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A vertebral subluxation
is therefore a condition in which one or more of the 24 moveable
vertebrae are not moving well, creating inflammation that then interferes with the delicate nerves that exit between the spinal bones. This causes irritation to
the nerve and impairs its ability to transmit or receive vital
nerve messages from various parts of the body.
It
is important to understand that this can manifest itself without
causing any perceivable pain --the pain is usually the last thing
to appear and is caused by swelling or inflammation in the problem
area. Chiropractors use many techniques involving their hands
to gently restore proper motion or alignment.
The chiropractic curriculum is a five-year intensive doctorate program.
Training is very rigorous and emphasizes topics including anatomy,
physiology, pathology, diagnosis, neurology, orthopaedics,
kinesiology,
nutrition, ergonomics, and radiology. Furthermore, the program
includes an 18-month internship at the University Clinic. The
program is offered at the Université du Québec in Trois-Rivières
and in Toronto at the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College.
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Main
causes of subluxation:
The most common causes of subluxation are stress , repetitive motion, improper lifting,accidents and trauma, pregnancy, delivery, birth trauma and bad posture. Everyday activities do put a toll on our body!!
Main Reasons to Consult
-Headache, Migraines
-Neck problems
-Back problems
-Sciatica
-Pregnancy pains
-Bursitis, tendonitis
-Scoliosis
-Otitis
-Herniated discs
-Etc...
What
is a treatment?
The
goal of a chiropractic treatment is to reduce interference caused
by subluxation. The chiropractor is well equipped with different
tools to successfully render a very gentle treatment. Usually
the doctor will use their hands to perform an adjustment. This
type of specific manipulation promotes joint mobility and reduces
inflammation. It also causes the brain to secrete endorphins to
help reduce inflammation and breaks adhesions in the muscles spasms
that surround the vertebra that is not moving well. The chiropractor uses different techniques
customized to the individual. If you have any questions regarding
treatment please feel free to contact me.
What
causes the popping sound?
Every
joint is lubricated by synovial fluid that allows it to move freely.
When a joint is not moving for a length of time, the liquid comes
under pressure. The noise that occurs during the adjustment is
nothing more than synovial liquid being transformed into CO2 or
carbon dioxide gas – similar to the process that occurs when you
open a bottle of champagne, when we move these liquids within the joint. The release of pressure makes the
popping sound. It is not your bones or joints cracking!
Although
the popping also occurs when the low back is adjusted, it seems
louder in the neck because the ears amplify sound. Remember, however,
that this is not a sign of the quality of the treatment -- joint
mobility can be restored without any noticeable sound.
Lalanne et al. JMPT 2009
Chiropractic
is safe and effective!
Because
each treatment is based on the individual’s needs and the proper
techniques are only performed after a complete examination and
health history, specific chiropractic adjustments are very safe
and provide immediate health benefits.
Six
separate government research studies conducted in several countries
have confirmed that chiropractic manipulation is one of the safest
and most effective treatments. It has been estimated that
about 840 000 Quebecers use chiropractic every year. An ECHO Sondage
concluded that 93% of patients found chiropractic care effective
and 95% said they would recommend their chiropractor to a friend
or family member.
Chiropractic
is more than just treating back pain – treatment helps your body
get closer to optimal health and improves quality of life. Many
parents are realizing that their children are healthier and happier
with chiropractic care.
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Your
first visit
1-Greeting
When
you arrive at the clinic you will be greeted by my staff and asked
to fill out a questionnaire. To save time on your first visit,
we have provided the our questionnaires below for you to complete
ahead of time.
form
for pregnant patients
form
for pediatric patients
form
for adults
2-Brief History
I
will then take you to the consultation room to discuss your case,
what brings you to the clinic, and your complete health history.
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3-Examination
The
three-part examination consists of a chiropractic exam to evaluate
your posture, and examine your spine and joints, as well as an
orthopaedic examination and a neurological examination
in which I will check your range of motion, reflexes, sensations
and motor functions. I will then determine if X-rays will be necessary in order to treat you.
4-Report of Findings
Finally,
I will give you a full report of my findings, explaining where
the subluxations have occurred and their impact on your health.
After everything is reviewed we will proceed to your first treatment.
Chiropractic
for kids 
Many
parents do not yet realize the importance of treating their children.
Children’s spines and nervous systems undergo stress too and need
to be cared for just as much as adults’.
The
normal birthing process puts tremendous stress on a newborn’s
spine, especially at the neck. This pressure can then affect the
first vertebra and cause a subluxation. If the subluxation remains
uncorrected, the child will grow with these imbalances and will
express symptoms later on.
Even
if your child is not affected during the birthing process, he
or she may acquire subluxations later on. Remember that the main
cause of subluxation is physical trauma. Look at how many times
a child falls on his or her bum in a single day – this is considered
a physical trauma to the spine.
In
their first year of life, a baby’s spine will grow 50%. During
this period of rapid growth, the spine can be affected by many
factors and should be checked often. Regular visits ensure that
your child’s spine will grow properly.
Children
usually do not express much back pain but this does not mean that
the spine is free of subluxation. Often, children will show visceral
symptoms such as frequent colds, ear infections, asthma, and difficulty
to breastfeed, among many others. These are signs that the nervous
system and the immune system are not functioning at 100%.
By having your children treated and avoiding unnecessary medication,
you will be allowing your child to grow to their potential.
Every
chiropractor can treat children; however, there are chiropractors
who are participating in continuing education in the field of
pediatrics. Look for doctors who have pediatric chiropractic qualifications
to treat your family. Preventative chiropractic is just as important
as a visit to the dentist – you wouldn’t wait until your child
had cavities to have their teeth examined, and the same principle
applies to the spine and nervous system. Prevention is key!!!
Chiropractic
and pregnancy
Regular
chiropractic care during pregnancy can help you achieve a decreased
labour time!
During
pregnancy, a woman’s body undergoes numerous changes. As her belly
grows, the curves of the spine change to compensate for the weight
out front, often creating some discomfort to the mother-to-be.
By having gentle chiropractic treatment, mom will feel a lot more
comfortable and may even find her pregnancy more enjoyable.
The
goal of treatment during pregnancy is to ensure that the baby
will be optimally positioned for birth, and that the pelvic joints
are functioning and moving properly. If the baby is well positioned
during gestation, congenital torticollis can be prevented and
thus reduce problems associated with breastfeeding.
By
adjusting during pregnancy, chiropractors are also able to help
turn breech babies. Chiropractors never touch or physically manoeuvre
the baby but instead, through the chiropractic adjustment, balance
the mother’s pelvis and relieve torsion in the uterus. This gives
the baby more room to turn on their own. This technique
is very safe and gentle and has had effective results for breech
babies.
Chiropractic
is an essential addition to the expectant mother’s health team,
helping her to achieve a beautiful and natural birth, as well
as a pleasant breastfeeding experience.
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