Chiropractors are doctors so it will come as no surprise that the training and education is very rigorous and demanding. Chiropractors must have 6-7 years of post secondary education, including no less than 4500 hours of classroom and clinical instruction at an institution approved by the Council on Chiropractic Education.
Chiropractors must pass national and provincial licencing examinations at the end of their training.
Yes. All Canadian provinces have laws and regulatory boards which monitor chiropractic practices.
Not at all. In fact, chiropractic care has been around and practiced safely for over 100 years, and, in fact manipulation as practiced by chiropractors, has been documented as being preformed in ancient Greek and Egyptian times.
Over three million Canadians see a chiropractor every year, that's about 12% of the population. And the good news is that those 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.
Any health care procedure has the potential for things to go wrong. This can range from the very minor, such as a soft tissue irritation, to something more serious, such as 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.
Good question. Many people think nothing of taking pain relievers or drugs to reduce pain, often caused by inflammation. Let's look at reality. The risk of serious complications or even death 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 scinetific fact and not an exaggertion 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 botom line is simple-chiropractic care is safe and effective with less risk than many medications or medical interventions.
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.
Up to 3/4 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 indications 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 part of the spine.
There is only a risk with neck treatment and 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 lightning or suffer a stroke in normal daily living, such as from head movements, medication or vascular disease, than you are in association with chiropractic care.
Yes, like other doctors, chiropractors refer patients to other professionals when they feel it's appropriate. Chiropractors are extremely well trained ro 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.
The more information a chiropractor 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 question at your initial consultation in order to give the doctor a full picture of your health and how best to treat you. Your chiropractor is a doctor, who is highly trained and qualified to rule out any contra-indications and fully investigate risk factors before a diagnosis and treatment recommendation can be reached.
Yes, by all means let your chiropractic 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 is vital to maximize the potential benefit and safety of your care.
Naturopathic doctors require a minimum of 7 years of training. ND's take a minimum of three years of premedical studies at university, followed by four years of study at an accredited college of naturopathic medicine. The four year naturopathic medical education encompasses basic medical sciences, and conventional/western medical diagnosis and treatment. In addition, Naturopathic doctors complete extensive training in naturopathic principles and therapeutics, and 1500 hours of supervised clinical training. Naturopathic doctors are trained as primary care practitioners. They receive a doctorate of naturopathic medicine after graduating from one of five accredited naturopathic medical schools in North America (only one in Canada). Graduates must also pass rigorous standardized licensing examinations approved by the North American Board of Naturopathic Examiners (NABNE) prior to beginning practice. In Canada, Naturopathic doctors are regulated in British Columbia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Ontario. Legislation is pending in Alberta and Nova Scotia. In Alberta, contact the Alberta Association of Naturopathic Practitioners in order to locate a licensed ND in your area.
The first visit to a Naturopathic doctor usually takes 90 minutes and consists of a detailed medical history, and a discussion of your current health care concerns. The topics of diet and eating habits, lifestyle, emotions, stress, and physical activity will also be addressed during the initial visit. A thorough physical exam is conducted and laboratory tests may also be requested if necessary. After your visit, your ND will insure that you understand any treatment options and may start you on a treatment protocol. The second visit often lasts 45-60 minutes. At this point in time the naturopathic doctor will gather any additional health information and will then outline the initial suggested treatment plan with the patient Subsequent visits usually last 30 minutes.
Follow up visits with your naturopathic doctor are very important. It is essential that your ND monitor your progress and provide the necessary support and treatment as you begin your journey back to health. The frequency and number of follow-up visits depends on the severity of your current health condition.
Currently, the cost of visiting a naturopathic doctor is not covered by Alberta Health. However, most extended health care plans which provide coverage for chiropractic and therapeutic massage services also provide coverage for naturopathic health care. To find out what services are covered by your plan contact your health insurer.
The Alberta Association of Naturopathic Practitioners has a suggested rate of $125 per hour. Individual doctors may vary their rates according to initial visit fees and follow up fees. Call the doctor's office to speak to a receptionist about individual rates (403) 252-3316.
