What truly differentiates doctors of chiropractic from any other healthcare professionals is the fact that chiropractors are the only professionals who are trained to diagnose and treat what are called spinal subluxations.  The word “subluxation” comes from the Latin words meaning “somewhat or slight" (sub) and “to dislocate” (luxare).  So the term ‘vertebral subluxation’ literally means a slight dislocation or misalignment of the bones in the spine. 
When a subluxation occurs, a chiropractor can correct the misaligned bone and allow it to return to its proper position. This procedure is appropriately called an adjustment, and the adjustment enables the body to heal. The chiropractic adjustment is a quick thrust applied to a vertebra for the purpose of correcting its position, movement or both.  Adjustments are often accompanied by an audible release of gas that sounds like a “crack.”  The sound sometimes shocks people a little bit the first couple times they get adjusted, but the sensation is usually relieving.  Occasionally, minor  discomfort is experienced, especially if the surrounding muscles  are in spasm or the patient tenses up during the chiropractic  procedure.  There are times when the audible “cracking” does not occur.   This is often due to either significant  muscle tightness or that the patient may be having a hard time relaxing during their adjustments.  However, the chiropractic adjustment is still important.  The leak is fixed. The wiring is fixed. Information is flowing again. To keep the wiring fixed and the information flowing, several adjustments over a course of time may be necessary, in addition to massage, physical therapy, stretching exercises, or strengthening exercises. In the chiropractic world, keeping the problem fixed and preventing its reoccurrence is just as important as the initial remedy.

There are actually five components that contribute to the vertebral subluxation complex (VSC). Learn More.

1. Bone Component-where the vertebra is either out of position, not moving properly, or are undergoing degeneration.  This frequently leads to a narrowing of the spaces between the bones through which the nerves pass; often resulting in irritation or impingement of the nerve itself.
2. Nervous Component-is the disruption of the normal flow of energy along the nerve fibers, causing the messages traveling along the nerves to become distorted.  The result is that all of the tissues that are fed by those nerves receive distorted signals from the brain and, consequently, are not able to function normally.  Over time, this can lead to a whole host of conditions, such as peptic ulcers, constipation and other organ system dysfunction.
3. Muscular Component-since nerves control the muscles that help hold the vertebrae in place, muscles have to be considered to be an integral part of the vertebral subluxation complex.  In fact, muscles both affect, and are affected by the VSC.  A subluxation can irritate a nerve, the irritated nerve can cause a muscle to spasm, the spasmed muscle pulls the attached vertebrae further out of place, which then further irritates the nerve and you have a vicious cycle.  It is no wonder that very few subluxations just go away by themselves.
4. Soft Tissue Component-the VSC will also affect the surrounding tendons, ligaments, blood supply, and other tissues as the misaligned vertebrae tug and squeeze the connective tissue with tremendous force.  Over time, the soft tissues can become stretched out or scarred, leaving the spine with either a permanent instability or restriction.
5. Chemical Component-is the change in the chemistry of the body due to the VSC.  Most often, the chemical changes, such as the release of a class of chemicals called “kinins,” are pro-inflammatory; meaning that they increase inflammation in the affected area.

These changes get progressively worse over time if they are not treated correctly, leading to chronic pain, inflammation, arthritis, muscle trigger points, the formation of bone spurs, loss of movement,  as well as muscle weakness and spasm.  Chiropractors have known the dangers of the vertebral subluxation complex ever since the birth of the profession. More and more scientific research is demonstrating the tremendous detrimental impact that subluxation have on the tissue of the body.  In order to be truly healthy, it is vital that your nervous system be functioning free of interference from subluxations.  Chiropractors are the only health professionals trained in the detection, location, and correction of the vertebral subluxation complex through chiropractic care

Q. Is Chiropractic Care Safe?
A. Chiropractic is recognized as one of the safest, drug-free, non-invasive treatments available for headaches, neck, and back pain. No other health professions including medicine can demonstrate greater effective or a better safety record for the treatment of spinal pain syndromes.

