The Top 9 Things You Wanted to Know About Chiropractors (But Were Afraid to Ask)

Q I do not know much about chiropractors. What do they do?

A Chiropractors are health care professionals who specialize in musculoskeletal and nervous system conditions and the impact they have on your overall health. Emphasis is placed on alleviating pain in the back, neck, joints and headaches - and correcting conditions that cause this pain.

Q What is chiropractic adjustment?

A Chiropractic adjustment, also called spinal manipulation, is a procedure used by chiropractors to correct misalignments of the vertebrae of your spine. Untreated, these misalignments can interfere with neurological communication between your brain, tissues and organs.

Q What happens when you have a chiropractic adjustment?

A After identifying your condition via examination and testing, and determining that spinal adjustment is the best treatment for you, your chiropractor will position your body so that only the affected area is isolated. Next, he or she will manipulate the joint, freeing it from its stuck position. In restoring the natural movement of the joint, inflammation and pain are reduced and your tissues begin to heal.

Q What kind of training do chiropractors need?

A The rigorous educational requirements for chiropractors are similar to the requirements for other health care professionals.

Chiropractic students must complete a minimum of seven years of post-secondary education. This education involves either four years of full-time study at the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College (CMCC) in Toronto, including a one year internship in the College's clinics, or in Quebec, the University of Quebec at Trois-Rivieres (UQTR) has a five year program of study following graduation from a CEGEP health science program.

In both the CMCC and UQTR programs, students must complete courses in anatomy, biochemistry, physiology, neurology, embryology, principles of chiropractic, radiology, immunology, microbiology, pathology, nutrition and clinical sciences specifically relating to diagnosis.

Both the CMCC and UQTR programs are accredited by the Canadian Federation of Chiropractic Regulatory and Educational Accrediting Boards.

Chiropractic students must also gain hands-on clinical experience under the close supervision of highly-qualified chiropractic faculty.

Q How are chiropractors licensed?

A Each province has a regulatory body that grants a license to practice chiropractic. The minimum requirements for a license include graduation from an accredited chiropractic college, a minimum of 3 years of pre-professional university or college studies, passing scores on national examinations administered by the Canadian Chiropractic Examining Board, and passing scores on provincial licensing examinations.

The provincial chiropractic regulatory bodies have increasingly developed mandatory continuing education requirements in order to maintain licensing.

Q What are the advantages of chiropractic?

A Chiropractic is non-invasive, unlike procedures such as surgery. Drugs, particularly addictive painkillers, are not part of the practice. Normally, the cost of treatment is far lower and often people who have run out of other medical options find chiropractic provides relief.

Q Is chiropractic safe?

A No form of medical treatment is totally without risk. Because it is drug-free and non-invasive, however, chiropractic is exceptionally safe.

Q Is it true that there is a popping sound during an adjustment?

A Yes, this harmless popping sound occurs when gas bubbles in the fluid surrounding the joint are released during the procedure. Have you ever cracked your knuckles? This is the same thing.

Q Does this procedure hurt?

A Some people are squeamish about spinal manipulation if they are not familiar with the procedure. When conducted by a licensed chiropractor, however, spinal manipulation is effective in reducing muscle and joint pain. Only rarely does chiropractic adjustment cause mild discomfort that typically goes away in a day or two.