| MASSAGE
THERAPY FAQ
Is Massage Therapy covered by OHIP?
No. Massage Therapy is not covered by OHIP, however
it is often covered through extended Health Insurance
Plans.
Do you need a physician's referral?
To see a Registered Massage Therapist you do not need
a doctor's referral, however some insurance companies
do required one in order to be covered by your extended
health care benefits.
Who can benefit Massage Therapy?
There are many benefits of massage, such as stress reduction,
therefore everyone can benefit from a therapeutic massage.
However, it is essential that you see a registered therapist
who is trained to perform a clinical assessment in order
to ensure a safe and effective treatment.
Is it safe for a woman who is pregnant to receive
massage therapy?
Yes. Massage therapy has been proven to be safe and
effective in treating the discomforts of pregnancy.
Consult your physician before seeking massage therapy.
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CHIROPRACTICS FAQ
What conditions do chiropractors treat?
Chiropractors are experts trained in the neuromusculoskeletal
system. They diagnose and treat disorders of the spine
and other body joints by adjusting the spinal column
or through other corrective manipulation. Chiropractors
provide conservative management of neuromusculoskeletal
disorders including, but not limited to, back, neck
and head pain (over 90 percent of conditions treated).
They also advise patients on corrective exercises, lifestyle
and nutrition.
What happens during a treatment?
During your first visit, the chiropractor will want
to know about your health history as well as your current
complaint. Your home and work life as well as your level
of physical activity may also affect your health, so
don't be surprised to be asked questions about these.Although
chiropractors use their hands for most treatments, they
also use other methods such as heat, light, specialized
adjusting instruments, ultrasound, electrotherapy, personalized
exercise programs, muscle-testing and balancing. Your
chiropractor can also give you information and guidance
on how you can stay healthy through proper nutrition,
exercise and lifestyle changes.
What kind of education and training do chiropractors
have?
Chiropractors are educated as primary contact health
care practitioners, with an emphasis on neuromusculoskeletal
diagnosis and treatment. Preparation for the practice
of chiropractic is concentrated on three areas: basic
training in the biological and health sciences, specialized
training in the chiropractic discipline, and extensive
clinical training. Becoming a chiropractor in Canada
requires a minimum of 6 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 Canada.
What results can I expect from treatment?
That depends on your condition. The length of time you
have had the problem, your age and the degree of your
disability all affect the length of your treatment.
Your chiropractic doctor should tell you the extent
of treatment recommended, and how long you can expect
it to last.One of the main reasons people choose chiropractic
is that they often get quick results. Individual cases
vary and chronic conditions obviously need more treatment,
but Workers' Compensation Board studies show, for example,
that people with low back pain get back to work much
faster with chiropractic care.You might also consider
the benefits of regular chiropractic adjustments even
when you feel healthy. Sometimes you won't know you
have a disorder of the neuromusculoskeletal system until
it becomes acute and painful. So, just as you see your
dentist to have your teeth checked and your optometrist
for eye exams, regular visits to your chiropractor can
catch related health conditions early, often preventing
them from developing into major problems. Remember,
your spine is every bit as susceptible to wear and tear
as your teeth and your eyes so you should look after
it.
How is chiropractic adjustment performed?
Chiropractic adjustment or manipulation is a manual
procedure that utilizes the highly refined skills developed
during four intensive years of chiropractic education.
The chiropractor typically uses his/her hands to manipulate
the joints of the body, particularly the spine, in order
to reduce pain, and restore or enhance joint function.Chiropractic
manipulation is a highly controlled procedure that 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.
How many people see chiropractors?
Public surveys are finding that the proportion of Canadians
that are consulting chiropractors is rising every year.
Statistics Canada data found that over 11 percent (3
million) Canadians consulted a chiropractor in 1996.
The figures today are closer to 15 percent, or over
4 million Canadians annually. There are approximately
35 million office visits to chiropractors each year.
Is chiropractic covered by government health
plans?
Chiropractic services are partially covered by the provincial
health plans of Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta.
Most federal government departments (such as the RCMP
and Veteran’s Affairs) also cover chiropractic
services. All worker’s compensation boards and
most employer and other third party insurance plans
cover chiropractic services as well, thereby making
it affordable health care by most Canadians.
Is chiropractic manipulation a safe procedure?
Chiropractic adjustment or manipulation is a drug-free,
non-invasive approach to common musculoskeletal conditions
such as headache, and neck and back pain. As such, it
is a low risk therapy. Complications arising from adjustment
are rare.
Is chiropractic evidence-based?
