When do you need a chiropractor? If you’ve got back pain from sitting all day at work, neck pain from sleeping the wrong way or chronic issues that never seems to go away. If you’ve been injured in a car accident (ICBC) or have suffered a sports-related or work injury (WSB), a chiropractor can be a great first step in relieving your pain and discomfort.
What Do Chiropractors in Victoria BC Do?
A chiropractor is a primary care health care professional specializing in relieving back, neck, and soft tissue pain primarily through manual (hands-on) manipulation of the body’s musculoskeletal structure (bones, muscles, nerve, joints etc).
Chiropractors combine spinal manipulation techniques with, soft tissue therapy, rehabilitation exercises, and more to provide pain relief, proper movement and optimal function for their patients. Chiropractors help find the cause of your pain by looking at your joints, muscles, ligaments, tendons and bones.
Chiropractic procedures are typically intended to provide fast pain relief for muscles, joints, bones and connective tissues (cartilage, ligaments and tendons). The goal being to make sure that pain doesn’t return and optimizing a patient’s function through movement. Many people view seeing a chiropractor as a welcome alternative to taking pharmaceutical drugs or undergoing invasive surgeries.
Chiropractors in Victoria BC
While there is evidence to suggest that some chiropractic techniques have been around since the time of the ancient Greeks, chiropractic care was founded in 1895 by D.D. Palmer, said to be the discoverer of chiropractic methods and the founder of the chiropractic profession. Like most medical professions, the chiropractic profession has grown and evolved from its initial roots to provide scientific, evidence-based care to patients. Within North America, chiropractors have become the third largest group of health care professionals (after physicians and dentists) who have primary contact with patients.
Chiropractic Myths
You might have heard some of these common myths associated with chiropractic care:
“Chiropractors only treat back injuries.”
Yes, chiropractors help back pain, but they also treat all types of pain including neck, shoulder, hip, headaches, TMJ, knee, ankle, sport injuries, pinched nerves and for all-around healthy lifestyle.
“Chiropractors aren’t real doctors.”
Chiropractic is a comprehensive doctoral degree at accreditation institutions in Canada. All chiropractors have a minimum of 3 years of graduate school, and 4 years of chiropractic school. Chiropractors are highly trained, licensed medical professionals. To become a registered chiropractor in Canada, an individual must complete the Doctor of Chiropractic degree program, which is a four-year graduate degree program that follows an undergraduate degree. A chiropractor’s education doesn’t stop there, however, as they can continue to take additional training to enhance and expand their skills and/or work closely with other medical professionals to ensure their patients get the best treatment. Dr. Mike Hadbavny holds a chiropractic fellowship in sports sciences meaning he has an additional 5 years of post-graduate training, and extensive experience with complicated injury and sports injury
“Chiropractic is not safe.”
Chiropractic is just as safe as going to your family doctor or any healthcare professional. With a minimum of 8 years of training, you can rest assured that your chiropractor knows what they’re doing. Not only is chiropractic safe but it can also be more affordable than going the route of surgery or prescription drugs as ongoing care can prevent more expensive problems down the road. Also, most extended medical plans cover chiropractic appointments.
“Spinal manipulations is going to hurt too much.”
Spinal manipulation is almost always pain-free. In fact, they often provide immediate pain relief. This myth that treatments are painful likely comes from concerns over the popping sounds that often occur during adjustments, which are normal. This is just gas escaping from the joint. Sometimes, however, before an injury gets better, a patient might feel it getting worse as your body is adjusting to the chiropractic changes. I hope after discussing these myths, you’ll visit a chiropractor in Victoria BC to help you with your current condition.
When to See your Victoria BC Chiropractor?
Seeing a chiropractor is often recommended as the first step in the healing process to get you moving and feeling better. People experiencing dull or sudden muscle strain, headaches, or pain in their neck, arms, and legs, often start by seeing a chiropractor to diagnose and treat their issue so they can get back to doing what they enjoy.
