Frequently asked questions

How does chiropractic work?

The human body possesses a natural ability to restore itself. This ability depends on a healthy nervous system. Life’s events such as automobile accidents, sports injuries, repetitive work, sitting posture, and home stress are just some of the factors that can overwhelm the body’s ability to adapt or compensate. The joints of the spine become restricted when these sorts of events occur resulting in a limited range of motion. Spinal joint restriction and/or misalignment results in irritation and/or pressure at the spinal nerve.

Chiropractic care can correct these spinal restrictions by restoring the body to its optimal form and function. Local symptoms of joint restriction may include pain, tenderness, swelling, tingling, numbness, or spasm around the joints of the spine, back, and neck. Many times these sensations extend further into the shoulders and arms, around the rib cage, or into the hips and down the legs. Joint restrictions can lead to headaches, stomach and digestive problems, and loss of overall health.

Impaired nerve coordination causes the whole body to suffer. Vital instructions flow between the brain and the body by way of spinal nerves. These instructions inform and direct the body as to when, where, and how it needs to heal itself. By irritating nerves, joint restrictions interfere with the essential brain/body exchange, thereby compromising the normal function of the body’s organs and tissues. Chiropractic care clears the path for the body to maintain its own health.

Who should see a chiropractor?

Nerve interference can affect anyone, which is why people of all ages experience relief and improved health through Chiropractic care. A qualified Doctor of Chiropractic will best determine the appropriateness of care for you or your family.


No method of health care has proven itself to be more effective than chiropractic in helping those who suffer from back and neck pain. Doctors of chiropractic are the most highly qualified professionals in evaluating and caring for these, as well as many other health problems.

Is chiropractic safe?

Chiropractic is extremely safe. It is a non-surgical, drug-free approach to healthcare which places Chiropractic among the safest of all health care practices.

How can a chiropractor help me?

Doctors of chiropractic study a six year Master’s degree and are specially trained in the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of spinal conditions, which is why an increasing number of back pain sufferers are turning to Chiropractic for fast, effective, and reliable relief. More and more hospitals and private practices are now working closely with Doctors of Chiropractic in order to ensure the best quality of care for patients who suffer from spine-related injuries and disorders.

The benefits of Chiropractic care have been shown to extend beyond the effective care and management of back and neck pain. In fact, chiropractic has proven itself to be useful in the treatment of headache’s, carpal tunnel syndrome, jaw pain, sciatica, hip and knee pain and tingling in the arms and legs. The rewards of Chiropractic care are numerous. People under chiropractic care report better health and well-being and many families have realized the benefits of chiropractic care for their children.

How are chiropractors educated?

Like all primary health care providers, Chiropractors undergo extensive education and training before becoming licensed professionals. Students begin by fulfilling a six year undergraduate Master’s degree, with a strong emphasis on the core sciences such as chemistry, anatomy, physiology, and physics as well as diagnostics, general and clinical pathology, clinical biomechanics and clinical chiropractic.

The professional program leading to the Masters degree in Chiropractic is very demanding. Their education continues into the advanced clinical sciences including orthopedics, neurology, examination procedures, differential diagnosis, and X-ray interpretation. During this entire process, aspiring chiropractors gain knowledge of the philosophy and practice of health care and chiropractic.

What can I expect on my first visit?

Your initial visit will begin with a consultation. Your doctor will take a case history and ask about your present condition.
Next, the doctor will perform an examination to evaluate the nature of your problem. This examination generally includes a series of basic physical tests, as well as a specialized chiropractic and peripheral neurological evaluation of spinal movement and posture.

If necessary, your doctor may recommend X-rays or diagnostic tests to obtain further information about the mechanics of your spine and the details of your condition.

After completing the analysis, your doctor will explain your problem and map out an appropriate plan of action with you. If necessary, you may be referred to another health care specialist for further evaluation or treatment. Doctors of chiropractic work with a variety of health care professionals in the best interest of their patients.

Your doctor will discuss your care plan with you, taking into consideration your health habits, stress, and activity levels.
Over the course of your care, your doctor will monitor your individual response and may also recommend changes to your lifestyle, work environment, dietary, and exercise patterns.

How does chiropractic correct my spinal health?

Following your initial consultation and examination, your Chiropractor will offer you a working diagnosis, explaining clearly what is wrong and what the most appropriate care and management plan would be for your condition. This program is centered around the chiropractic adjustment, a method of treatment unique to chiropractic, which corrects spinal segmantal dysfunction. The primary goal of an adjustment is to improve spinal alignment and motion, relieving nerve irritation, pressure, and pain, restoring normal joint mechanics and neurological function.

You may feel immediate improvement after an adjustment, although most people experience gradual, progressive relief of symptoms. Since adjustments restore motion to previously “locked” joints, ligaments and tendons begin to stretch back to their normal length. This lengthening may cause slight muscle soreness similar to that brought on by rigorous exercise.  If you experience these sensations, be assured that within days you’ll likely be enjoying the benefits of improved spinal motion with less pain that results from a healthier spine. For the best results, follow the plan that your doctor of chiropractic recommends for you.

How often will I need to see my Chiropractor?

The number of visits you make to your chiropractor depends on the nature of your condition and your personal goals. Many patients use chiropractic proactively, as part of a preventive health care routine, scheduling chiropractic appointments on a regular basis to keep their bodies functioning optimally. Others seek care and treatment for specific conditions with the focus on pain relief. Our athletes use us for mechanical and alignment tune-ups to ensure that they are firing on all cylinders for race day! It is important for you to discuss your objectives with your chiropractor in order to develop a treatment plan that works best for you.

Our main objective is to get your body back into a position where it can functionally look after itself again with the odd adjustment every now and again to keep it on the straightened arrow.
Keep in mind, healing rates vary from person to person. Children tend to respond more quickly to treatment, whereas adults and seniors may respond more slowly. A good guide is that the longer the body has been compensating, the more extensive the management plan may be to achieve the desired results.

Cost-effective health care! Will my medical aid cover it?

In a fast paced world of quick fixes and pain relieving pills, Chiropractic has demonstrated itself to be one of the most cost-effective forms of health care. International studies have shown that most of the ailments for which people seek Chiropractic care are successfully treated within 6 – 8 sessions. With medical aids clamping down on your benefits, being cost-effective in the management of your spinal health or sporting injury is vitally important.

All medical aids now cover Chiropractic