Chiropractic is one of the largest primary-contact health care professions in Canada with over 5,000 practicing chiropractors. Approximately four and a half million Canadians use the services of a chiropractor every year.
Chiropractic is a regulated health profession recognized by statue in all the Canadian provinces. The benefits of chiropractic care are well recognized by other health professionals.
What is Chiropractic?
Chiropractic involves drug-free, non-invasive manual procedures which utilize the highly-refined skills developed following their undergraduate degrees during four intensive years of chiropractic education. Chiropractors assess disorders related to the spine, extremity joints, muscles, tendons, nerves and all other myofascial structures of the body, and provide diagnosis, treatment and prevention of those disorders. The goal of chiropractic treatment is to decrease pain and disability and to restore function with the earliest possible return to work and normal activity. During the last 25 years there have been six formal government studies of chiropractic, all of which have found the profession to be safe and effective.
The role of chiropractic can vary depending on the case. It may be the primary method of treatment, or may complement or support medical treatment by relieving the musculoskeletal aspects of discomfort associated with the condition. Chiropractic care may also be palliative, providing symptomatic relief to patients with chronic conditions. By treating the musculoskeletal aspects of such disorders, chiropractic improves the general well-being of the patient. The number of treatment visits varies for each patient and condition, however the mean number of visits per year to chiropractors in Canada is 9.8.
Chiropractic Techniques
Diversified Palmer:
Diversified adjustive procedures; vector line-of-correction; the focus is on restoration to normal bio-mechanical function, and correction of subluxation. Diversified methods have been developed to adjust extremity joints, allowing for beneficial applications in treating sports injuries and other injuries detected through static and motion palpation findings
Manipulation is a highly controlled procedure which rarely causes discomfort. The chiropractor adapts the procedure to meet the specific needs of each patient. Patients often note positive changes in their symptoms immediately following treatment.
Thompson Technique
Thompson Technique was originated and developed by Dr. J. Clay Thompson. The Thompson Technique utilizes a "Segmental Drop Table" to enhance the motion force imparted towards the segment or area to be Adjusted. Dr. Thompson introduced the concept of adding motion by inventing a headpiece that would drop away as the adjustive thrust was applied to the vertebral segment. He was granted a patent in 1955 on his concept and thusly was born the Palmer-Thompson drop headpiece. Since the new idea was such a success Dr. Clay then went on to invent a table with drop pieces for adjusting the dorsal, lumbar and pelvic area. this came about in 1957 and from there the rest is history.
Today there are numerous manufacturers of drop-piece tables used around the world. The "Segmental Drop System" takes advantage of the spines inherent design of the joints in order to move the spinal segment in the direction that will improve the motion of the segment with the one above and below. It just makes good sense that since the spinal joints face front to back and have an incline that slopes more naturally backwards that we can effect increased motion by applying an adjustment from P to A, (Posterior to Anterior) and with an inferior to superior line of correction. The majority of the spinal adjusting utilizing the Thompson Technique has the patient lying prone. (face down.) This is the basis for Dr. Clay's theory of proper spinal adjusting and the driving force that lead him to invent the drop table.
Palmer Package
Palmer package is a system of chiropractic care taught by the Palmer College of Chiropractic. It includes a variety of techniques. The main ones being: Diversified, Thomson, Gonstead, and Toggle Recoil. Diversified consists of spinal analysis to identify the improper position of one or more vertebrae, and the administration of a manual thrust. Thomson uses a special table with drop-away sections to minimize the amount of energy needed to adjust the spine. In Gonstead, the practitioner uses a small heat-sensing instrument and full-spine X-rays, then has the patient sit, kneel, or lie on her side so adjustments can be made. Finally, Toggle Recoil consists of the administration of a high-speed, low-force thrust to the upper spine.
Myofascial Release
Myofascial Release is a very effective hands-on technique that provides sustained pressure into myofascial restrictions to eliminate pain and restore motion. The theory of Myofascial Release requires an understanding of the fascial system (or connective tissue). The fascia is a specialized system of the body that has an appearance similar to a spider's web or a sweater.
Fascia is very densely woven, covering and interpenetrating every muscle, bone, nerve, artery and vein as well as all of our internal organs including the heart, lungs, brain and spinal cord. The most interesting aspect of the fascial system is that it is not just a system of separate coverings. It is actually one structure that exists from head to foot without interruption. In this way you can begin to see that each part of the entire body is connected to every other part by the fascia, like the yarn in a sweater.
Fascia also plays an important role in the support of our bodies, since it surrounds and attaches to all structures. These structures would not be able to provide the stability without the constant pull of the fascial system. In fact, our bones can be thought of as tent poles, which cannot support the structure without the constant support of the guide wires (or fascia) to keep an adequate amount of tension to allow the tent (or body) to remain upright with proper equilibrium.
In the normal healthy state, the fascia is relaxed and wavy in configuration. It has the ability to stretch and move without restriction. When we experience physical trauma, scarring, or inflammation, however, the fascia loses its pliability. It becomes tight, restricted and a source of tension to the rest of the body. Trauma, such as a fall, whiplash, surgery or just habitual poor posture over time and repetitive stress injuries has a cumulative effects. The changes they cause in the fascial system influence comfort and the functioning of our body. The fascia can exert excessive pressure producing pain or restriction of motion. They affect our flexibility and stability, and are a determining factor in our ability to withstand stress and strain.
The use of Myofascial Release allows us to look at each patient as a unique individual. Our one-on-one therapy sessions are hands-on treatments during which our therapists use a multitude of Myofascial Release techniques and movement therapy. We promote independence through education in proper body mechanics and movement, through the enhancement of strength, flexibility, and postural and movement awareness.
Activator Method
Evolved from nearly 40 years of empirical study and 15 years of clinical research, the Activator Methods Chiropractic Technique (AMCT) uses the latest advances in orthopedic, neurological and chiropractic examinations to seek joint dysfunction in the spinal column and extremities for improved patient care. AMCT uses the Activator Adjusting Instrument to give consistent low-force, high-speed chiropractic adjustments. Over 35,000 doctors have been trained in AMCT and 2,100 doctors are Proficiency Rated, making AMCT the most widely used technique worldwide; a testament to low force patient satisfaction.