FAQ

Below you will find some of the most frequently asked questions about Chiropractic, Osteopathic and Naturopathic care. For more, please visit our Services page to find more information on each practice.

If you have any additional questions please feel free to email us at info@familychiro.com

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a referral to see a chiropractor, osteopath or naturopath?

You do not - Chiropractors, Osteopaths and Naturopaths are primary care providers, just like medical doctors. Our practice is based on over 90% word-of-mouth referrals from our existing patients, which we feel speaks volumes about the results we get.



Do chiropractic adjustments hurt and are they safe?

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. Spinal adjustments are extremely safe when performed by a licensed chiropractor.



Once I go, do I have to continue going forever?

Of course not! However long you decide to benefit from the appointments is always up to you. Many patients decide to use these services as part of their family’s wellness strategy to stay well long term, but that is always the patient’s decision.



Why do adjustments sometimes make a popping sound?

The noises you hear resembling popping sounds are your joints releasing tiny pockets of air. A chiropractic adjustment does not affect the bones of either side of a joint; it affects the connective tissue that holds the joint together.



Are all patients adjusted the same way?

Each patient’s care is unique and therefore customized to meet their specific condition and needs. Your chiropractor will modify adjustments based on your size, weight, age and health condition.



Is Osteopathy Like Chiropractic?

No, Osteopathic Manual Therapy is not like Chiropractic. Although Osteopathy is adjustive in nature; an Osteopathic Manual Practitioner who is trained in a classical sense does not focus their attention on subluxations like most Chiropractors, but rather treats the whole body in an integrative fashion.



How many osteopathic treatments will it take for me to feel relief?

On average, three or four treatments over two months are needed before actually feeling better. And although after the first treatment you may feel greatly relieved, it is important to understand that the osteopath practitioner needs to deliver at least two treatments in order to provide wellbeing that will last over time, especially if you have never been treated with osteopathy. For patients who experience chronic pain for many years, a long term follow-up may be required. In these cases, one visit per month is recommended to the patient, or as appropriate.



Is osteopathy treament painful?

In general, no. There may be some mild aching or a slightly "bruised" feeling after treatment. Many patients feel freer and more comfortable almost immediately. If you feel worried or concerned about the body’s reaction to your treatment then you should call the practice and ask to speak to one of the osteopaths on duty for advice and reassurance.



How does naturopathic medicine compare to conventional medicine?

Both are doctors, both provide primary care and both are similarly trained. The primary differences between naturopathic and conventional medicine are the philosophical approach and the therapies used. Naturopathic doctors (NDs) treat patients as individuals by addressing the physical, environmental, lifestyle, attitudinal, and emotional aspects of health. This allows naturopathic doctors to find and treat the cause of the disease using a variety of therapies. Conventional doctors generally address and treat the symptoms of disease and use pharmaceutical therapies or surgery.



What training do Naturopathic doctors have?

NDs obtain comprehensive and rigorous training in an educational structure quite similar to that of medical doctors. NDs require four years of post-secondary education including pre-med courses, plus four years of full-time graduate level study at an approved accredited college of naturopathic medicine. Upon graduating they must complete North American licensing board examinations in order to apply for a license to practice. In Ontario, this is with the Board of Directors of Drugless Therapy – Naturopathy.



Under what circumstances should I choose to see a naturopathic doctor?

1. You want a doctor who will treat all of you, not just your illness. Naturopathic doctors (NDs) are trained to treat the whole person. This requires taking the time to listen and understand the genetic, environmental, and behavioral/lifestyle factors that can affect your health. At your initial appointment, you’ll spend up to an hour or more talking with your ND. 2. You want personalized treatment. NDs understand there is no one-size-fits-all treatment that works for everybody. 3. You want to treat the root cause of an illness, not just the symptoms. Sometimes having trouble sleeping, aches and pains, strange or hard to treat skin rashes, and indigestion or stomach discomfort are symptoms of an underlying illness. While these symptoms can be managed, it’s more important to understand and treat the root cause—which is the focus of naturopathic medicine. 4. You want to actively participate in managing your own health. An ND will help you learn what your body needs to get well and stay healthy. 5. You have chronic pain and don’t want to use pharmaceutical drugs such as ibuprofen, acetaminophen, or highly addictive opioids to manage it forever.