Chiropractic is an evidence-based, non-invasive, hands-on health care discipline that focuses on the musculoskeletal system. Chiropractors provide diagnosis, treatment and preventive care for disorders related to the spine, pelvis, nervous system and joints. Chiropractors use a combination of treatments, depending on specific needs of the individual patient. After taking a history, performing an examination and establishing a diagnosis, a chiropractor can develop and carry out a comprehensive treatment/management plan, recommend therapeutic exercise and other non-invasive therapies, and provide nutritional, dietary and lifestyle counselling. One of the most common therapies a chiropractor uses is spinal manipulative therapy (SMT). Specific training in SMT allows chiropractors to provide highly-skilled and precise manipulation to the joints of the spine, which is effective at correcting joint motion to restore proper movement, relieve pain and improve function.
