely. A chiropractic
adjustment is special. It has the right amount of energy, delivered to
an exact spot, at a precise angle, at just the right time. The intent is
to get a “stuck” spinal joint moving again, helping reduce nerve
interference. Years of training, practice and experience make
chiropractic adjustments specific and safe.
Will Adjustments Make My Spine
Too Loose?
No. Only the spinal joints that are
“locked up” receive adjustments. This allows weakened muscles and
ligaments to stabilize and heal.
What Makes The Sound During
The Adjustment?
Lubricating fluids separate the bones
of each spinal joint. Some adjusting methods can produce a sound when
the gas and fluids in the joint shift. It’s much like opening a bottle
of champagne or removing a suction cup. The sound is interesting, but it
isn’t a guide to the quality or value of the adjustment.
Are All Patients Adjusted The
Same Way?
No. Each patient’s spine and care plan
is unique. With 24 moving bones in the spine, each of which can move in
seven different directions, we see a wide variety of spinal patterns.
Each patient’s care is custom-tailored for their age, condition and
health goals.
How Many Adjustments Will I
Need ?
The number of adjustments varies with
each patient and their individual health goals. Many patients sense
progress within a week or two of frequent visits. Visits become less
often as your spine stabilizes. In chronic cases, complete healing can
take months or even years.
Can I Adjust Myself?
No. Some people can make their joints
“pop,” but that’s not an adjustment! Worse, damage can occur by
mobilizing a joint with weakened muscles and ligaments. Adjustments are
specific and take years to master. Even your chiropractic doctor must
consult a colleague to benefit from chiropractic care.
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Why Do Newborns
Get Adjustments?
Even today’s “natural” childbirth
methods can affect an infant’s spine. Preliminary studies suggested that
colic, unusual crying, poor appetite, ear infections, or erratic
sleeping habits can be signs of spinal distress. Pediatric adjustments
are gentle. Knowing exactly where to adjust, the doctor applies no more
pressure than you’d use to test the ripeness of a tomato.
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Can I Have Chiropractic Care
After Back Surgery?
Yes. Rest assured that your
chiropractic doctor will avoid the surgically modified areas of your
spine. Surgery often causes instability above or below the involved
level. These areas will be the focus of your chiropractic care.
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Can Patients With Osteoporosis
Get Chiropractic Care?
Of course. When developing a care
plan, your chiropractic doctor considers the unique circumstances of
each patient. There are many ways to adjust the spine. The method
selected will be best suited to your age, size and condition.
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How Long Until I’ll Feel
Better?
Some patients experience almost
instant relief. Others discover it can take many weeks or months. Many
factors can affect the healing process. How long have you had your
problem? Are you keeping your appointments? Are you getting the proper
rest, exercise and nutrition? Do you smoke? Are you in otherwise good
condition? Within a short period of time, most patients sense enough
progress to fully carry out their doctor’s recommendations.
How Long Will I Need
Chiropractic Care?
After patients get the relief they
want, many choose to continue with some type of periodic care. These
patients show up for their visits feeling great. These visits can help
support the final stages of healing and help detect and resolve new
problems before they become serious. Our job is to offer the very best
care and your job is to decide how much of it you want.
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Will I Receive Any Medication
For My Pain?
No. Chiropractic doctors don’t
dispense drugs. Because we rely on natural methods, we can show you how
to use ice to control painful symptoms. When properly applied, ice can
have an analgesic effect without the side effects of pain medications. |
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Why Don’t Medical
Practitioners And Chiropractic Doctors Get Along?
They do! Years of prejudice
and bias are giving way to research showing the benefits of chiropractic
care. Attitudes are slow to change. However, as the public demands
alternatives to drugs and surgery, more and more medical practitioners
are referring their patients to our office and even becoming patients
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What If My Policy Doesn’t
Cover Chiropractic?
Your health affects everything you do
and everyone you know. It is your most valuable possession. Yet, each of
us is free to place a different value on our health. It’s convenient
when an insurance company or third party helps pay the bill. But be
careful! Don’t allow the profit motive of a huge corporation to make the
decision for you. Find out how we make chiropractic care affordable for
just about anyone.
Will I Ever Be Normal Again?
Patient results vary. Many report
improved spinal curves and the total resumption of their normal
lifestyle. Those who neglected or delayed seeking care often see slower
progress. After improvement, many patients discover that periodic
chiropractic checkups can help avoid a relapse.
What If Chiropractic Doesn’t Work?
If we’re unable to find and correct
the cause of your particular health problem, we will refer you to other
specialists who may be able to help. Your health is our primary goal.
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Does OHIP cover Chiropractic
care?
The
Ontario Government withdrew chiropractic coverage in December 2004.
OHIP does NOT cover ANY chiropractic services.
Does my insurance cover
Chiropractic care?
Group
Insurance
If you have Group Insurance through your employer, each policy is
different. Please check your policy to determine your coverage. If in
doubt, please bring your insurance brochure with you when you come to my
office and we will help you determine your coverage.
Motor Vehicle Collision Insurance
If you are involved in a car accident, you are fully covered for
chiropractic treatment, there is no need for a medical referral. Contact
our office if you have any questions.
Veterans Affairs
If you have served in the Armed Forces, you may have coverage through
Veterans Affairs. Contact Dr. McCarthy or Pat McCarthy to determine the
type of coverage you might have.
First Nations Peoples
Limited chiropractic coverage might be available for all First Nations
Peoples. Contact Dr. McCarthy or Pat McCarthy for more information and
rules necessary to obtain this coverage.
Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB)
We accept all Workers' Compensation accidents. As with all injuries,
please call our office immediately when you have a work related injury.
Early treatment is essential.
We will gladly assist you when completing all
insurance forms or on any questions you may have regarding your
insurance coverage. If you do not have health insurance we can also
provide a reasonable payment program.
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