Why would I see a chiropractor?

• Chiropractic is evidenced-based, safe, and effective care.

• As a chiropractor Dr. Williams is a doctor who specialize in assessing, diagnosing, and treating the neuromusculoskeletal system (nerves, muscles, and joints). ­­­­­­

• Dr. Williams’ treatment plans are personalized and individual to each patient, depending on their history, presentation, needs, and preference.

• Her adjustments are gentle, non-invasive, and precise procedures that assist with reducing pain and restoring correct motion, function, and innervation to all systems of the body.

• Please read what her patients have to say about her here <insert link to Review page – when there is one!>

 

What does Dr. Williams treat?

• Some of the common reasons our patients come to Alinio:

• General health and well being

• Postural support and alignment

• Pregnancy support

• Newborn assessment and/or concerns

• Back pain

• Neck pain

• Headaches and migraines

• TMJ pain or dysfunction

• Whiplash and auto accident injuries

• Workplace injuries

• Sports injuries

• Repetitive strain injuries – e.g., tennis elbow, plantar fasciitis, bursitis

• Sprains and strains

• Carpel Tunnel Syndrome

• Arthritis pain

 

What will happen at my first visit to Alinio?

• At Alinio we will send you a health intake form prior to your first visit. The more information you can give us on this form the more efficient your first visit will be.

• At your first visit Dr. Williams will take your full health history – this involves a review of your intake information and then specific, targeted questions about the reasons for your visit and your general health.

• Then she will do a physical exam that usual consists of general or joint specific movements (range of motion testing), palpation (feeling the area of concern and other areas of the spine and/or other joints and muscles), other tests – these can include specific testing of a joint to determine what’s causing pain or some nerve testing etc.

• Following the history taking and physical exam Dr. Williams will give you a diagnosis, recommend a course of treatment and discuss the pros, cons, and alternatives to this treatment as well as any potential risks. She will also discuss your consent to this treatment based on the above. If you consent, you will sign a standard “Consent to Chiropractic Treatment” form.

• If you choose to follow the recommended course of treatment, you will receive your first treatment session at this appointment.

• Dr. Williams will then recommend any required active or at-home care (this can include treatments such as ice/heat or exercises or stretches or recommendations about returning to activity) and a date for your return visit.

• You are encouraged to ask questions at any time during your visit– but always at the end there is a chance to review and ask any further questions before you leave.

 

What will happen at follow up visits?

• Dr. Williams will review any changes since your last visit or any new concerns.

• You will receive your next treatment. This could look and feel the same as your first visit or Dr. Williams might make alterations to the treatment depending on your progress or changes.

• Again, you are welcome to ask questions at any time and Dr. Williams will recommend any at-home care and date to return.

 

What does a treatment consist of?

• Every treatment is different depending on the original complaint, the patient’s history, age, activity level etc.

• Treatments might differ from one visit to the next depending on your progress.

• The primary treatment that Dr. Williams uses is called an adjustment:

  • Chiropractic adjustments are gentle, non-invasive, and precise procedures that assist with reducing pain and restoring correct motion, function, and innervation to all systems of the body.

  • They usually involve a quick, light thrust to a joint to encourage movement.

  • Adjustments can be manual (by hand), or instrument assisted – Dr. Williams uses both and will discuss the reasons for one or the other and make recommendations depending upon your presentation and your preference.

• Dr. Williams also uses adjunct therapies or modalities depending on the situation, these include:

  • Heat/Ice

  • Vibration

  • Microcurrent electrical stimulation

  • Mobilization

  • Soft tissue therapy

 

Will it hurt?

• Most patients do not feel any pain from an adjustment, just relief.

• Dr. Williams works gently, quickly, and precisely to minimize any discomfort from an adjustment.

• However, if a joint has been restricted for a long time (chronic injury) or there is inflammation in the area, there may be a sharp sensation as the joint moves again. This is usually very minor and immediate and does not linger.

• Dr. Williams will review with you any situations when it might be anticipated that you could experience more discomfort than usual with treatment and advise you accordingly.

 

What is the “cracking” sound?

• A joint is a sealed space full of liquid and gasses.

• When we move that joint (the adjustment), there is a change of pressure in the sealed space and that pressure change causes gasses that were dissolved in the liquid to “pop” into the air space of the joint – think of opening a bottle of champagne or a can of bubbly water!

