Question 1

How long does a chiropractic treatment take?

Accepted Answer

At your first visit, your chiropractor will require more time to review your history, establish a diagnosis, and communicate clearly a plan for treatment. This initial visit, which often includes your first treatment, typically takes approximately one hour.

At subsequent visits, treatments typically take approximately 30 minutes. This allows enough time to combine several treatment approaches to maximize the therapeutic benefit you receive.

Question 2

Do I need a doctor's note or referral to see a chiropractor?

Accepted Answer

No, Chiropractic is a primary contact health profession, which means your assessment and diagnosis is completed independently at our office — you can walk-in without a referral. We are happy to communicate with other members of your health team (medical doctors, surgeons, physiotherapists, etc) in the interest of providing you with the best health care possible, but there are no referrals necessary to see us.

Our massage therapists are also happy to accept walk-in patients — no referral necessary.

Question 3

How soon can I expect to feel relief from chiropractic care?

Accepted Answer

That depends — every patient is different, and every case unique. However, most of our patients report feeling an improvement after a single visit, and it is common to enjoy a marked improvement after just a few treatments.

Question 4

Does an acupuncture treatment hurt?

Accepted Answer

At Endorphins, we use sterile disposable needles. They are used once and then thrown away. The needles are very thin, in fact you could insert four of them inside the shaft of a needle that you would receive an injection with. Most often the patient will not feel the insertion of the needle. Having said that, the needle is not necessarily painless, but it is very tolerable. Most patients liken it to having one hair pulled on.

Question 5

What makes the approach at Endorphins different than at other clinics?

Accepted Answer

At Endorphins we utilize a comprehensive approach to patient care. We combine many approaches with each office visit, rather than a patient having to go to one office for a chiropractic treatment, another for physiotherapy, somewhere else for massage, and then elsewhere for acupuncture. By putting these services all together we find that patients respond quicker to treatment, recovering from the injury sooner and with fewer office visits.

Question 6

What is chiropractic? How does it work?

Accepted Answer

It is a non-invasive, hands-on health care discipline that focuses on the neuromusculoskeletal system (specifically treating the nerves, muscles, joints and associated tissues of the body). Chiropractors provide a diagnosis, treatment and preventative care for these neuromusculoskeletal problems. So, while Chiropractors are well-known for treating lower back and neck injuries, we also see a lot of shoulder, elbow, wrist, hand, hip, knee, ankle and foot injuries. Chiropractors use a combination of treatments, all of which are predicated on the specific needs of the individual patient. At Endorphins we utilize ultrasound, electrotherapy, laser therapy, custom foot orthotics, soft tissue techniques, and hands-on joint manipulation.

Question 7

How do I know if I have a slipped disc?

Accepted Answer

The phrase "slipped disc" is misleading. Our discs, pads containing jelly-like material, are situated between the bones of our spine and responsible for normal bending and turning. They aren't capable of actually going anywhere. This "slipping" many people speak of is in fact a herniation, where a disc protrudes or bulges due to an abnormal amount of pressure on an area of the spine. While this herniation is usually accompanied by a great deal of pain, it is possible to occur with little to no symptoms; hence the reason for an appropriate clinical examination with the doctor.

Question 8

How do I know if I have a pinched nerve?

Accepted Answer

Many patients consult a chiropractor believing they may have a pinched nerve, which can result from compression of the nerve. Some common symptoms include a "pins and needles" or burning sensation, often radiating outward from an injured area into the arms or legs. It is also common to feel areas of the body as numb or "falling asleep." Pinched nerves can lead to other more serious conditions, so it is best to address the situation quickly by seeking a consultation with a health professional.

Question 9

How do I get started with Chiropractic care?

Accepted Answer

A skilled chiropractic doctor knows that each patient is an individual and requires a unique approach specialized to his or her personal case. As such, they will start each course of treatment with a thorough case history of your health. During this time, it is important you give your doctor as much information as you can regarding your current complaint, previous injuries, accidents, medical conditions, and surgeries so they can best determine your diagnosis and plan of care. After studying your history, the doctor will perform an orthopedic, neurological and chiropractic examination. These quick, non-invasive tests will help to confirm your diagnosis, ensuring the most appropriate course of action to resolve your complaint is taken. X-rays and other advanced imaging are not part of the standard assessment at Endorphins — these tools are only used when gathering more information is necessary before beginning treatment.

