Frequently Asked Questions

Every patient has different questions about chiropractic and massage therapy.

Chiropractic

Source: Canadian Chiropractic Association, Alberta College & Association of Chiropractic
What happens during my first visit?
Will I be treated on my first visit?
Is chiropractic care covered by health insurance?
What types of pain do chiropractors treat?
What is a chiropractic adjustment?
Do adjustments hurt?
How often will I need an adjustment?
Are chiropractors doctors?
Will a chiropractic adjustment completely remove back pain?
Can I see a chiropractor if I am pregnant?
How much does it cost?

On your first visit, you’ll need to fill out a health history form. You’ll review this information with your chiropractor before you’re examined. The chiropractor will do a physical exam and you may also need an ultrasound or x-ray. After your exam and tests, your chiropractor will explain what is wrong, and recommend the treatment that’s best for you.

– Canadian Chiropractic Association

Yes. Once the history and exam have been completed and recommendations have been given, treatment will start immediately, but only if you agree and it’s appropriate for your situation.

Chiropractic care is covered extensively by third-party payers. These include employee benefit plans, the federal public service, worker’s compensation boards, the automobile insurance industry, extended healthcare benefits, the RCMP, Canadian Forces and Veteran’s Affairs Canada.  Check your health plan to determine the coverage available to you for chiropractic care.

– Canadian Chiropractic Association

Chiropractors are known for their expertise in caring for patients with back pain, neck pain, and headaches. They also treat sports injuries and other disorders involving muscles, ligaments and joints. The benefits of chiropractic care go beyond this and extend into general health as our core body structure affects overall function and health.

– Canadian Chiropractic Association

A chiropractic adjustment is an art of using a specific, controlled force in a precise direction that is applied to a spinal joint not moving properly or “locked up.” The purpose of this natural and safe procedure is to correct structural alignment and eliminate interference in the nervous system. For the patient, this means improved spinal function, reduction in pain, and an overall improvement in health and wellness.

– Canadian Chiropractic Association

Chiropractic manipulation is a highly controlled procedure that rarely causes discomfort because minimal force and gentle pressure are used. In fact, most patients feel relief immediately following treatment. Any reported soreness after an initial adjustment has been described as similar to that associated with starting a new exercise program. Drinking plenty of water, using an ice pack, and engaging in light stretching after your first visit can help ease any discomfort and promote healing.

– Canadian Chiropractic Association

Chiropractic is a process, not an event. Treatment for each person is determined based on their individual needs. Some patients feel better after one treatment, but most require a  structured treatment plan to resolve their issues.

Yes, health care legislation recognizes Doctors of Chiropractic (chiropractors) as doctors. They go through a similar education process to become licensed in the field of chiropractic care. Chiropractors are recognized and regulated under the same Health Professions Act in Alberta as medical doctors, dentists and optometrists. Only specific health professionals are authorized by this legislation to use the title Dr. or doctor. In fact, educational requirements for chiropractors are among the most stringent of any health care profession.

– Canadian Chiropractic Association

For many, back pain can become chronic if left untreated. Chiropractic care has been shown to ease and even eliminate back pain for many patients.

Many pregnant women find that chiropractic adjustments improve their pregnancy experience and make delivery easier. Adjustments are adapted to accommodate the stage of pregnancy and the unique needs of each patient.

Your First Chiropractic Visit (*Includes a consultation and treatment cost.)

  • Adult $90
  • Senior $70
  • Child $30

Your Future Visits

  • Adult $50
  • Senior $45
  • Child $30

Massage Therapy

Sources: Massage Therapist Association of Alberta, Mayo Clinic
What are the benefits of massage therapy?
What can I expect at my first massage?
What type of massage do you offer?
Do I have to remove all of my clothes to get a massage?
Will insurance cover my massage? If so, how much?
Do you have a cancellation policy?
Do you offer direct billing?
Is massage therapy safe in pregnancy?
Do I need a doctor’s referral?

Regular massage therapy provides some pretty amazing benefits. Massage therapy from a Registered Massage Therapist can help with everything from injury, muscle tension, chronic pain and stress, to posture, high blood pressure and sleep issues—as well as providing an hour of blissful relaxation. Massage therapy is a great way to help enhance both your mental and physical well being as well as positively contribute to your general health and wellness.

At your first massage, you’ll complete a health history form and address any of your concerns and goals with your massage therapist. Once the treatment has been determined, the RMT will leave the room to allow you the privacy to get onto the table and make yourself comfortable. Before re-entering the room to begin the treatment, your therapist will knock on the door. To learn more about what to expect at your first massage, visit our Massage Therapy page.

Therapeutic Massage is for acute and chronic injuries or full body stress reduction. Each time you come in for a massage your therapist will design an individually tailored treatment to suit your body and your needs. 

To learn more about the types of Massage we offer visit our Massage Therapy page.