Chiropractic is a healing discipline firmly grounded
in science. Few other health care interventions have
been assessed as extensively as chiropractic manipulation,
both in terms of safety and effectiveness. There have
been at least six formal government inquiries into chiropractic
worldwide over the last 25 years and all have concluded
that contemporary chiropractic care is safe, effective,
cost-effective and have recommended public funding for
chiropractic services. In addition, there have been
countless scientific clinical studies assessing the
appropriateness, effectiveness, and/or cost-effectiveness
of spinal manipulation or chiropractic manipulation,
most notably for low back pain. The Canadian Institutes
for Health Research (CIHI) now offers research grants
in partnership with the Canadian Chiropractic Association
to chiropractors and other scientists for high quality,
chiropractic research.
Is chiropractic regulated in Canada?
Like medicine and dentistry, chiropractic is a self-regulating
profession, and each provincial chiropractic regulatory
body has the authority to grant a license to practice
chiropractic. There are Chiropractic Acts in all 10
provinces and the Yukon Territory which establish a
self-regulatory process which includes extensive testing
for licensure. In all provinces, licensure requirements
include a minimum of two years pre-professional university
studies, graduation from an accredited chiropractic
institution (4 or 5 years), and passing national and
provincial board examinations.
Is chiropractic treatment appropriate for children?
Yes, children may benefit from chiropractic care. Children
are very physically active and experience many types
of falls and blows from activities of daily living as
well as from participating in sports. Injuries such
as these may cause many symptoms including back and
neck pain, stiffness, soreness or discomfort. Chiropractic
care is always adapted to the individual patient. It
is a highly skilled treatment, and in the case of children,
very gentle.While there is some clinical evidence that
musculoskeletal treatment of infants may have positive
effects, well-controlled studies are required to verify
the benefits that are seen in clinical practice.
Is every patient’s treatment the same?
The treatment a patient receives is related to the specific
condition diagnosed by the chiropractor, and will vary
from person to person depending on each persons unique
situation. Like M.D.s chiropractors follow generally
accepted protocols and guidelines.
Is chiropractic treatment ongoing?
The hands-on nature of the chiropractic treatment is
essentially what sends patients back to the chiropractor
a number of times. To be treated by a chiropractor a
patient needs to be in his or her office. In contrast,
a course of treatment from medical doctors often involves
a pre-established plan that is conducted at home (ie.
taking a course of antibiotics once a day for a couple
of weeks). A chiropractor may provide acute, preventative
and/or maintenance care thus making a certain number
of visits sometimes necessary. The average number of
annual visits per patient is eight.
Can chiropractic treatment cure colds, earaches
and other ailments?
Chiropractic care cannot "cure" these conditions,
but there is some evidence to indicate that adjustment
may have a beneficial effect on a variety of conditions.
Adjustment may alleviate some of the secondary, or referred
pain, arising from the response of the musculoskeletal
structures to the primary cause. For example, research
conducted in Denmark resulted in chiropractic treatment
being recommended for the relief of infantile colic.1
Similarly, a recent U.S. study concluded that the application
of manipulative techniques in children with recurring
ear infections can prevent or decrease surgical intervention
or antibiotic overuse.
Can chiropractic treatment provide a preventative
function?
Clinical experience suggests that individuals with chronic
conditions such as degenerative joint disease (osteoarthritis)
or recurrent neck pain, back pain or headaches may experience
less frequent and less severe symptoms when under regular
chiropractic care. This also applies to individuals
in highly stressful situations and those who experience
repetitive physical and postural strain from their daily
activities. Whether ongoing chiropractic treatment can
prevent back pain from occurring in the first place,
or prevent a previous condition from re-occurring, requires
further study.
What is the difference between physicians and
chiropractors?
That's like asking the difference between a physician
and a dentist: they are different professions within
the health care spectrum. Both chiropractors and physicians
are legally entitled to use the title "doctor".
As the appellation MD means "Doctor of Medicine",
so DC means "Doctor of Chiropractic".The role
of chiropractic is complementary to other areas of primary
health care. Chiropractic is not, for example, a replacement
for medical care, but may offer an alternative to medication
and surgery in appropriate circumstances.Recognition
by health science that many illnesses of our modern
society are lifestyle based has shown us that we, as
individuals, can influence our own health and well being.
Many people, therefore, welcome chiropractic's emphasis
on healthy lifestyle and patient responsibility, as
well as its help in improving the body's functions and
ability to fight off disease.
Do chiropractors refer patients to medical
doctors when necessary?
Yes, like medical doctors, chiropractors refer patients
to other health professionals when they feel it is appropriate.
Chiropractors are well trained to 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 the patient’s health.
Does chiropractic treatment require a referral
from an MD?
No. A patient does not have to be referred. Chiropractors
are legislated as primary contact health care professionals
in every province in Canada. This means that patients
can consult them directly. Similarly, chiropractors
frequently refer to medical doctors when necessary.
Do chiropractors take a medical history?
Like MD’s, the chiropractor will take a detailed
health history during the first visit, prior to initial
treatment. This will include details on lifestyle and
risk factors to give the chiropractor a full picture
of the patient’s health in order to determine
the best treatment. As well, a detailed health history
is important to rule out any contraindications and fully
investigate risk factors before a diagnosis and treatment
recommendation can be reached.
