Chiropractic

Chiropractic is a complete system of healthcare focused on restoring, preserving, and optimizing health by natural hands-on care.

Where conventional or “allopathic” medicine focuses on curing illness through surgery and pharmaceuticals, the goal of chiropractic is to optimize health with a non-invasive approach that does not use drugs or surgery. Chiropractic’s primary avenue of care is adjustment of the spine and the framework of the body.

The spine is an important structure that houses and provides protection for the spinal cord, while providing mobility for the upper body. This dual requirement of strength and flexibility makes the spine a very complex structure, with multiple joints at each spinal segment (the vertebrae) forming the spinal column.

When these joints (also known as articulations) are not positioned or functioning normally, (subluxation), it can affect the nerves exiting the spine. Chiropractic care attends to irritations along the spine by manually repositioning these joints. This is a chiropractic “adjustment.”

The word “chiropractic” comes from the Greek words cheir (hand) and praxis (action), and simply means “done by hand.” Note that the word “chiropractic,” while a bit awkward, is the actual name of the profession. A chiropractor practices chiropractic.

Chiropractors like Dr. Bonnie Chuter and Dr. Dana Koren are licensed professionals who are trained to diagnose and appropriately care for or refer patients for the care they require. Accordingly, they continually assess their patients from dual perspectives, asking: What might I do for you, as well as, what might you also need today beyond my abilities?

Chiropractic patients often visit their chiropractor regularly to relieve stress and tension in their spine and nervous system – to get “adjusted.” Individuals also seek chiropractic care for back pain, headaches, joint pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, sprains, as well as non-musculoskeletal conditions. Many patients come in for regular, preventative wellness care at least monthly and bring in their families and children.

Due to its focused hands-on attention to the spine, the profession is often thought of by its tools and by its avenue of care. Chiropractic, however, is not just about manual care of the spine, although it has certainly built a reputation caring for that often troublesome piece of anatomy. In chiropractic, care of the spine and nervous system (which is of fundamental importance in human health) is the way to optimize the health of the whole human system and not just a means to relieve back complaints.

A basic philosophy of chiropractic is that the body naturally seeks the proper balance among all the systems of the body, and that these systems are meant to work together. A second basic principle is that proper structure is necessary for proper function. If a structure is impaired by injury or stress, its function can be adversely affected.

For example, when our spine (structure) is not positioned normally, it can irritate the nerves exiting the spine. And when spinal nerves are irritated, they don’t function normally and can affect the function of the tissues they interact with. This ” end-organ ” effect is the central interest in chiropractic care. The relief of localized discomfort at the point of irritation is also an objective of care.

Thus chiropractic focuses on the integrity of the spine and its surrounding tissues as a means to enhance normal human function and health.

At Richmond Family Chiropractic, our vision is that all human beings discover their full potential. Through world-class chiropractic care and an unparalleled commitment to patient satisfaction, we encourage your body’s optimal function.

From the moment we first meet and during each visit with Dr. Bonnie Chuter and Dr. Dana Koren, we’ll explain how chiropractic adjustments encourage your body’s innate healing ability. You’ll learn how certain lifestyle choices can support chiropractic adjustments and lead to an improvement in your overall health.

Chiropractic Evaluation: Day One

We value your time and work hard to keep your appointments brief and efficient, while still delivering the personal attention you deserve. Your new patient exam will take approximately 30 min. To expedite the process, we ask that you fill out your new patient forms online in advance and bring in your care card and drivers licence for identification.

At your first appointment, you’ll receive a thorough health assessment to determine how chiropractic care can help improve your health naturally, without drugs or surgery. After a quick tour of our office, we’ll take a detailed health history of both current and past health concerns. You’ll receive a comprehensive chiropractic examination, which may include orthopedic and neurological exams, and 3 computerized spinal nerve scans. Dr. Bonnie Chuter and Dr. Dana Koren will analyze the results of your diagnostic testing and examination and create a customized plan to help you achieve your specific health and wellness goals.

Your Report of Findings: Day Two

During your second visit, you’ll learn about subluxations – otherwise known as nerve interference – that can prevent the central nervous system from functioning optimally. Your chiropractor will explain the treatment plan created based on your examinations findings and your personal health –related goals. And finally, we’ll provide an estimate of the number of visits needed and explain the fees. We recommend having the support of your spouse or another family member to this appointment, which typically takes 20 min. The second visit is a very important one. A chiropractic adjustment will be explained to you and you will be adjusted. Lifestyle and exercise recommendations will be discussed. All your questions will be answered and you will be welcomed to our Family of Chiropractic Patients.

As defined by the World Chiropractic Alliance, the goal of the chiropractic adjustment is to correct spinal subluxations (misplacement of spinal vertebrae) by applying pressure to the bone to “unlock” it from its improper position. The role of a chiropractor is to “free-up” this misplacement while allowing the body’s innate intelligence to assist in the correction. The doctors go beyond the adjustment by focusing more on corrective treatment verses quick elimination of pain and discomfort. Dr. Bonnie Chuter and Dr. Dana Koren primarily use the Thompson Technique for adjusting the spine which involves using a drop table to assist the adjustment and allows better patient comfort. An adjustment doesn’t hurt! Dr. Chuter and Dr. Dana Koren also use manual and instrument adjusting techniques. The type of adjustment used depends upon patient preference, the age of the patient and the condition of the spine.

Infants can be treated for breastfeeding problems, reflux, colic, issues with crawling, standing or other movements. Children and adolescents can get relief from headaches, scoliosis, spinal misalignment, asthma, growing pains, constipation, urinary incontinence, digestive issues, and chronic pain issues.

To learn to be a chiropractor and practise in Canada, students must first complete at least seven years of post-secondary education, including more than 4,200 hours of specialized chiropractic training. Following this formal education, graduates must pass standardized regulatory exams and attain a license to practise in a Canadian province or territory.

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