Q. Does Chiropractic Treatment Require A Referral From An MD?
A. No, Chiropractors are legislated as primary contact health professionals and back care specialists in every province in Canada. This means that patients can consult a chiropractor directly.

Q. Are Chiropractors Doctors?
A. Yes, Chiropractors along with Medical doctors, dentists, psychologists, and optometrists have the legislated right and obligation to communicate a diagnosis and to use the title doctor.

Q. Do Foot Orthotics Help?
A. Over 70% of people who suffer from chronic low back pain, osteoarthritis, and many other joint problems have biochemical foot and ankle disorders (e.g. flat feet, plantar fasciites, heel spurs, bunions, metatarsalgia) that directly contribute to the severity and extent of their problems properly designed and prescribed custom-made foot orthotics or shoes can completely resolve and stabilize chronic and degenerative conditions. Chiropractors can also treat disorders relating to pain in jaws, shoulders, elbows, wrists, knees and feet.

About Chiropractic:

Chiropractic is one if the largest primary-contact healthcare profession in Canada with over 6,000 practicing chiropractors. Over 4.5 million Canadians see chiropractor’s each year. Chiropractic care is a drug free, non-invasive manual procedure while uses the unique and highly refined skills developed by the doctor of chiropractic. In Canada, chiropractors must complete a minimum of 3 years of university followed by a minimum of 4 years of intensive studies, at an accredited chiropractic college. Chiropractic students receive over 4,500hours of educations, once students have completed their education they must pass both provincial and national examinations to earn the right to practice as a doctor of chiropractic (D.C.).
Chiropractors along with medical doctors, dentists, psychologists and optometrists have the legislated right and obligation to communicate diagnosis and to use the title doctor.

Nerve, muscle and skeletal disorders in the spine and extremities typically result in pain, inflammation, muscle-spasm and motion restriction. The primary goal of chiropractic care is to apply manipulation, muscle release techniques and specific chiropractic adjustments designed to return the disabled system to a normal state this eliminating pain and restoring the system to optimal function.

Studies have clearly demonstrated that chiropractic care is highly effective in the treatment of low back pain, headaches, neck/shoulder pain and extremity disorders (legs, feet, and arms).


Conditions Treated

Low Back Pain
Low back pain is the leading causes of disability in Adults aged 30 to 50. Symptoms can include leg pain with numbness, morning stiffness, pain to hips, and loss of ranged motion. These symptoms always have underlying causes and can include disc degeneration/herniation, joint inflammation, tight muscles and low nerve root construction (sciatica). Chiropractic addresses the cause of the problem and through appropriate adjustments and muscle treatments removes spinal lesions, restores blood supply, relieves nerve root pressure and releases tight muscles.

Tension And Migraine Headaches
Tension headaches (band-like pressure) and migraine headaches (severe-throbbing pain) are all too common and potentially debilitating. Whiplash or sports injuries, poor posture and work-related stress and strain (i.e. computers) are common causes. Most headaches are caused by chronic or acute injury to nerves, muscles, discs and/or joints in the neck.
Chiropractic care has been repeatedly proven to reduce the intensity and severity of headaches.

Motor Vehicle Accidents (MVA’s)
Whiplash injuries to the neck and shoulders, is a potentially serious problem and must be treated promptly. As much as 88% of whiplash victims may continue to suffer pain and disability for years after the accident. Symptoms include neck/shoulder pain and motion restrictions, headaches, visual disturbances, pins and needles and weakness in the arms and hands.
Immediate chiropractic examination and treatment is essential to reduce pain and increase mobility and flexibility. Chiropractic treatment and proper rehabilitation of soft tissues will minimize pain and reduce the long-term disability effects.

