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:: yonge-sheppard h e a l t h c e n t r e :: Chiropractic - About


about chiropractics

What Is Chiropractic?

Chiropractic means "done by hand." Doctors of Chiropractic focus on the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of muscle and joint problems in the body.


Chiropractic care may complement or support conventional 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 elements of such disorders, chiropractic treatment improves the general well-being of the patient.


Although the major focus of chiropractic is on the spine and central nervous system, your chiropractor is concerned with the wellness of your whole body. Plus chiropractors work with your physician to help you achieve optimal health and well-being.

What are Chiropractors?

Chiropractors are concerned with how the nerves, muscles and joints function, not just in the spine, but all over the body. They focus on the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mechanical disorders of the body. They use specific joint manipulations or "adjustments" as one of their modes of treatment. This is a highly controlled procedure that improves the range of motion and flexibility of joints, and aims at restoring proper function. Patients often note positive changes in their symptoms immediately following treatment. Joint manipulation has a lot of scientific studies showing that it is safe and helps improve the function of joints and is effective for common conditions such as headache, neck, and back pain.


Chiropractors, along with medical doctors, dentists, psychologists, and optometrists have the legislated right and obligation to communicate a diagnosis and to use the title doctor. The College of Chiropractors of Ontario is established by legislation in the same manner, and with the same structure and similar regulations, as the regulatory bodies for other health professions. It is responsible for protecting the public, standards of practice, disciplinary issues, quality assurance and maintenance of competency.

Is Chiropractic Safe?

Chiropractic is widely recognized as one of the safest, drug-free, non-invasive therapies available for the treatment of headache, neck, low back and joint pain. However, no health treatment is completely free of potential adverse effects. Your Chiropractor will discuss your diagnosis and plan of management with you before any treatment is started and review any possible side effects that may associated with your specific treatment plan.

What is an adjustment?

The wear and tear of everyday life is hard on your spine. It can become misaligned and cause many health problems. This is because the nervous system runs through your spine and controls every function of your body. Spinal adjustments are highly skilled, gentle manipulations of the vertebrae correcting spinal restrictions/subluxations.


Treatment emphasizes joint manipulation but includes other manual procedures, foot orthotics, lifestyle modifications, ergonomic and nutritional advice, stretching and strengthening exercises.

What can Chiropractic Help with?

Some examples of conditions that we have had great success with are:

  • Back Pain and Sciatica
  • Headaches, Migraines and Neck Pain
  • Shoulder Pain, like Rotator Cuff Syndrome
  • Arm, Wrist and Hand Pain - like Tennis Elbow and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
  • Hip and Knee Pain - like Psoas Syndrome and Iliotibial Band Syndrome
  • Leg, Foot and Ankle Pain - like Shin Splints and Plantar Fasciitis
  • Repetitive Strain Disorders
  • Sprains, Strains and Other Sports Related Injuries
  • Neck & Shoulder tension
  • Muscle spasm/cramps
  • Rehabilitation
  • Pregnancy symptom relief
  • Whiplash injuries
  • Arthritis
  • Tendonitis/Bursitis

Chiropractic treatment and massage therapy go hand in hand

Chiropractors often work with massage therapists in treating back and neck pain. Tight, tense muscles can pull the vertebrae out of alignment. A massage before a chiropractic treatment will help the body respond to the care given and decrease soreness post-treatment. Once the chiropractor has made an adjustment to the spine, stretching the muscles can help keep the adjustment in place. It is also difficult for the chiropractor to perform an adjustment on a person who has tense back muscles.


A multi-treatment approach to relieving neck and back pain often has the best success rate.