Our goal is to help you enjoy the things you love. Your care is your choice. You choose how much or how little you want. For some people, chiropractic is helping them out of pain and for others, it is helping them maintain their health!
If you have any additional questions about chiropractic care, please give a call at (705) 435-6371. We would be happy to answer your questions and welcome you into care. We can even do a free mini consultation over the phone if you are still unsure.
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What is Chiropractic?
Chiropractic is based on the scientific fact that your body is a self-regulating, self-healing organism, controlled by the brain, spinal cord and nerves of the body. If the spine (vertebra) becomes shifted out the normal position or ‘stuck’ this can irritate the joints, ligaments, muscles and most importantly, the nerves! These spinal shifts can be the cause of many symptoms including pain, numbness/tingling and weakness.
How does Chiropractic work?
Chiropractic works by restoring spinal function with gentle safe chiropractic adjustments. Improved spinal function allows for improved joints, ligament, and muscle functions. Together this will help your nervous system function better with fewer or no symptoms.
Should I consult a Chiropractor?
Everybody should at least have their spine assessed by a Chiropractor just as you do for your teeth by a Dentist. Consultation is especially important after a traumatic event such as a fall, work injury, car accident or sport injury. The Chiropractor will then be able to advise you on the health of your spine. You choose how much or how little care you want. Many people also consider the
benefits of regular Chiropractic care even when they feel healthy. Just as you see your dentist to have your teeth checked, regular visits to your Chiropractor can catch health related conditions early, often preventing them from developing into major problems.
What is an adjustment?
Adjustments are used by Dr. Kent to help restore spinal movement and function. There are different techniques for adjusting the spine depending on factors such as the patient’s treatment preferences, age, condition and Dr. Kent’s assessment based on more than 20 years of experience.
There are three main types of adjustments that are used at the Alliston Chiropractic Wellness Centre. The types are: manual, drop table and instrument adjusting. Having these different types of treatments allows Dr. Kent to see babies/infants, grandparents and everybody between.
Adjustments are safe for all ages and are completely natural.
What is a spinal shift or misalignment?
A spinal misalignment is when one, or more, of the twenty-four movable bones of the spinal column has twisted or slipped out of place. These shifts can irritate the joints, ligament, muscles and nerves. This irritation can also cause inflammation making the tissues angry and painful. Other symptoms may include numbness/tingling and weakness.
There are three main types of shifts or misalignments. We call them the three T’s.
The misalignments are usually caused by one of three things: Trauma, Toxins and/or Thoughts. These shifts lead to an early break down in your spine causing arthritis.
Chiropractors often call these shifts in your spine “subluxations”.
Can I tell if I have a spinal shift?
Actually, you can have spinal shifts and not even know it. Like the early stages of tooth decay, spinal shifts can be present long before any symptoms emerge. Only chiropractors have the specific training to detect spinal shifts. Using special techniques such as x-ray, surface electromyography, thermal scanning and postural analysis, Chiropractors can determine whether or not spinal shifts are present.
How do you get spinal shifts?
There are
three main types of shifts or misalignments. We call them the three T’s.
The shifts are caused by one of three things: Trauma, Toxins and/or Thoughts. These shifts lead to an early break down in your spine causing arthritis causing more problems.
Traumas include slips and falls, motor accidents, improper sleeping positions, old injuries that have healed wrong and arthritis.
Toxins include smoking, alcohol abuse, not drinking enough water, improper diet or the overused of drugs or medications. You want to try to avoid foods that have pesticides and preventives. In our family we try to eat foods that rot.
Thoughts such as when our kids bring home an awesome report card or get a goal actually help us and is considered a good stress. Bad stress thoughts will cause health issues by upsetting the hormonal balance of cortisol. Cortisol is a stress hormone that causes many unhealthy (sometimes life threatening) changes in the body as cortisol level s get out of balance and TOO high. Many feel that this type of mental stress is the most important health issue now!
Do I have a slipped disc?
This is a confusing term as a disc cannot actually slip because of the way it attaches to the bones above and below. Usually a slipped disc refers to some type of bulge or
herniated disc. Discs are known as the “shock absorbers” of the spine and are made up of a fibrous outer ring and a jelly-like centre. Commonly, a variety of disc problems throughout the spine may be referred to as a “slipped disc”. Discs can tear, decay, bulge or dehydrate, all of which can be serious problems. However, discs cannot slip.
Can I be adjusted If I have a disc bulge, protrusion, or herniation?
Yes you can! This fact is that many people are able to avoid back surgery with the help of chiropractic care. Did you know that up to half of us have an injured disc. Chiropractic care is very helpful for these people.
What results can I expect from an adjustment?
That is a tough question to answer as everybody is different. The goal is always to get the spine functioning better. When that happens irritations to the nerves, ligament and muscles are reduced which help a person feel better. Some patients will just jump off the table as they feel so must better from the adjustment, while others will need a number of treatments. There is no crystal ball that will tell us what that number will be. The number of adjustments will depend on your condition, the length of time you have had the problem, your age and the degree of spinal changes or decay. The key is to always remember that your care is ALWAYS up to YOU. I will give you my best recommendations for you with choices.
What happens during an adjustment?
This is different for everyone. That is why Dr. Kent will do a comprehensive history, orthopedic exam, and x-rays (if needed) to decide the different options that best suit your needs and explain in detail before any treatment is started. Dr. Kent uses three main
types of adjustments that are used at the Alliston Chiropractic Wellness Centre. The types are: manual, drop table and instrument adjusting. Having these different types of treatments allows Dr. Kent to see babies/infants, grandparents and everybody between.
Is it okay to see a Chiropractor if I am pregnant?
