Is Chiropractic Care Safe?

Chiropractors have a minimum of 7 years in school, 4 in specific chiropractic training, and are trained to deal appropriately with many types of injuries and people. Importantly, chiropractors also receive extensive training to recognize cases which may not in fact be spinal related, and may need referral.

Chiropractic adjustments themselves are a very safe and natural way to restore your body back to health. Occasionally, some discomfort can be present after the first 1-2 adjustments as the body realigns itself. Some patients may not be candidates for chiropractic adjusting in certain areas, in particular the neck, depending on their specific signs and symptoms, health concerns, and medications. Chiropractors are trained to recognize these patients and offer a variety of different therapies which are gentler and more suitable to these patients.

You may have heard of the risk of stroke with respect to chiropractic adjustments of the neck. In fact, there does appear to be a very slight risk with some patients. Current research estimates this risk to be approximately 1 in 5,000,000. To put this in perspective, you are at 1 in 10,000 risk of getting hit by lightning! Despite this very slight risk, chiropractors are trained to recognize patients who may be at risk, and can modify their techniques appropriately. Similarly, some patients may feel more comfortable with different types of more gentle care.

Do I Require a Referral to see a Chiropractor?

No, chiropractic care does not require a referral from a medical doctor. The government of Canada, ICBC, WCB, and private insurance companies all recognize chiropractors as independent health care specialists with the ability to diagnose and treat numerous health conditions. In some cases, referral from a medical doctor may be required for custom orthotics.

What Should I Expect from my Visit to the Chiropractor?
At Family Chiropractic, you can expect a comprehensive first visit lasting between 45-60 minutes, in which Dr. Starr will review posture, range of motion, orthopedic and strength testing, and evaluate the correct functioning of your joints and muscles. Occasionally x-rays may be required. Each subsequent visit usually takes approximately 15 minutes, and includes soft tissue massage techniques, chiropractic adjustments or mobilizations, and exercise therapy.

Is Emergency Care Available?