Question 10

What kind of schooling do Chiropractic doctors receive?

Accepted Answer

Doctors of Chiropractic undergo rigorous training, schooling and testing, and are extremely well educated with at least 7 years of post-secondary education. Prior to beginning chiropractic college, candidates are required to complete at least three years of undergraduate university study at an accredited university; most applicants complete a Bachelors degree and/or Masters degree before beginning chiropractic college.

At chiropractic college, students are provided with an additional four-year professional post-graduate education covering the entire scope of human health and wellness, injury prevention, and treatment. In particular, the curriculum emphasizes courses like:

• Anatomy
• Physiology
• Pathology
• Neurology
• Biomechanics
• Biochemistry
• Clinical Diagnosis
• Rehabilitation
• Manual joint adjusting
• X-ray reading and interpretation

The Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College is located in Toronto, ON.

Question 11

Is it possible to adjust myself without the care of a chiropractor?

Accepted Answer

Many people twist and bend their bodies in an effort to "crack their backs" and enjoy what feels like temporary relief. While the sound that accompanies this may be similar to sounds from an actual chiropractic adjustment, the effect could not be more different. Chiropractors are trained to apply pressure to a very specifically targeted area of your spine in order to bring you into healthier, more stable alignment. When you attempt to do this yourself, not only is it impossible to apply that same targeted pressure, but your efforts may actually be de-stabilizing the spine rather than strengthening it. Working with a skilled chiropractor is the best thing you can do for your spinal health. Even doctors themselves visit their fellow chiropractors to receive adjustments.

Question 12

How safe is chiropractic care?

Accepted Answer

It is extremely safe. Chiropractic care works with the body and encourages its natural ability to heal. It is an approach to healing that requires no invasive procedures or habit-forming drugs. Chiropractic has an excellent safety record and has proven time and again how remarkably effective it is.

Question 13

Are there ways to enhance my recovery?

Accepted Answer

While patience is key in any healing process, there are many things you can do to encourage your recovery.

• Be sure you are receiving enough rest (and avoid sleeping on your stomach).
• Practice sitting, standing and lifting methods that support your spine health.
• Make proper nutrition a priority.
• If you are carrying excess weight, do your best to slim down.
• Dedicate yourself to the specific exercises your chiropractor recommends.
• Keep your appointments.

Question 14

Can children benefit from seeing a chiropractor?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Children undergo an enormous amount of growth in their earliest years, and ensuring they are not being limited by painful hinderances is very important! In fact, the birthing process alone can be a traumatic experience for children, so more and more parents are now choosing to bring in their newborns for chiropractic check-ups and on-going care. As children learn to crawl and walk, and eventually take part in games and sports, they are of course susceptible to falls, and these often create dysfunction of the joints, muscles, and/or nerves. Chiropractic doctors are trained to spot these subtle injuries and treat them before they become a problem.

Question 15

Am I too old to work with a chiropractor?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely not! People can benefit from chiropractic care at any age. As the public's concern over the safety of prescription drugs and their side effects increases, so does the popularity of natural chiropractic care. Patients who are feeling the affects of aging are having great success in relieving the symptoms of arthritis and other chronic ailments through chiropractic treatment. Increased spinal mobility leads to improved function and plays a big role in boosting appetite, endurance and overall vitality. Helping others maintain a strong quality of life is one of our primary goals for everyone!

Question 16

How long will I require chiropractic care?

Accepted Answer

Most patients see excellent results in just a few treatments, every condition is unique. Frozen shoulders, for example, take much longer to heal than a simple pulled muscle. It is our goal to get you better as soon as possible, and we hope to build a strong, positive relationship with you so that the next time you're having problems, Endorphins is the first place you call. But every patient is unique, and some people prefer to schedule periodic preventative visits to maintain optimal physical function. Similarly, patients often come to us with complaints they have neglected for some time. In these cases, where muscle weakness and tissue imbalance, and degenerative changes have started to established themselves, on-going supportive care can be an effective means to reclaim health and well-being.

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Chiropractic Care FAQ

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