Does chiropractic treatment require x-rays?
X-rays can play an important role in diagnosis and are
taken when a need has been determined after taking a
patient case history and conducting a physical examination.
Chiropractors receive 360 hours of education in radiology
covering a full range of topics from protection to X-ray
interpretation and diagnosis. Governments in every province
have recognized the training and competence of chiropractors
to take and interpret X-rays and have granted them this
right.
Does neck adjustment require stretching and
rotating the neck beyond its normal range of motion?
No, it does not, as anyone who has had their neck adjusted
will attest. Neck adjustment is done within the normal
range of motion and is often performed to improve flexibility
and reduce pain. The normal range during treatment is
less than what is required to turn your head when backing
up a car.
Is neck adjustment safe?
All health treatments have the potential for adverse
effects and, on rare occasions, neck adjustment has
been associated with stroke and stroke-like symptoms.
A Canadian study, published in 2001, concluded that
stroke symptoms associated with neck adjustments are
so rare that it is difficult to quantify.2 Similarly,
a medical review published in 2002 looked at 73 studies
of chiropractic care and found no serious complications
reported in any of them.3 By way of comparison, neck
adjustment is significantly safer than other common
treatments for headache, neck and back pain.
Is neck adjustment a forceful action?
No. This has been demonstrated in studies to determine
the degree of physical strain applied during adjustment.1
It is skill, not strength, that is needed to conduct
a safe, effective adjustment.
Are all neck adjustment techniques equally
safe?
Canadian chiropractors are taught a variety of adjustment
techniques and there is no evidence to suggest that
any one technique is less safe than the others. Chiropractic
techniques that are applied appropriately are effective
and safe. Why would neck adjustment have an effect on
anything other than neck pain? Pain or discomfort in
one area of the body may be linked functionally to discomfort
arising from another area. Consequently, addressing
dysfunction in one part of the body may relieve symptoms
in another part. If you look at a model of the spine,
you can see that the spine is an interconnected structure.
Adjustment at various points along the structure may
be needed to help reduce biomechanical stresses on other
parts of the spine and to relieve discomfort.
Why is there a popping sound when a joint is
adjusted?
Adjustment of a joint may result in release of a gas
bubble between the joints that makes a popping sound
– it’s exactly the same as when you "crack"
your knuckles. It is not painful. It is caused by the
change of pressure within the joint resulting in gas
bubbles being released.
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NATUROPATHICS FAQ
Is naturopathic medicine covered by O.H.I.P.
or health insurance?
While naturopathic medicine is not covered by O.H.I.P.,
most extended health insurance plans do offer coverage
. Please contact your benefits provider to check your
coverage.
Is naturopathic medicine the right choice for
me?
Our naturopathic doctor, Jennifer Cincurak ND, is happy
to book a free 15 minute information session to discuss
whether or not naturopathic medicine is an appropriate
treatment for you.
What can I expect on my first naturopathic
visit?
Your first visit to YS health clinic's naturopathic
doctor will last approximately 1.5 - 2 hrs. You may
download intake forms and bring them in for your first
visit or arrive 15 minutes early to fill them out. Our
naturopath will then take a thorough health history
as well as gather information regarding your mental,
social and environmental well-being. She will also perform
a full external physical exam including ophthalmic,
auditory, cardiovascular, respiratory, neurological
and musculoskeletal assessment. While some treatment
may be given at the first visit, the naturopathic doctor
spends several hours reviewing your case after the initial
consult, putting together a specific treatment tailored
to your needs.
How long will I need to continue treatment?
Naturopathic medicine entails individual treatment plans
for each person, therefore the length of treatment will
be dependent upon the condition being addressed, the
therapies being used and the progression of each patient's
health. Our naturopath strongly advocates patient education
and responsibility as a means of empowering people to
regain balance of health. When a patient becomes informed
and aware of their health they are better able to care
for themselves and their family. Therefore, as you become
attuned to your health and educated on how to prevent
illness, the less you will need to see your naturopath.
Do naturopathic doctors work with conventional
care providers?
Yes. It is important to our naturopath that health care
practitioners work together to provide the maximum benefit
to you the patient. Naturopathic doctors do work in
concert with your conventional and other health care
providers.
Is it safe to use natural remedies while using
prescription drugs?
Naturopathic doctors are extremely well trained in herb-drug
and nutrient-drug interactions. Since not all natural
remedies are safe to take with prescription drugs, naturopathic
doctors are the best suited experts to guide you in
their use.
How is naturopathic medicine regulated?
Naturopathic medicine is regulated by the Board of Directors
of Drugless Therapy - Naturopathy under the Drugless
Practitioners Act. In order to practice in Ontario,
naturopathic doctors must pass North American Board
examinations as well as provincial examinations.
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