Work-Related Injuries (W.S.I.B.)
60-70% of all work-related injuries are caused to the nerves, and muscle and skeletal system. (Primarily low back and shoulders) Chiropractic care for work-related injuries has been proven to be the most effective in terms of treatment results; minimizations of lost workdays and costs.

What truly differentiates doctors of chiropractic from any other healthcare professionals is the fact that chiropractors are the only professionals who are trained to diagnose and treat what are called spinal subluxations.  The word “subluxation” comes from the Latin words meaning “somewhat or slight" (sub) and “to dislocate” (luxare).  So the term ‘vertebral subluxation’ literally means a slight dislocation or misalignment of the bones in the spine. 
When a subluxation occurs, a chiropractor can correct the misaligned bone and allow it to return to its proper position. This procedure is appropriately called an adjustment, and the adjustment enables the body to heal. The chiropractic adjustment is a quick thrust applied to a vertebra for the purpose of correcting its position, movement or both.  Adjustments are often accompanied by an audible release of gas that sounds like a “crack.”  The sound sometimes shocks people a little bit the first couple times they get adjusted, but the sensation is usually relieving.  Occasionally, minor  discomfort is experienced, especially if the surrounding muscles  are in spasm or the patient tenses up during the chiropractic  procedure.  There are times when the audible “cracking” does not occur.   This is often due to either significant  muscle tightness or that the patient may be having a hard time relaxing during their adjustments.  However, the chiropractic adjustment is still important.  The leak is fixed. The wiring is fixed. Information is flowing again. To keep the wiring fixed and the information flowing, several adjustments over a course of time may be necessary, in addition to massage, physical therapy, stretching exercises, or strengthening exercises. In the chiropractic world, keeping the problem fixed and preventing its reoccurrence is just as important as the initial remedy.

There are actually five components that contribute to the vertebral subluxation complex (VSC). Learn More.

1. Bone Component-where the vertebra is either out of position, not moving properly, or are undergoing degeneration.  This frequently leads to a narrowing of the spaces between the bones through which the nerves pass; often resulting in irritation or impingement of the nerve itself.
2. Nervous Component-is the disruption of the normal flow of energy along the nerve fibers, causing the messages traveling along the nerves to become distorted.  The result is that all of the tissues that are fed by those nerves receive distorted signals from the brain and, consequently, are not able to function normally.  Over time, this can lead to a whole host of conditions, such as peptic ulcers, constipation and other organ system dysfunction.
3. Muscular Component-since nerves control the muscles that help hold the vertebrae in place, muscles have to be considered to be an integral part of the vertebral subluxation complex.  In fact, muscles both affect, and are affected by the VSC.  A subluxation can irritate a nerve, the irritated nerve can cause a muscle to spasm, the spasmed muscle pulls the attached vertebrae further out of place, which then further irritates the nerve and you have a vicious cycle.  It is no wonder that very few subluxations just go away by themselves.
4. Soft Tissue Component-the VSC will also affect the surrounding tendons, ligaments, blood supply, and other tissues as the misaligned vertebrae tug and squeeze the connective tissue with tremendous force.  Over time, the soft tissues can become stretched out or scarred, leaving the spine with either a permanent instability or restriction.
5. Chemical Component-is the change in the chemistry of the body due to the VSC.  Most often, the chemical changes, such as the release of a class of chemicals called “kinins,” are pro-inflammatory; meaning that they increase inflammation in the affected area.

These changes get progressively worse over time if they are not treated correctly, leading to chronic pain, inflammation, arthritis, muscle trigger points, the formation of bone spurs, loss of movement,  as well as muscle weakness and spasm.  Chiropractors have known the dangers of the vertebral subluxation complex ever since the birth of the profession. More and more scientific research is demonstrating the tremendous detrimental impact that subluxation have on the tissue of the body.  In order to be truly healthy, it is vital that your nervous system be functioning free of interference from subluxations.  Chiropractors are the only health professionals trained in the detection, location, and correction of the vertebral subluxation complex through chiropractic care

Q. Is Chiropractic Care Safe?
A. Chiropractic is recognized as one of the safest, drug-free, non-invasive treatments available for headaches, neck, and back pain. No other health professions including medicine can demonstrate greater effective or a better safety record for the treatment of spinal pain syndromes.

