Chiropractic Care: What Is It & What To Expect
What is Chiropractic Care?
Chiropractic care is a holistic approach to health and well-being utilizing a combination of evidence-based treatment therapies best suited and tailored for a specific individual. Chiropractors provide a hands-on, non-invasive, and drug-free experience aimed at relieving pain and improving function by focusing on the skeletal, muscle, and nervous systems. These systems are treated by directing care toward the muscles, joints, and soft tissues which are used every day (1).
The Essence of Evidence-Based Care
Evidence-based chiropractic care is an approach which integrates the highest quality available research paired with clinical expertise and patient values. Therefore, the approach for care is always changing, adapting, and evolving which helps improve the plan of care and better patient experience.
Relying on scientific studies and clinical outcomes to help shape chiropractic care ensures the longevity and value of conservative care in society. Specifically, with the rise of chronic back and joint pain causing disability and impaired function, providing a holistic, hands-on, and drug free approach helps individuals achieve a higher quality of life while reducing the strain on the healthcare system long term (1).
Did you know?
Almost 8 million Canadians suffer from chronic pain, with back pain being the leading source of chronic pain among that group (3).
Roughly 1 billion people suffer with spinal pain world-wide, and over 11 million Canadians suffer from a condition or injury which impacts their movement from day-to-day (3).
Roughly 13% of Canadians, or 3.7 million people, used opioid pain relief medication (OPRMs) in 2018. Of those, an estimated 351,000 individuals engaged in problematic usage of OPRMs (4).
Opioid usage for back pain management had no significant difference when assessing pain severity when compared to placebo (5). As well, the opioid usage for treatment for back pain is often not recommended initially due to lack of clinical evidence and impact on back pain outcomes (6).
So, what to expect from a Chiropractic session at Choice Health Centre?
First, you will be requested to fill out a health status questionnaire prior to your appointment which helps inform the clinicians and patient care specialists of your individual requirements and circumstances. Then, you will be greeted by one of our lovely patient care specialists upon arrival and meet your chiropractor. Next, during your initial assessment, the chiropractor will cover an extensive history and physical examination regarding the purpose of your visit. You will be guided through a unique plan of care, specific to you and your diagnosis, to achieve the best possible outcome. To finish off the appointment, you will receive treatment combining multiple modalities (E.g., Chiropractic adjustments and mobilizations, functional integrated acupuncture, soft tissue release techniques, low-level-laser therapy, instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization, etc.) which utilizes clinical expertise, patient values, and the most current research. However, it is important to know, recovery is never a straight line with improvement following every appointment. There will be ups and downs, setbacks, and days where you leave feeling fantastic. But it is important to think of the big picture, your plan of care form has an estimated timeline for seeing improvement, so as long as we stay on track, attend appointments as discussed, and perform our home exercises you will be on track to a more functional you!
Chiropractic care and other evidence-based conservative styles of treatment are a fantastic method to help reduce pain and disability while improving overall joint function. Further, due to the growing opioid crisis and the lack of clinical evidence with opioids for back pain, utilizing drug-free conservative approaches should be everyone’s first line approach to help improve quality of life. By adopting an evidence-based approach to chiropractic care, individuals can harness its potential to enhance their well-being and address various health concerns. The key lies in understanding the science behind it, finding a qualified chiropractor, and actively participating in the healing process. As the journey to wellness unfolds, it’s clear that evidence-based chiropractic care can play a pivotal role in achieving a healthier, happier life.
References:
1. Canadian Chiropractic Association. What is chiropractic care? 2023 [cited Oct. 2,2023]. Retrieved from: https://chiropractic.ca/what-is-chiropractic-care/
2. Canadian Chiropractic Association. Why see a chiropractor? June 2023 [cited Oct. 2, 2023]. Retrieved from: https://chiropractic.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Why-See-A-Chiropractor-June2023.pdf
3. Government of Canada. Canadian Pain Task Force report: March 2021. May 2021 [cited Oct. 12, 2023]. Retrieved from: https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/corporate/about-health-canada/public-engagement/external-advisory-bodies/canadian-pain-task-force/report-2021.html
4. Government of Canada. Statistics Canada: significant factors associated with problematic use of opioid pain relief medications among the household population, Canada, 2018. January 2022 [cited Oct. 20, 2023]. Retrieved from: https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/82-003-x/2021012/article/00002-eng.htm
5. Jones CMP, Day RO, Koes BW, Latimer J, Maher CG, McLachlan AJ, et al. Opioid analgesia for acute low back pain and neck pain (the OPAL trial): a randomized placebo-controlled trial. June 2023 [cited Oct. 25, 2023]. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(23)00404-X
6. BMJ Best Practice. Musculoskeletal lower back pain. 2023 [cited Oct. 25, 2023]. Retrieved from: https://bestpractice-bmj-com.ezproxy.cmcc.ca/topics/en-gb/778/treatment-algorithm#