Chiropractic FAQ

Here are a few answers to the most frequently asked questions received by Restoration Chiropractic. We hope these will be helpful to you, but if you have a question that is not answered here, please do not hesitate to call us. We will happily answer any question you may have about chiropractic care.

Q1 - Do I need a referral from my medical doctor in order to see a chiropractor?

No. Chiropractors are primary health care practitioners and can provide chiropractic services independently. This means you can set up an appointment with a chiropractor without a referral. However, your medical doctor may suggest that you see a chiropractor if he or she feels chiropractic care may help you.

Q2 - Could chiropractic care make my condition worse?

Chiropractic adjustments are safe and non-invasive. Adjustments will not usually injure as long as they are provided by a certified and qualified chiropractor. Complications from chiropractic care are extremely rare, when compared to complications that can occur from surgery or prescriptions.

Q3 - If I start chiropractic care, will I have to continue it for life?

Many people think that once chiropractic care starts, it has to continue. We do recommend that our patients keep ongoing appointments, however that is ultimately up to the patient. This ensures continual monitoring of their condition for stability and correction. Getting adjusted does not create a dependency for future adjustments. Some conditions can be successfully treated so that the patient does not need to continue with chiropractic adjustments. However most conditions, by their very nature, require ongoing care. In a similar analogy, people usually care for their teeth and their vehicles on an ongoing, proactive and preventative basis to ensure they have them for a long, long time. How much more important your spine, that houses your nervous system, that can not ever be replaced?! Patients return for adjustments because they don't want to revert back to the maladaptive patterns that have caused them pain, dysfunction and disease in the past. They become more "body aware" of proper alignment and enjoy how good they feel.

Q4 - I have had back surgery. Can I still benefit from chiropractic care?

Yes, you can. It is an unfortunate fact that many people who have undergone back surgery see returning symptoms of pain, reduced flexibility, numbness/tingling and weakness after just a few years post surgery. Chiropractic care is a safe and effective way to alleviate the symptoms associated with the stresses from back surgery.

Q5 - Is chiropractic care safe and beneficial for infants, children and teens?

Yes, it is. It is unfortunate that most children in our society grow to adulthood never receiving even one chiropractic adjustment! The consequence is they then become the adults in our society with pain and dysfunction and the need for more frequent chiropractic care. Our babies and children have the same nervous system as adults - common sense statement, for sure - and therefore are also in need of chiropractic care of their little spines. The adjustment itself and the frequency of visits are different compared to an adult, however. Being born can cause misalignments of the spine, thereby diminishing vital nervous system communication between the brain and the body. How can diminished communication manifest itself? Gas pains, constipation, headaches, head tilt, joint pains and growing pains. As children get older, misalignments can be caused by just growing and playing, as well as poor posture and participation in sports. It is important to understand it is possible for a child to also not have any symptoms of spinal misalignments and diminished nervous system communication for a time. How much more proactive and beneficial to deal with these before they become symptomatic issues?! Children are continually growing into their spinal alignment and their nervous system is trying very hard to keep them healthy. We are so honoured at Restoration Chiropractic when parents entrust to us the chiropractic care of their children.

Certified St. Albert, Edmonton Chiropractor

Restoration Chiropractic's experienced chiropractor, Dr. Kim Crickmay, has been helping patients in the St. Albert and surrounding areas over 15 years. "I understand how frustrating your symptoms can be and strive to offer each and every one of my patients personalized and attentive care." At Restoration Chiropractic, we strive to not only treat but also educate our patients about pain and pain management. You may not know that your constant headaches are a symptom of a neck strain, or your frequent knee pain is caused by a misaligned back. Many of our patients come in complaining of pain in one part of their body, only to find out it can be treated by working on a totally different area. A skilled chiropractor can even decrease or completely alleviate pain caused by arthritis, whiplash and other injuries. A chiropractor will also be able to counsel on the best pain management treatment for your unique situation. It is possible you may not have to resort to expensive pain killers prescribed elsewhere. If you have been through countless specialists and physiotherapists and see no improvement in your pain level or your overall quality of life, it may be time to call a professional chiropractor. Many patients have confided in us that they wished they had initially consulted with a chiropractor, thereby bypassing expensive appointments, hard to see specialists and questionable results.