The New Age Of Chiropractic Care

Dr. Steven Scappaticci, B.Sc. (Hons.), CSCS, DC, FRCms
 
            Gone should be the days of those stereotypical appointments. The appointments where the chiropractor walks-in, asks how you’re doing, “cracks your bones” from head to toe, and walks out within 2-3 minutes. Although there are some patients that may be fine with that, others feel that they are not getting the care they need or value for their money. I have found this out many times, somewhat anecdotally, when asking about a patient’s previous chiropractic experience.  
 
            Now we are seeing clinics that offer various lengths of appointments ranging from 15 minutes to 1 full hour. Of course the price changes with each increase in duration but let’s not forget that you are investing in your health, arguably the most important aspects of our lives.
 
            Historically, chiropractors have been seen as the healthcare professional to seek when one is experiencing neck or low back-pain. However chiropractors should not be limited to solely spinal complaints. With an extensive knowledge of the musculoskeletal (MSK) system, chiropractors treat essentially all joints and surrounding structures. Chiropractors are often seen as MSK specialists, so next time you sprain you ankle, don’t think that a chiropractor can’t help you.  
 
            Today’s graduates are applying a multimodal approach to care, which is great to see. Taking the previous framework of primarily adjusting and also incorporating modalities such as soft tissue therapy, acupuncture, laser therapy, and rehabilitation just to name a few. Similarly, less and less chiropractors are sending every patient for X-Rays or putting the patient on yearlong treatment plans.  
 
            It is these changes in patient treatments that improve the patient experience, the reputation of chiropractors, and in turn build and/or strengthen relationships with other health care professions such as medical doctors and physiotherapists. This may have had some influence on the increasing shift of chiropractors working in multidisciplinary settings.  
 
            I enjoy spending time with my patients. I feel it gives practitioners the opportunity to listen/learn from the patients and really hone in on an area or even target multiple areas/issues. It also allows for practitioners to use all the “tools in the toolbox” from soft tissue therapy to acupuncture, effectively implementing a multi-modal approach to care.
 
            My tip for you (the patient) is to ask as many questions as possible. Ask how the chiropractor treats and what services are offered. Do this to see if treatments meet your needs/expectations.
 
            In closing, chiropractic care is going in the right direction. Better treatment durations for patients, better utilization of treatment modalities, and less stereotypical “tactics” being used. All contributing to the most important factor – better patient outcomes!
 
Dr. Steven Scappaticci, B.Sc. (Hons.), CSCS, DC, FRCms is a chiropractor in St. Catharines, ON. He aims to implement a multi-modal, evidence-based, patient-centered approach to care. His goal is to work with you to get you feeling better and moving better. 
​