Health conditions a chiropractor in Victoria BC can help treat:
Chiropractic Care for Headaches
Headaches are a common condition that affects many people. Chiropractic treatments, especially spinal manipulation, can be effective in treating tension headaches and cervicogenic headaches that originate in the neck muscles or cervical spine. Studies have also shown that chiropractic treatments can also lessen the frequency and intensity of migraines. If you’re tired of treating your headaches as they are occurring, a chiropractor in Victoria BC can help determine where the issue is originating from, so you can prevent them from happening in the first place.
Chiropractic Care for Neck Pain
A common chiropractic technique is spinal manipulation, which is intended to relieve pain and pressure for those suffering from neck pain, neck strain, and/or whiplash. Once the neck starts feeling better, it’s amazing what else starts feeling better too.
Although common, not all chiropractic visits involve neck adjustments as there are many technique options, such as exercises, and Active Release Therapy.
Chiropractic Treatment for Back Pain
Of all the various issues to see a chiropractor in Victoria BC back pain remains the most common. Back pain is one of the leading preventable causes of disability around the world. Back pain is considered a musculoskeletal (MSK) condition that ranges from mild to severe – from dull to sharp to throbbing. A chiropractor has a range of treatment techniques to help relieve your back pain, including specific exercises, spinal adjustments (manipulations), Active Release Therapy, Graston, flexion distraction and laser therapy.
Chiropractic Treatment for Sciatica
The sciatic nerve is a nerve one that runs from your lower spine down into your legs. When it gets pinched or compressed, the pain can be debilitating and cause a symptom called “sciatica”. Sciatica has become somewhat of a buzz word as of late, many people self-diagnose themselves as having sciatica when in fact, it is something else that is causing the symptoms. Seeing a chiropractor in Victoria BC for your suspected sciatica will help you understand what might be causing it and also provide quick pain relief. Medicine can dull the pain but can’t do much to reduce the irritation on the nerve.
Chiropractic Care for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Chiropractic treatments can do so much more than help with neck and back pain. chiropractic care in Victoria BC is a common treatment for certain repetitive stress injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome or CTS. A chiropractor can diagnose where the pain is originating from. Often it’s nerves in the neck or under the arm getting irritated. After finding the source, chiropractors will provide the necessary manipulations, soft tissue release, and exercises to help alleviate your symptoms. Chiropractic care for carpal tunnel is often treated with a lot of rest for the affected arm, ice to reduce inflammation and exercises.
Chiropractic Care for TMJ / Jaw Pain
Jaw pain or TMJ which stands for Temporomandibular Joint. It’s the joint that attaches your jaw to your skull. If you’re experiencing TMJ pain, it will manifest itself through pain in your jaw as well as possibly as a clicking or popping sound when you open your mouth. As bad as the discomfort can be, fortunately, you can see a chiropractor for TMJ treatment in Victoria BC. Chiropractors are often able to release the muscles through something called Intraoral Active Release Therapy, accessing the joint from the inner side of a patient’s cheek.
Chiropractic Care for Sports Injuries
Dr. Mike Hadbavny has a passion for sports! He treats a wide range of athletes from professional to amateur from all types of sports such as contact sports (football, rugby, hockey) to overhead sports (tennis, volleyball, badminton). Whether you're a professional athlete or a weekend warrior he can help you achieve your goals. He understands that with sports, especially fast collision sports, injuries are bound to happen. Injuries can happen when you least expect them, and due to an accident or even an underlying condition, you may require treatment from a chiropractor in Victoria BC. His experience in sports medicine and injuries allows him to provide thorough care and treatment for athletes here in Victoria BC.
To learn more about how a chiropractor can help you achieve your health and wellness goals, come and see Dr. Mike Hadbavny in Victoria BC. He is here to help you relieve your immediate pains and also to prevent new ones. You can contact him at his office in Victoria BC at 250-881-7881 or book online
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Dr. Mike Hadbavny
Victoria Sports Chiropractor FRCCSS(C)
If you are interested in learning more about how chiropractic care can be effective for your particular condition or health goals, contact Dr. Mike Hadbavny at 250-881-7881 today to make an appointment and discover the many benefits of seeing a chiropractor in Victoria BC. Contact us today.