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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

FAQ's

Chiropractic is a hands-on, non-invasive, health care discipline that focuses on the nervous system and musculoskeletal system. This includes disorders related to the spine, muscles, nerves, and joints. Doctors of Chiropractic (DC's) are primary care clinicians that are outstanding at assessing, diagnosing, treating, and giving advice for preventative care. Chiropractic care is appropriate for all ages.

 

Chiropractors use a combination of treatment techniques, all of which are tailored to the specific needs of each patient. An initial visit will begin with the chiropractor taking a detailed history concerning the main complaint and a physical examination using orthopaedic tests and palpation to identify the source of the complaint. The chiropractor will then communicate a diagnosis to the patient, and then both the chiropractor and patient can together develop a comprehensive treatment plan. In addition, the chiropractor can recommend therapeutic exercises, and provide nutritional, dietary and lifestyle counseling.

 

Here, at Chilkoot Chiropractic and Rehabilitation Center, we use an evidence-based approach that positions us as integral and respected members of the health care system. Our goal is to provide treatment that helps people get back to full function, being active and doing the things they love!

WHAT IS CHIROPRACTIC?
What is Chiropractic?
What conditions do we treat?
WHAT CONDITIONS DO WE TREAT?

Chiropractic can help individuals with:

 

  • Neck pain

  • Headaches (including Migraines)

  • Whiplash

  • Back pain (including pregnancy related back pain)

  • ‘Sciatica’ pain

  • Work and sports injuries

  • Arthritis

  • Jaw pain (TMJ dysfunction)

  • Shoulder or Rotator cuff injuries

  • Hip, knee, and ankle injuries

  • Postural related injuries

  • Rehabilitation for before and after surgery

  • Chronic pain

  • General health and well-being

...Plus many more

 

If you are unsure, please contact us!

WHAT THERAPIES DO WE USE?
WHAT THERAPIES DO WE OFFER?

Chiropractors use many different approaches either on their own or in combination to have the best effect on the patient. These include:

 

Chiropractic Adjustment and Mobilization: An adjustment is a highly skilled movement that is applied by hand to the spine or other joints of the body. The goal of an adjustment is to reduce pain, restore movement, and reduce muscle tightness to ultimately improve function. With an adjustment, there may or may not be an audible 'pop' coming from the joint. This is completely normal and is caused by the quick change in pressure within the joint.

A mobilization is a graded gentle, pulsing repetitive motion, similar to an adjustment.

 

Contemporary Medical Acupunture: This form of acupuncture is a nerve stimulation technique utilizing fine sterile needles with or without electrical input to restore normal muscle activation, stimulate local tissue healing and blood perfusion, and reduce pain.

 

Myofascial Release Therapy: This is a soft-tissue treatment technique targeting muscles and connective tissue (fascia, tendons, ligaments). The practitioner uses his/her hands to apply tension to the involved tissue while the patient is guided through specific movements. Myofascial release is utilized to address abnormal tension in muscles and fascia that may be contributing to pain, restricted movement, diminished local tissue healing and blood flow, and entrapment of nerves.

 

Functional Range Release: This technique focuses on the assessment, localization, and systematic treatment of soft-tissue lesions (adhesions) and areas of fibrosis (scar tissue) which develop as a result of injury, repetitive strain, and cumulative trauma. This technique expands on the basic tenets of myofascial-release treatments by simultaneously assessing, expanding, and strengthening the patient’s functional range of motion.

 

Athletic and Functional Taping: These taping procedures are used as an adjunct to therapy to reduce pain perception, enhance the awareness of the body's position in space (proprioception), act as a postural reminder, as well as reduce swelling and bruising.

 

Mulligan Mobilizations: This simple yet effective manual approach addresses musculoskeletal disorders with pain free manual joint “repositioning” techniques for restoration of function and reduction of pain. It involves a mulligan belt and applying a gentle joint gliding technique to help restore normal joint movement and decrease joint pain.

 

Graston Technique®: This is an evidence-based form of instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization that enables clinicians to effectively break down scar tissue and fascial restrictions. The technique utilizes specially designed stainless steel instruments to effectively treat areas exhibiting soft tissue fibrosis (scar tissue), chronic inflammation and promote healthy blood flow to the area.

 

Rehabilitation Exercises: These exercises are utililzed to return tissues to their pre-injury state, reduce the likelihood of future injury, and address faulty movement patterns. Programs are specifically tailored to each patient and may include strengthening, endurance exercises, mobility training, movement re-education, balance/proprioceptive training, and/or sport-specific exercises.

 

Orthotics and Supports: When approriate, we may prescribe orthotics or recommend over-the-counter supports to help treat abnormal foot mechanics. Foot dysfunction may not only cause foot pain but may also result in lower leg, knee, hip, and low back pain.

What will happen on my first visit?
WHAT WILL HAPPEN ON MY FIRST VISIT?

Please arrive 15 minutes early for your first visit as you will need to fill out forms.

 

The doctor will start with a comprehensive medical history which includes questions about your complaint, followed by a physical exam using orthopaedic tests and manual palpation to determine the source of your complaint. At this point the doctor will be able to discuss your medical diagnosis and appropriate plan of management.  

 

Depending on your diagnosis, additional tests may need to be undertaken (i.e. blood tests, x-ray, MRI) before treatment begins. In such cases, we will guide you to the appropriate health care professional.

 

If you would like to fill out the initial visit intake forms and bring them with you to your first visit, you can download them here.

 

 

Other Questions
OTHER QUESTIONS?

If I see a chiropractor, do I have to keep coming back?

No! Here at Chilkoot Chiropractic and Rehabilitation Center we believe in helping you heal quickly so you can get out and enjoy life. Some patients do feel good coming in occasionally for maintenance care based on what their body needs, but ultimately the decision is yours.

 

Is chiropractic treatment safe?

Chiropractic is widely recognized as one of the safest drug-free, non-invasive therapies available for the treatment of neuromusculoskeletal complaints. Although chiropractic has an excellent safety record, no health treatment is completely free of potential adverse effects. The risks associated with chiropractic, however, are very small. Many patients feel immediate relief following chiropractic treatment, but some may experience mild soreness, stiffness or aching, just as they do after some forms of exercise. Current research shows that minor discomfort or soreness following spinal manipulation typically fades within 24 hours.

 

When discussing the risks of any health care procedure, it is important to look at that risk in comparison to other treatments available for the same condition. In this regard, the risks of serious complications from spinal manipulation for conditions such as neck pain and headache compare very favorably with other conservative care options. One example of this would be over-the-counter or prescription nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), a common ‘quick fix’ for those with musculoskeletal pain. The side effects of NSAIDS are significantly greater than those of chiropractic manipulation, and severe adverse events caused by NSAIDS can include gastrointestinal hemorrhaging and perforation.

 

Is chiropractic treatment appropriate for children?

Yes! Chiropractic is great for the tiny humans.  The great thing about treating kids is that they are quick to recover/bounce back as their nervous system has not yet been bombarded by various repeated stresses as we see later in life.

 

What type of education and training do chiropractors have?

It takes a minimum of 7 years to become a chiropractor.  Each chiropractor must undergo a minimum of 3 years of undergraduate studies at a certified university, followed by a rigorous 4 year doctorate program at a qualified chiropractic college. This includes a strong medical science program studying biochemistry, physiology, toxicology, pharmacology, microbiology, biomechanics and orthopaedics.

 

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