1. Is chiropractic treatment similar to physiotherapy treatment (with respect to musculoskeletal injuries)?
2. How many treatments will I need?
3. Is chiropractic therapy covered by OHIP (Ontario Health Insurance Plan)?
4. Is chiropractic treatment covered by private insurance?
5. Does the WSIB (Workplace Safety and Insurance Board) cover chiropractic services?
6. I was recently involved in a motor-vehicle accident and now have neck and back pain. Will my auto-insurance carrier cover chiropractic treatment?
7. I recently hurt my lower back. Should I continue with my regular exercise routine?
8. I recently hurt by lower back. Should I have an x-ray taken?
9. Do I need a referral from an MD in order to see a chiropractor?

1. Is chiropractic treatment similar to physiotherapy treatment?

Based on my discussions with some physiotherapists and patients who have received physiotherapy treatments, it appears as if treatments can often be quite similar within both clinical environments.

2. How many treatments will I need?

At the start of the treatment plan, it often tends to be difficult to predict the number of treatments required. The answer to this question greatly depends on many variables, including condition/diagnosis, chronicity, age, and activities of daily living.

3. Is chiropractic treatment covered by OHIP (Ontario Health Insurance Plan)?

Chiropractic therapy services, along with other paramedical services, were delisted from OHIP in 2004. However, OHIP currently partially covers radiology (x-ray) requisitions by a chiropractor for which services are provided within either a medical or chiropractic diagnostic radiology facility. For this purpose, chiropractors currently have an OHIP number.

4. Is chiropractic treatment covered by private insurance?

As is the case with other paramedical professions, chiropractic treatment is covered by most private insurance plans.

5. Does the WSIB (Workplace Safety & Insurance Board) cover chiropractic services?

Pending the WSIB approves the claim for chiropractic care, the answer to this question is yes.

6. I was recently involved in a motor-vehicle accident and now have neck and back pain. Will my auto-insurance carrier cover chiropractic therapy?

Yes

In this case, the best approach is to contact your health-care provider (chiropractor, physiotherapist, medical physician) to discuss your exercise routine. Many exercises can actually exacerbate a problem. However, there are commonly utilized exercises which help facilitate recovery, providing they are properly performed and with appropriate frequency. Individualized exercise prescription is typically quite important in terms of recovery from musculoskeletal injuries.

8. I recently hurt by lower back. Should I have an x-ray taken?

There are certainly cases where various diagnostic tests are warranted. However, in many cases, results from diagnostic tests will not alter the plan of management. It is up to the discretion of the health-care provider to determine the best course of action at that time.

9. Do I need a referral from an MD in order to see a chiropractor?

The vast majority of patients seen in my office have been referred by a medical doctor. However, the answer to this question is no. Chiropractic is a primary-contact health care profession. Chiropractors along with medical doctors, dentists, psychologists, and optometrists have the legislated right and obligation to communicate a diagnosis and to use the title doctor. If a chiropractor diagnoses a problem which would be better treated by another health-care professional, he or she will make an appropriate referral.