What is chiropractic?
In the province of Quebec, future chiropractic doctors have to complete a five-year doctor of chiropractic undergraduate degree at Université du Québec à Trois-Rivière. This program is subject to quota and admission requirements that are similar to the ones applied in many other recognized health care professions ( eg. physiotherapy, dentistry and medicine). Students must then spend eighteen months in a university supervised clinical practice. Afterwards, they must register for strict national exams required by the Ordre des chiropracticiens du Québec.Only after having successfully passed these exams can chiropractic doctors accept and treat patients autonomously.
At the completion of their training, chiropractors have the necessary knowledge to make a chiropractic diagnosis. This allows them to create a specific and individualized care program based on the patient's physical condition, age and health goals.
Fields studied
In Quebec and Ontario, besides the chiropractic principles and clinical sciences related to the chiropractic diagnosis, future chiropractors also study the following disciplines:
- anatomy
- biochemistry
- physiology
- neurology
- embryology
- immunology
- microbiology
- pathology
- nutrition
- psychology
- etc.
Furthermore, training in radiology is particularly in-depth for chiropractic students. They go through a 360-hour course as well as a clinical internship. They study biophysics, radiation protection, x-ray taking, x-ray clinical interpretation to assist the clinical process and diagnosis.
Chiropractic is a full-fledge health science that focuses on the human body’s ability to stay healthy without having to take medications or undergo surgery. The health philosophy favored by chiropractors is based on the notion that each individual must take ownership of their well-being, by educating themselves and being proactive with their health and by taking preventive measures to achieve their goals.
The Science of Chiropractic
The human body shows phenomenal innate intelligence. The basic notions of chiropractic rely on effective systemic communication which allows the body’s nerve impulse to circulate and hence control and properly feed each and every cell, tissue and system of the body to ensure its balance. Disruptions to the nervous system, that will alter the balance, or homeostasis, may cause health problems. Supported by clinical studies and scientific research, chiropractic uses in-depth knowledge of the human body’s anatomy, physiology and neurology to maximise the patient’s health potential.
The Art of Chiropractic
One of the major causes of a disturbance to the nervous system is the misalignment and lack of mobility of one or many vertebrae in the spinal column, a condition called vertebral subluxation. The art of chiropractic refers to the various techniques used by the doctor of chiropractic to restore mobility and proper joint function and therefore relieve pressure on and irritation to the nervous system. Restoring joint mobility allows the body to get back to its normal working state. Adjustments made by chiropractors to correct vertebral subluxations require great dexterity as well as thorough knowledge of human anatomy.
Chiropractic can optimise neuromusculoskeletal system performances, making your physical and mental well-being a priority.
What are you waiting for? Schedule your appointment at the Centre Chiropratique St-Lazare right away!