Q. Does Chiropractic Treatment Require A Referral From An MD?
A. No, Chiropractors are legislated as primary contact health professionals and back care specialists in every province in Canada. This means that patients can consult a chiropractor directly.

Q. Are Chiropractors Doctors?
A. Yes, Chiropractors along with Medical doctors, dentists, psychologists, and optometrists have the legislated right and obligation to communicate a diagnosis and to use the title doctor.

Q. Do Foot Orthotics Help?
A. Over 70% of people who suffer from chronic low back pain, osteoarthritis, and many other joint problems have biochemical foot and ankle disorders (e.g. flat feet, plantar fasciites, heel spurs, bunions, metatarsalgia) that directly contribute to the severity and extent of their problems properly designed and prescribed custom-made foot orthotics or shoes can completely resolve and stabilize chronic and degenerative conditions. Chiropractors can also treat disorders relating to pain in jaws, shoulders, elbows, wrists, knees and feet.

About Chiropractic:

Chiropractic is one if the largest primary-contact healthcare profession in Canada with over 6,000 practicing chiropractors. Over 4.5 million Canadians see chiropractor’s each year. Chiropractic care is a drug free, non-invasive manual procedure while uses the unique and highly refined skills developed by the doctor of chiropractic. In Canada, chiropractors must complete a minimum of 3 years of university followed by a minimum of 4 years of intensive studies, at an accredited chiropractic college. Chiropractic students receive over 4,500hours of educations, once students have completed their education they must pass both provincial and national examinations to earn the right to practice as a doctor of chiropractic (D.C.).
Chiropractors along with medical doctors, dentists, psychologists and optometrists have the legislated right and obligation to communicate diagnosis and to use the title doctor.

Nerve, muscle and skeletal disorders in the spine and extremities typically result in pain, inflammation, muscle-spasm and motion restriction. The primary goal of chiropractic care is to apply manipulation, muscle release techniques and specific chiropractic adjustments designed to return the disabled system to a normal state this eliminating pain and restoring the system to optimal function.

Studies have clearly demonstrated that chiropractic care is highly effective in the treatment of low back pain, headaches, neck/shoulder pain and extremity disorders (legs, feet, and arms).


Conditions Treated

Low Back Pain
Low back pain is the leading causes of disability in Adults aged 30 to 50. Symptoms can include leg pain with numbness, morning stiffness, pain to hips, and loss of ranged motion. These symptoms always have underlying causes and can include disc degeneration/herniation, joint inflammation, tight muscles and low nerve root construction (sciatica). Chiropractic addresses the cause of the problem and through appropriate adjustments and muscle treatments removes spinal lesions, restores blood supply, relieves nerve root pressure and releases tight muscles.

Tension And Migraine Headaches
Tension headaches (band-like pressure) and migraine headaches (severe-throbbing pain) are all too common and potentially debilitating. Whiplash or sports injuries, poor posture and work-related stress and strain (i.e. computers) are common causes. Most headaches are caused by chronic or acute injury to nerves, muscles, discs and/or joints in the neck.
Chiropractic care has been repeatedly proven to reduce the intensity and severity of headaches.

Motor Vehicle Accidents (MVA’s)
Whiplash injuries to the neck and shoulders, is a potentially serious problem and must be treated promptly. As much as 88% of whiplash victims may continue to suffer pain and disability for years after the accident. Symptoms include neck/shoulder pain and motion restrictions, headaches, visual disturbances, pins and needles and weakness in the arms and hands.
Immediate chiropractic examination and treatment is essential to reduce pain and increase mobility and flexibility. Chiropractic treatment and proper rehabilitation of soft tissues will minimize pain and reduce the long-term disability effects.