Chiropractic is based upon the understanding that health depends, in part, upon a normally functioning neuro-musculoskeletal system (nerves, muscles and bones, chiefly in the spinal area. We address these diseases without the use of drugs or surgery.
Chiropractic care is used most often to treat complaints including, but not limited to, back pain, neck pain, joint pain in the hands, elbows, shoulders, hips, knees and ankles, sports injuries, pinched nerves and headaches.
Yes. Chiropractic care is both safe and effective. Scientific evidence proving that chiropractic care works is overwhelming. Based on these numerous scientific studies, the consensus is that chiropractic care is the treatment of choice for most spinal problems.
Chiropractic is widely recognized as one of the safest drug-free, non-invasive therapies available for the treatment of neuro-musculoskeletal complaints. The risk associated with chiropractic care is smaller than that of common pain medications. For example, a study in the American Journal of Gastroenterology, approximately one-third of all hospitalizations and deaths related to gastrointestinal bleeding can be attributed to the use of aspirin or NSAID painkillers like ibuprofen.
Our chiropractors are educated as primary contact health care practitioners, just like your family physician, optometrist or dentist but with a specific emphasis on musculoskeletal diagnosis and treatment. The typical chiropractor will have at least 7 years of post-secondary education, with the chiropractic curriculum comprising 4 years of intense classroom, laboratory and clinical education.
Our chiropractors typically use their hands to manipulate the joints of the body, particularly the spine, in order to reduce pain, and restore or enhance joint function. Chiropractic manipulation is a highly controlled procedure that rarely causes discomfort. Treatment often includes soft tissue therapy, modalities, rehabilitative stretches and exercises.
No, a patient does not need referral by an MD before visiting a doctor of chiropractic. Our chiropractors are primary contact physicians, and are so defined in provincial and federal regulations. Following a consultation and examination, the doctor of chiropractic will arrive at a diagnosis and treatment plan, or refer the patient to the appropriate health care provider.
The majority of all insured Canadian workers have some coverage for chiropractic services in their extended health care plans. Chiropractic is partially covered by MSP for those who are on Premium Assistance and by ICBC or WCB for those who have a valid claim.
Our chiropractors will conduct a thorough history of your current complaint, previous treatment, and relevant medical history. A full physical examination will be performed, including nerve and muscle testing and a comprehensive spinal examination. A treatment will usually be given, followed by home exercises. On the second visit, your chiropractor will take the time to discuss with you your diagnosis, your home exercise program and your treatment plan.
Our chiropractors have a policy of holding several appointments each day for emergency or last-minute patients. We will always attempt to accommodate your health needs. Booking in advance, however, assures that you will secure the time that is most convenient for you.
Yes, we accept ICBC/WCB claims, please bring your claim number to your appointment. No, you don’t need a referral to see a Chiropractor. We are primary care physicians.
A custom orthotic is a device designed to align the foot and ankle into the most anatomically efficient position. They look like insoles, but are biomechanical medical appliances that are custom made to correct your specific foot imbalance. Custom orthotics work on your feet much like glasses work on your eyes – they reduce stress and strain on your body by bringing your feet back into proper alignment. The plastic body of the custom orthotic helps to re-align the foot by redirecting and reducing certain motion that takes place during the gait cycle. Custom orthotics fit into your shoes as comfortably as an insole – and they have the advantage of having been made from precise imprints of your feet.
The symptoms of poor foot mechanics can include any one of the following:
- Localized foot pain
- Bunions, hammer toes
- Arch/heel pain
- Leg/knee pain
- Hip or back pain – even neck pain
Your health care practitioner can prescribe custom orthotics to help correct your specific foot and body imbalance. You can help your health care practitioner by discussing any nagging foot, leg, or back problems, and even by simply asking if your feet could be part of the problem.
The longer you wear your custom orthotics the more benefit you will get out of them. If your daily activities vary to the extent that you change your footwear, then you should have a second pair of custom orthotics designed for that specific activity. (I.e. going to the gym after work)
Since the custom orthotic works to realign the structure of your foot you may feel pressure in some areas as the custom orthotic attempts to do its job. For this reason custom orthotics should be worn in two hour intervals and slowly extend the wear time over a period of two weeks.
For the most part any shoe that has a removable insole will work with your custom orthotic. Just remove the insole that came with the shoe and replace it with the custom orthotic. TOG also offers a carefully-selected line of footwear that can accomodate custom orthotics, as well as custom sandals and clogs that have your prescribed device built right in.
Custom orthotics will not reduce muscles tone. They will help position your foot so you will be using the right muscles at the right time, minimizing fatigue and allowing your muscles to be used more efficiently.
Acute conditions may be treated daily, particularly if they are accompanied by significant pain. More chronic problems respond better when treatments are received 2 to 3 times a week, tapering to once a week or once every other week, with improvement.
This depends on the nature of the condition being treated. For some acute conditions 4 to 6 treatments may be sufficient. Those of a more chronic nature may require 6 to 12 (or more) treatments. Conditions such as severe arthritis may require ongoing periodic care to control pain.
You may feel improvement in your condition (usually pain reduction) after the very first treatment. Sometimes you will not feel improvement for a number of treatments. This does not mean that the condition is not improving. Each treatment is cumulative and results are often felt after 3 or 4 sessions.
Yes. Laser Therapy is often used with other forms of treatment, including physical therapy, chiropractic, massage, soft tissue mobilization, electrotherapy and even following surgery. Other healing modalities are complementary and can be used with laser to increase the effectiveness of the treatment.
There is little or no sensation during treatment. Occasionally one feels a mild, soothing warmth or tingling. Areas of pain or inflammation may be sensitive briefly before pain reduction.
During more than twenty years of use by healthcare providers all over the world, very few side effects have ever been reported. Occasionally some old injuries or pain syndromes may feel aggravated for a few days, as the healing response is more active after treatment.
The typical treatment is 4 to 8 minutes, depending on the size of the area being treated.
Yes. There are thousands of published studies demonstrating the clinical effectiveness of Laser Therapy. Among these, there are more than one hundred rigorously controlled, scientific studies that document the effectiveness of laser for many clinical conditions.