• That gas exchange creates the “pop” you hear when you get adjusted (or crack your own knuckles).

• There is no solid tissue that is being “cracked” – bones, cartilage etc. – just air escaping into the joint space.

 

How old do you have to be to get an adjustment?

• Dr. Williams has patients who are 1 day old and 90 years old!

• Reasons for seeking treatment will differ immensely depending on age - and the treatment is also significantly different.

• As babies’ joints are not fully formed, “adjusting” babies and children looks, feels, and sounds very different than teens and adults.

• As older patients are often dealing with bone density loss and/or mobility decrease they too are frequently adjusted using alternative methods.

 

How much does it cost?

• Every chiropractic clinic sets their own rates within a recommended scale.

• For Alinio’s current rates, see our Fee Schedule

 

How often will I need to see Dr. Williams?

• This will depend on your history, reasons for attending the clinic and progress.

• Dr. Williams will discuss your treatment plan and recommendations at your first and return visits.

• Most frequently patients attend more frequently early on to maximize the positive effects of the treatment. Then treatment frequency is decreased as progress is made.

 

Will I have to keep going for the rest of my life?

• Most people first attend a chiropractor’s office because of a specific concern. Once that concern has been resolved you have a choice to end care or continue with “maintenance” care.

• Through the course of chiropractic treatment most patients discover that regular adjustments allow them to move better and that being well aligned can help with improved sleep, digestion, activity, and other daily health goals.

• As a result, Dr. Williams will often recommend that patients keep up maintenance visits, usually once a month. But this course of treatment is entirely the patient’s choice and can be discussed with Dr. Williams at any time.

 

What happens if chiropractic can’t help me?

• Whilst chiropractic is a highly effective treatment option for many conditions, it is not the answer to everything.

• Dr. Williams works closely with a team of other practitioners, both at Alinio and in independent practices, to whom she will refer you if necessary.

• If you already have a team of practitioners that work with you, Dr. Williams is always open to new collaborations and communications.

• Some medical conditions are outside of the scope of practice of chiropractic (i.e., they do not fall under the neuromusculoskeletal systems of the body). In these cases, Dr. Williams will recommend that you return to your medical doctor for further follow up.

 

Why are chiropractors called Doctors?

• Only specific health professionals are authorized by Canadian and Albertan health care legislation to use the title of doctor.

• Canadian health care legislation recognizes chiropractors as doctors and under the Alberta Health Professionals Act chiropractors are recognized and regulated in the same way as medical doctors, nurses, dentists, and optometrists.

 

Are chiropractors regulated?

• Yes. In Alberta chiropractors are recognized under the Alberta Health Professionals Act and regulated in the same way as medical doctors, nurses, dentists, and optometrists.

• Being regulated means that chiropractors in Alberta must obey all legislative requirements set by the government for all health care providers.

• In Alberta, the Health Professions Act ensures all regulated health care providers:

  • Are educated and trained to national standards.

  • Practice within a defined scope of practice.

  • Adhere to strict Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics.

  • Hold liability protection/coverage.

  • Meet continuing competency standards.

  • Are accountable to a regulatory organization.

• The Alberta College of Chiropractors is entrusted with administering the requirements set by government in the Health Professions Act (legislation) for all chiropractors.

 

How much education does a chiropractor have?

• In Canada, chiropractors must:

  • Complete at least seven years of post-secondary education, including a four-year academic program at an accredited chiropractic college.

  • Treat patients in a supervised clinic setting during their final two years of education.

• Additionally, to be a chiropractor in Alberta, doctors must:

  • Pass national clinical competency examination (Board exams).

  • Maintain 25 hours a year of professional competency through approved seminars and courses.

 

Is chiropractic covered by my insurance?

• Many third-party benefit packages (insurance coverage) include chiropractic care. Sometimes this is a stand-alone amount, sometimes it is a combined amount with other modalities such as physiotherapy or massage.

• Many employers also offer a “health spending account” which can be billed for your chiropractic care.

• At Alinio we direct bill through most insurance companies to facilitate your fee payment. If your insurer allows direct billing, you are only responsible for any remaining co-pay amount in the event your policy doesn’t cover the full amount or has run out for the current period.

• Every policy is different (sometimes even with the same employer or insurer), and it is the patient’s responsibility to understand whether your coverage includes chiropractic care and, if so, for how much.