No. You can receive an effective, therapeutic massage regardless of what clothing (if any) you choose to remove. Your comfort and ability to relax is a top priority for our RMTs. It enables them to deliver effective massage therapy as well as make you feel at ease. RMTs are trained to make sure the fresh sheet on the massage table always drapes you and ensures your privacy. If at any time you feel uncomfortable, please let your RMT know. Before and after the massage, you will be able to undress and dress in complete privacy. For more information about what to expect, visit our Massage page.

 

Every plan is different, but the majority of insurance providers cover massage therapy: how much depends on each individual’s plan. It may either be a specific amount per visit that they will cover, or a percentage of the fee. Most plans also have a yearly cap. It is best to contact your payroll or benefits personnel before making an appointment if you are concerned about reimbursement.

Our cancellation policy for massage therapy is that we ask for at least 24 hours’ notice to cancel or reschedule your appointment time.

A 50% charge will be applied to late cancellations and missed appointments.

We provide direct billing to most insurance companies. To learn more, visit our Insurance page.

Yes, massage therapy is safe in all stages of pregnancy, though techniques and positioning are modified. If you have a condition you think limits you from having massage, give us a call and discuss it with us, as you can often continue getting massage with most conditions, with modifications to the treatment.

You do not need to have a referral to see a Registered Massage Therapist. If you are being covered by your insurance plan be sure to check your policy to see if a referral is needed in order to be reimbursed for the treatments.

More questions? Give our office a call

Chiropractic Myths

Source: Canadian Chiropractic Association - 6 Common Myths About Chiropractic Treatment
"Chiropractors are not ‘real’ doctors"
"A medical doctor must refer you to a chiropractor"
"Once you see a chiropractor you have to keep going back"
"There is no evidence to support the effectiveness of chiropractic care"
"Chiropractors can only treat back pain"
"Adjustments are painful"

Chiropractors are regulated in all 10 Canadian provinces, and are designated to use the title “doctor” similar to physicians, optometrists and dentists after completing the extensive Doctor of Chiropractic degree program. Those professions who are recognized to use the “doctor” title have extensive training in their area of expertise that allows them to be diagnosticians – to provide a diagnosis.

In all provinces in Canada, chiropractors are primary contact providers, which means you can access them directly. Due to the extensive training of chiropractors as diagnosticians, chiropractors will perform a comprehensive assessment to help determine a diagnosis or clinical impressions. Depending on the outcome, the chiropractor can discuss a course of care or refer to another healthcare professional as needed. However, in some cases, you may need a referral to access coverage depending on your benefits provider.

This is false. When seeking care from a chiropractor, we will perform an assessment including a history and physical examination to determine the cause of the pain or dysfunction. From these observations, a diagnosis will be made and the treatment plan developed in collaboration with the patient – according to their needs and goals. The treatment plan will recommend a number of initial visits to see if the patient responds to care and scheduled re-evaluations. Depending on the patient and the condition, the recommended course of care may vary. Ultimately, the decision to continue care is yours. As a patient, if you have questions or concerns about care, please feel comfortable asking the chiropractor for more information on the recommendations made and address any concerns. The care plan should be part of a shared decision-making between the patient and practitioner.

Chiropractic treatment is at times questioned on its effectiveness. Yet, the chiropractic profession and others have invested significant resources to build a robust body of evidence studying the impact of manual therapies on musculoskeletal conditions. For example, spinal and joint manipulation has been shown to be effective treatment for acute and chronic musculoskeletal conditions, like back pain. In fact, spinal manipulative therapy (SMT) is recommended as first line intervention for back pain in numerous clinical practice guidelines including the Bone and Joint Decade Task Force, the American College of Physicians and American Pain Society as well as Britain’s National Institute of Health and Care Excellence.

Chiropractors are musculoskeletal experts and are trained in assessing, diagnosing, treating and preventing biomechanical disorders that originate from the muscular, skeletal and nervous system. In addition to the evidence that supports chiropractic care in managing musculoskeletal complaints of the spine, there is also evidence that it supports chiropractic management of the extremities, headaches and even TMJ pain. Chiropractors are also able to provide lifestyle counselling about nutrition, fitness and ergonomics among others that may be useful in managing or preventing a variety of health conditions. The health of your musculoskeletal system doesn’t just start with a healthy spine, you need to be fully aware of your health to maintain a well-rounded healthy lifestyle!

In general, adjustments or joint manipulations do not hurt. In fact, many patients report immediate pain relief. Patients may be nervous about the ‘cracking’ or popping sound that may occur during an adjustment. The sound is believed to result from the release of gas bubbles from the joint – similar to cracking your knuckles!

Asking questions about your health and treatment options is very important. You are a partner in your care and your participation is critical to helping us provide the best care to meet your goal. If you have any questions beyond this blog about chiropractic treatment, visit a chiropractor in your area.