Dr. MacAulay brings an integrative understanding of the effects of mind and body on our overall health and is committed to providing gentle, effective chiropractic care for the whole family.
What is Chiropractic Care?
Doctors of chiropractic, called ‘chiropractors’ are spine, muscle, joint and related nervous system experts. Every chiropractor receives at least seven years of post-secondary academic and clinical education. They are trained in how to evaluate, diagnose, recommend, and deliver a treatment plan that manages issues within these systems, according to your preferences. A chiropractor’s education also includes courses in radiology, pain management, prescribed exercise, rehabilitation and physical therapy, and nutrition among others.
Based on the best available evidence, combined with their clinical expertise, your chiropractor will then work with you to determine the best treatment to relieve your pain. They will also help prevent it from returning and restore your mobility.
Some of the conditions chiropractors treat include:
Chiropractors use various treatments depending on their patient’s specific needs and preferences. Common treatments include:
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Manual, ‘hands-on’ therapy
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Soft tissue therapy
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Electronic modalities, such as therapeutic ultrasound and cold laser therapy
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Customized, therapeutic exercise programs
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Self-management tools and techniques (like positions for relief or coping strategies for pain)
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Advice and education
One of the most frequent treatments a chiropractor uses is manual manipulation of the vertebrae of your spine or other joints, which is called an ‘adjustment.’ To perform an adjustment, your chiropractor will use their hands to apply controlled force to your joint and guide it through a range of motion. This action restores your joint’s natural movement and improves its function. When applied to your spine, this treatment is called spinal manipulation therapy (SMT). Manipulation is also used on other joints, such as those in your wrist, ankle or foot, as an effective treatment.
After a first appointment to assess your condition, your chiropractor will use their clinical expertise and the best available evidence to make a diagnosis and recommend treatment options for you.
Chiropractic care is the primary method of treatment for many medical conditions, such as low back pain. For other conditions, such as pain associated with arthritis, diabetes or osteoporosis, chiropractors and other health professionals recommend an interprofessional approach. So in these situations, your chiropractor will coordinate with other health care professionals in your circle of care to support your overall treatment. Working with this team, they will provide chiropractic care to relieve your spine, muscle or joint pain.
