What is chiropractic, anyways? Long story short, chiropractic care is a patient-centred, non-invasive, hands-on, regulated health care profession focused on your spine, muscles, joints and nervous system.
But what does that even mean?
Patient Centered: Providing care that is respectful of, and responsive to, individual patient preferences, needs and values, and ensuring that patient values guide all clinical decisions.
Non- Invasive: conservative treatment that does not require incision into the body or removal of tissue.
Hands- On: Just as it implies, chiropractic care involves interactive and active care from the chiropractor
Regulated Health Care Professional: The most common definition of "regulated professionals" is that the profession has a governing or regulatory body that is sanctioned by law to govern or regulate the profession. Regulation is simply a way to make sure that healthcare professionals are safe to practice and remain sane to practice throughout their career.
What does a chiropractic treatment consist of?
Chiropractic care can consist of a variety of treatments, depending on the diagnosis. Ranging from "hands on" manual therapy, soft tissue work, modalities such as laser therapy or shockwave, orthotics, and prescribed exercise.
Chiropractors are able to diagnose and treat a wide varity of conditions, A few of the most common conditions that we treat are back pain, neck pain, strains, sprains, pain associated with arthritis, and work or sports injuries.
Almost 2.7 millions people in Ontario rely on chiropractic care every year to help them live healthy, active lives
Recent research has proven the effectiveness of chiropractic and spinal manipulative therapy.
1). Patients participating in chiropractic care were 64% less likely to receive an opioid prescription than nonusers.
2). Patients who saw a chiropractor had half the risk of filling an opioid prescription.
3). The cost per episode of care for low back pain was 20% less when care was initiated with a chiropractor rather than a medical physician.
4). When care was initiated with a chiropractor, patients saw fewer total health care providers throughout their episode of care.
5). The risk of injury within seven days in patients receiving manipulation from a chiropractor was lower compared with primary care
6). Patients who received chiropractic in addition to usual medical care reported a significant improvement in back pain intensity and disability at 6 weeks compared with those with usual medical care alone
7). Spinal manipulation generally is a safe modality to include in spinal treatment and was associated with rare minor harms. (i.e., soreness)
8). Spinal manipulation has become an attractive modality due to its role in mitigating cost, decreasing opioid prescriptions, and shortening episodes of care.
Knowing that chiropractic is both safe and effective, it is beneficial to add a chiropractor to your health care circle. Our chiropractors at Southampton Chiropractic Clinic are accepting new patients. Book your consultation today!
Source: Hinkeldey N, Okamoto C, Khan J. Spinal Manipulation and Select Manual Therapies: Current Perspectives. Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Clinics. 2020 Nov 1;31(4):593-608
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