Absolutely! Pregnant people frequently have more comfortable and shortened active labour times. Due to the inability to take medications, the natural safe approaches of Chiropractic is a logical choice for pregnant women for
pain,
morning sickness, and other pregnancy related issues. More and more
doulas,
midwives, and
family doctors in our community are referring to chiropractors because of the
results.
Pregnancy care is a very different form of chiropractic care. Special tables, pillows and patient positioning must be used so Moms are comfortable. Also there are techniques designed to help naturally turn a breech baby called the Webster Technique.
Do children need Chiropractic care?
That depends. Since significant spinal trauma can occur at birth, many parents have their newborns checked. Naturally, Chiropractic adjusting procedures are adapted for the child’s spine. Many childhood health complaints can be traced back to a spinal shift. Having the spine checked throughout your child’s growing years can help prevent health problems in adulthood. Parents often prefer Chiropractic care for their children because of its safe, non-invasive nature.
Do babies and infants need Chiropractic care?
Even with today’s natural childbirth, some methods can cause spinal shifts. Some studies suggest that infantile colic, poor appetite, ear infections or erratic sleeping habits may be helped with chiropractic. Pediatric adjustments are gentle and safe, and offer a drug-less alternative that many parents prefer. Pediatricians refer to Chiropractors for a natural approach for infant health problems.
Great times to consider having your baby checked is:
- After the birth process.
- When the baby starts to hold his/her head up.
- When the baby sits up.
- When the baby starts to crawl.
- When the baby starts to stand.
- When the baby starts to walk.
You do everything to ensure your baby’s health during pregnancy: you eat right, avoid drugs, smoking and drinking, take childbirth classes so you can have a natural, drug-free birth. After the baby is born, you breastfeed knowing that it is the superior form of nutrition; you do everything you can to make sure your baby is healthy but have you had the most important part of their health, their spine and nervous system, checked?
Can a person with previous back surgery see a Chiropractor?
Absolutely. We treat many patients that have had spine surgery. It does not matter if the surgery was for back, hip, shoulder or knee. Just let Dr. Kent know. After surgery there is usually still some residual symptoms. These residual symptoms can be from the surgery or the way your body compensated from the original injury. Chiropractic can help with the leftover symptoms and aid in the rehab from your surgery.
Can patients with arthritis receive Chiropractic care?
You bet. Arthritis is one of top causes of
disability in Canada and we can help!
Patients who suffer from various forms of arthritis can get great results from Chiropractic care. Chiropractic care helps keep the spinal joints moving freely. Kind of like adding oil or WD40 to the joints to help minimize the stiffness and pain associated with arthritis. Additionally, studies show that those who enjoy chiropractic from a younger age reduce their risk of osteoarthritis late in life.
Is Chiropractic care addictive?
Nope. Chiropractic care is no more addictive than exercise, proper diet or brushing your teeth. Once you start to feel better many patients why not continue? Chiropractors recommend getting your spine checked for periodically throughout your lifetime, because it is healthy for you to do so. Patients under long-term Chiropractic care report an overall sense of well being, far beyond the benefits of diet and exercise alone.
What makes the CRACK sound during adjustments?
Did you know that some chiropractic adjustments DON’T cause any “cracking” or “popping noises”. Some people have avoided seeing a chiropractor because they hate or are afraid of the noise. If this is you, just talk to Dr. Kent to see if other types of adjustments could be used.
Let’s get the facts! To start, the noise is called a cavitation. The cavitation noise happens in synovial types of joints. Synovial joints have fluid inside side to help lubricate the joints.
Here is the science: MRI studies demonstrates that when a synovial joint is separated slightly, a gas filled cavity or vacuum of negative pressure is rapidly formed. The study then demonstrated that it is in fact this rapid drop in pressure contained within the capsule of the synovial joint that produces the sound we hear as a “pop” or “crack”. This is just like when you open a jar of jam or pasta sauce.
So there you have it, the noise is just gas shifting in the joint: similar to the noise created by “cracking” your knuckles. This sound is painless and causes no harm.
Are Chiropractic adjustments safe?
Yes. Because of all the misinformation, the Chiropractic adjustment has been examined extensively for safety. There have been six government inquiries into Chiropractic care, worldwide, in the last 25 years. They have all concluded that Chiropractic treatment is widely recognized as one of the safest, drug-free, non-invasive therapies available for the treatment of headache, and neck and back pain. It has an excellent safety record. However, no health treatment is completely free of potential adverse effects. Even common over-the-counter medicines carries a risk as do many
prescriptions.
Most of our patients experience immediate relief following an adjustment. The most common issue comes from the fact that most people visit a chiropractor when they are already in pain. This pain usually is occurring because something is angry with you. Whether it is an inflamed joint, ligament, muscle, ligament or nerve the tissue is already unhappy and inflamed. So you can imagine when the chiropractor starts to move that already angry and inflamed area, things could get temporarily worse. This is typically minor and short-lived just let you chiropractic know. Usually ice is all that is needed. Remember how painful that sprained ankle was when you tried to move it?
Dr. Kent is trained to recognize when you may be at risk and will adapt the treatment accordingly. Communication with patients is a key element of Chiropractic treatment, so ask questions.
What about extended health benefits?
There is currently no OHIP coverage for Chiropractic services. Many of our patients are covered by
extended health care plans for Chiropractic care.
Our services are rendered to you, not the insurance company. Therefore, you are directly responsible for your account balance. Our office will be happy to provide a receipt so that your insurance company may refund you.
What if I was hurt working (Workers’ Compensation: WSIB)?
Once the
Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) have authorized treatment, all services for Chiropractic are completely covered (including x-rays and treatments). Just let us know if you have been hurt at work. Paperwork is the key! Make sure you have reported your injury to your employer. Most injuries will be approved for up to 4weeks but the paperwork will allow for extensions in care.
