Will my insurance cover chiropractic treatment?
Most federal government departments (such as the RCMP and Veteran’s Affairs) cover chiropractic services. Also, all workers’ compensation boards and most employer and other third party insurance plans cover chiropractic services. The following information pertains to insurance coverage in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, which has been taken from this page.
MCP
Currently there is no MCP coverage for chiropractic treatments. X-rays ordered by your chiropractor are taken at local hospitals and are covered by MCP.
Workplace Health, Safety & Compensation Commission (WHSCC)
WHSCC provides chiropractic treatment for injured workers. Workers with new injuries (within 90 days of date of injury) can begin treatment without pre-approval from WHSCC. Workers with older injuries (greater than 90 days) can be assessed by a chiropractor, but approval must be obtained from WHSCC before treatment begins. Chiropractors are an important part of your recovery and are involved in early and safe return to work. Contact a local chiropractor or your case manager for more information.
Health Insurance Coverage
Most extended health insurances (Blue Cross, Great West Life, Desjardins etc…) have limited coverage for chiropractic examination and treatments. Check with your carrier for more information.
Motor Vehicle Accidents (MVA)
Section B of motor vehicle policies covers the cost of chiropractic treatment for injuries as the result of a MVA.
Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA)
The DVA recognizes the important role chiropractors play health care and provides coverage for chiropractic treatment for veterans. Contact the DVA or local chiropractic clinic for more information.
Why is there a popping sound when a joint is adjusted?
When an adjustment is delivered to a joint, there is a brief expansion of the volume of this closed-volume space. The negative pressure created, briefly, by this procedure can result in the formation of a nitrogen gas bubble from the synovial fluid that lubicates the joint/cartilage surface. The formation of this bubble produces the cracking noise. This is similar to what happens when a person “cracks” their knuckles. This nitrogen gas bubble resorbs into the synovial fluid within 15-20 minutes.
Does chiropractic treatment require x-rays?
X-rays can play an important role in diagnosis and are taken when a need has been determined after taking a patient case history and conducting a physical examination. Chiropractors receive 360 hours of education in radiology covering a full range of topics from protection to X-ray interpretation and diagnosis. Governments in every province have recognized the training and competence of chiropractors to take and interpret X-rays and have granted them this right.
Does chiropractic treatment require a referral from an MD?
No. A patient does not have to be referred. Chiropractors are legislated as primary contact health care professionals in every province in Canada. This means that patients can consult them directly.
Do chiropractors refer patients to medical doctors when necessary?
Yes, like medical doctors, chiropractors refer patients to other health professionals when they feel it is appropriate. Chiropractors are well trained to recognize risk factors as well as individual disease patterns and will not hesitate to make a referral when it is in the best interest of the patient’s health.
Can chiropractic treatment provide a preventative function?
Clinical experience suggests that individuals with chronic conditions such as degenerative joint disease (osteoarthritis) or recurrent neck pain, back pain or headaches may experience less frequent and less severe symptoms when under regular chiropractic care. This also applies to individuals in highly stressful situations and those who experience repetitive physical and postural strain from their daily activities. Whether ongoing chiropractic treatment can prevent back pain from occurring in the first place, or prevent a previous condition from re-occurring, requires further study.
Is every patient’s treatment the same?
The treatment a patient receives is related to the specific condition diagnosed by the chiropractor, and will vary from person to person depending on each person’s unique situation.
Is chiropractic treatment appropriate for children?
Yes, children may benefit from chiropractic care. Children are very physically active and experience many types of falls and blows from activities of daily living as well as from participating in sports. Injuries such as these may cause many symptoms including back and neck pain, stiffness, soreness or discomfort. Chiropractic care is always adapted to the individual patient. It is a highly skilled treatment, and in the case of children, very gentle.
While there is some clinical evidence that musculoskeletal treatment of infants may have positive effects, well-controlled studies are required to verify the benefits that are seen in clinical practice.
Is chiropractic regulated in Canada?
Like medicine and dentistry, chiropractic is a self-regulating profession, and each provincial chiropractic regulatory body has the authority to grant a license to practice chiropractic. There are Chiropractic Acts in all 10 provinces and the Yukon Territory that establish a self-regulatory process, which includes extensive testing for licensure. In all provinces, licensure requirements include university studies followed by graduation from an accredited chiropractic institution, and passing national and provincial board examinations.
Is chiropractic evidence-based?
Chiropractic is a healing discipline firmly grounded in science. Few other health care interventions have been assessed as extensively as chiropractic manipulation, both in terms of safety and effectiveness. There have been at least six formal government studies into chiropractic worldwide over the last 25 years and all have concluded that contemporary chiropractic care is effective, safe and cost-effective. They have also recommended public funding for chiropractic services. In addition, there have been countless scientific clinical studies assessing the appropriateness, effectiveness and/or cost-effectiveness of spinal manipulation or chiropractic manipulation, most notably for lower back pain. The Canadian Institutes for Health Research (CIHI) now offers research grants in partnership with the Canadian Chiropractic Association to chiropractors and other scientists for high quality, chiropractic research.
Is chiropractic manipulation a safe procedure?
Chiropractic adjustment or manipulation is a drug-free, non-invasive approach to common musculoskeletal conditions such as headache, and neck and back pain. As such, it is a low risk therapy. Complications arising from adjustment are rare.