Eight out of ten Canadians will experience back pain at some point in their life, and at least one third of people in Ontario will have back pain at any given time. For many people, the pain can keep them away from work, school or even their day-to-day activities.
Adjustment of the joints of the body has been used in health care for many centuries and is at the heart of modern chiropractic care. Chiropractors are specialists in manual adjustment of the vertebrae of the spine and other joints. Adjustment helps relieve pain and restore normal functioning to the spine, joints and supporting structures of the body – so you can enjoy your everyday activities again as quickly as possible. Chiropractors also can provide many soft-tissue treatments to the muscles, tendons and ligaments such as Active Release Technique, trigger point therapy and Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM).
Dr. Nolet is an Advanced Practice Provider with the Interdisciplinary Spine Assessment and Education Clinics which is part of the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care’s program for musculoskeletal care.
Chiropractic Care at Wellington Ortho & Rehab can be accessed with or without a referral from your family physician.
Chiropractors are legislated as primary contact health professionals in every province in Canada. This means that patients can consult them directly. However, chiropractors often work closely with medical doctors, many of whom refer to chiropractors when they believe chiropractic treatment will help alleviate a patient’s condition. Similarly, chiropractors frequently refer to medical doctors when necessary.
Chiropractic treatment is covered by many extended health plans, the workplace safety and insurance board (WSIB) and auto insurance. The initial visit fee is $100 and subsequent treatment visits are $45 (student and senior rates are available).
A chiropractor first takes a medical history, performs a physical examination and may use lab tests or diagnostic imaging to determine if treatment is appropriate for your symptoms.
The treatment plan may involve one or more manual adjustments in which the doctor manipulates the joints, using a controlled, sudden force to improve range and quality of motion. Often nutritional counseling and exercise/rehabilitation are incorporated into a treatment plan.