Q: What kind of education and training do Chiropractors have?
A: Chiropractors are doctors and must have 7 years of post secondary education, including no less than 4500 hours of classroom and clinical instruction at an institution approved by the Council of Chiropractic Education (CCEC).

Q: What kind of education and training do Massage Therapists have?
A: The current curriculum guideline requirement is 3,000 hours. This course of study takes approximately three years to complete. Registered Massage Therapists are educated and trained to accurately assess and treat with techniques that include massage and manual therapy, joint mobilization, hydrotherapy, and rehabilitative exercise such as stretching, strengthening, postural exercise and patient education.

Q: What are the qualifications required to be licensed as a Chiropractor?
A: Chiropractors must pass national and provincial licensing examinations at the end of their training.

Q: What are the qualifications required to become licensed as a Registered Massage Therapist?
A: Massage Therapists must pass Provincial Registration Examinations at the end of their training.

Q: What are the qualifications required to be licensed as an Acupuncturist?
A: Acupuncture requires 2 years post secondary in sciences. The RAC program is 3 years of study as well as clinic hours. Qualified RAC therapists must pass Provincial Registration Examinations at the end of their training.

Q: Is Chiropractic recognized in all ten provinces?
A: Yes. All Canadian provinces have laws and regulatory boards which monitor chiropractic practice.

Q: Are Chiropractic and Massage Therapy new?
A: Not at all. In fact, chiropractic and massage care has been around and practiced safely for over 100 years. Both have been documented as being performed in ancient Greek and Egyptian times.

Q: Id feel better if I knew that many people visited a Chiropractor, do have any numbers?
A: Over three million Canadians see a Chiropractor every year, approximately 12% of the population. These numbers are on the rise with more and more Canadians finding out how good they feel when they include Chiropractic as part of their health care needs.

Q: Some of my friends have expressed concern about Chiropractic safety and effectiveness.
A: Any health care procedure has the potential for things to go wrong. This can range from the very minor, such as soft tissue irritation, to something more serious, such as a vascular accident. You should remember, however, that when compared to other therapies, chiropractic is safer and more effective. In fact, people usually undergo Chiropractic care before moving onto something that might carry a greater risk.

Q: Is it safer for me to take over-the-counter medication rather then visit a Chiropractor?
A: Many people think nothing of taking pain relievers or drugs to reduce pain, often caused by inflammation. Lets look at the reality. The risk of serious complications or even deaths attributed to the use of NSAIDS (drugs for reducing inflammation like aspirin and ibuprofen) is greater than the slight risk of injury with chiropractic treatment for neck pain. This is a scientific fact and not an exaggeration relative to the comparative danger of using simple medications. Not many of us think of these risks when we reach for a bottle of pills. The bottom line is simple - Chiropractic care is safe and effective with less risk than many medications or medical interventions.

Q: My back and neck hurt terribly; will a chiropractic adjustment be too painful?
A: You may feel light pressure on your spinal joints and/or hear a popping sound, the result of joints opening quickly. Adjustments rarely hurt; instead, you may have immediate pain relief and feel more relaxed.

Q: My back and neck hurt terribly; will a Massage Therapy treatment be too painful?
A: The Massage Therapy treatment should be at a pressure that is tolerable to you. If the treatment causes you too much pain simply tell the Massage Therapist and they will respond by lessening the pressure.

Q: Something about getting my neck treated makes me nervous. Is it possible my instincts are right?
A: Up to ¾ of patients receive a neck adjustment as part of their individual treatment. Your Chiropractor would not include neck adjustments in your treatment if there were any indication that you would be at risk. Talk to your Chiropractor about your concerns. Your Chiropractor will only include neck adjustments in your treatment if there is an objective clinical reason for treating your neck as part of your overall spinal care. Obviously if you present with a neck problem, your Chiropractor is going to be treating that particular park of the spine.

Q: Is there a connection between strokes and Chiropractic treatments?
A: This risk is very rare. The research literature estimates the risk of having a stroke that may be related to Chiropractic treatments to be one in several millions of treatments (from anywhere from 1 in 400,000 to over 1 in several millions). In fact, scientific literature suggests that you are about 5 times more likely to be hit by lightening or suffer a stroke in normal daily living, such as from head movements, medication or vascular disease, than you are association with chiropractic care.

Q: Every Doctor I know refers patients to other specialists. Do Chiropractors, Massage Therapists and Acupuncturists do this?
A: Yes, Chiropractors, Massage Therapists and Acupuncurists refer patients to other professionals when they feel it is appropriate. Chiropractors, Massage Therapists and Acupuncurists are extremely well trained to recognize risk factors as well as individual disease patterns and will not hesitate to make a referral when it is in the best interest of your health.

Q: Why do Chiropractors, Massage Therapists and Acupuncturists ask for a detailed health history?
A: The more information a Chiropractor, Massage Therapist or Acupuncurist has about your history, your lifestyle, and any risk factors you have, the more effectively you can be treated. That means you’ll be asked many in-depth questions at your initial consultation in order to give a full picture of your health and how best to treat you. Your Chiropractor, Massage Therapist and Acupuncurist is highly trained and qualified to rule out any contra-indications and to fully investigate any risk factors before a treatment recommendation can be reached.

Q: Should I volunteer additional information or concerns to my Chiropractor or Massage Therapist?
A: Yes, by all means let your Chiropractor or Massage Therapist know everything you think is important. This could include any health histories in your family that are similar or any new symptoms you feel are related. An open line of communication between you and your Chiropractor or Massage Therapist is vital to maximize the potential benefit and safety of your care.

Q: What can I expect on my first visit with a Chiropractor?
A: An initial appointment is approximately 30 minutes. A medical history, interview, and examination are needed to assess your condition. Your diagnosis will then be reviewed and options of appropriate treatment will be discussed. Subsequent visits are approximately 15 minutes. Typically, a treatment consists of manipulation, exercises, education, and soft tissue therapy.

Q: What can I expect on my first visit with a Massage Therapist?
A: An initial appointment includes an additional 15 minutes. A medical history, interview and examination are needed to assess your condition. Once the treatment plan has been agreed upon you will be given instructions and privacy to get settled on the table. Typically, a treatment consists of Swedish massage techniques, exercises, and education.