Everything You Need To Know About Chiropractic Care

Jun 25, 2025

Chiropractic

It’s no surprise that many people in suffer from chronic discomfort in their necks, lower backs, or shoulders. Whether it’s long hours working at desks or on our feet, these various physical demands can gradually lead to a build-up of bony or soft tissue wear and tear that eventually becomes painful.

Chiropractic is a non-invasive, hands-on, regulated health care profession focused on the intricate relationship between your spine, muscles, joints, and nervous system. It operates on the principle that proper alignment of the body’s musculoskeletal structure, particularly the spine, enables the body to heal itself and function optimally. Chiropractic care has provided significant relief and improved quality of life for millions of people worldwide who suffer from chronic pain and various other conditions.

At MSK Clinics, our chiropractors in Vancouver & Burnaby employ a diverse range of evidence-based techniques tailored to your specific condition and needs. These may include:

• Spinal Manipulation (Adjustments): Precise, controlled movements applied to spinal joints to restore proper motion, reduce nerve irritation, and alleviate pain. This is the cornerstone of chiropractic care.
• Myofascial Therapy: Techniques aimed at releasing tension and restrictions in the fascia, the connective tissue that surrounds muscles, to improve flexibility and reduce pain.
• Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization: Using specialized tools to address scar tissue and fascial restrictions in muscles, tendons, and ligaments.
• Stretching and Exercise Prescription: Customized programs to improve flexibility, strengthen supporting muscles, and enhance overall stability.
• Lifestyle and Ergonomic Counseling: Guidance on posture, workstation setup, movement patterns, and other daily habits to prevent re-injury and promote long-term well-being.

The advantages of chiropractic therapy extend far beyond pain reduction, addressing the root causes of dysfunction to promote holistic health.

Ready to explore how chiropractic care can help you move and feel better? Book an appointment with MSK today and take the first step towards a pain-free, active life!

Chiropractic Therapy: A Deeper Look

Chiropractic therapy takes a conservative approach to promoting health, often integrating lifestyle changes and targeted exercise. Its primary aim is to alleviate pain and dysfunction by optimizing the function of your musculoskeletal and nervous systems. While most commonly known for treating back or neck pain, it can also be highly effective for headaches, arm or leg discomfort, and a variety of other issues.

Many chiropractors, including our team at MSK Clinics, have further training in physical rehabilitation and exercise prescription. This ensures a comprehensive approach that not only addresses your current pain but also empowers you with the tools to maintain your health and prevent future problems.

7 Conditions Effectively Treated by a Chiropractor

1. Lower Back Pain: One of the most common reasons individuals visit a chiropractor. Lumbar spinal manipulation is a well-researched intervention that aims to restore proper movement to stiff or dysfunctional joints in the lower back, reducing muscle tension and nerve irritation that contribute to pain.
2. Neck Pain: Chiropractic adjustments to the cervical (neck) spine, often combined with exercises and myofascial massage, can significantly alleviate neck discomfort. For many, this approach has proven more effective than pain medication by addressing mechanical dysfunctions that cause the pain.
3. Tension Headaches: These prevalent headaches are often caused by sustained muscle tension in the back of your head and neck, frequently associated with stress and poor posture. Chiropractic adjustments to your neck work to release this muscle tension and improve cervical spine alignment, which can lead to a significant reduction in headache frequency and intensity.
4. Migraine Headaches: While the exact mechanism is still being studied, chiropractic spinal adjustments have been found to reduce migraine frequency, discomfort, and the requirement for migraine medication in many patients. Researchers suggest that by improving nervous system function and reducing overall musculoskeletal stress and tension, chiropractic therapy may minimize the impact of migraines. Your chiropractor at MSK can also provide nutritional counseling and suggest dietary adjustments, as certain foods may act as migraine triggers.
5. Whiplash: An injury often sustained in automobile collisions, whiplash results from a rapid forceful back-and-forth movement of the neck, leading to neck pain, stiffness, and sometimes dizziness or nausea. Chiropractic treatment is a highly effective approach, focusing on gently restoring motion to affected cervical joints, reducing muscle spasms, and facilitating soft tissue healing. Your chiropractor will also instruct you on home exercises, stretching, and the appropriate use of heat or ice to manage symptoms and promote recovery.
6. Sacroiliac (SI) Pain: The SI joint is a large joint located near the base of your spine, connecting your pelvis to your sacrum. Dysfunction in this joint can cause a distinct type of low back pain, often felt in your buttocks or the back of your leg. Chiropractors use specific chiropractic adjustments to address SI joint dysfunction and restore proper movement. We can also instruct you on how to prevent putting undue tension on your SI joint and recommend core strengthening exercises to support this crucial area.
7. Shoulder Pain: While often associated with back and neck issues, chiropractors are highly skilled in evaluating, diagnosing, and treating a wide range of shoulder pain and dysfunction. By addressing joint restrictions, muscle imbalances, and nerve involvement in the neck and upper back that can refer pain to the shoulder, a tailored treatment plan can help you regain mobility and reduce discomfort.

Signs You Should See a Chiropractor

Beyond specific conditions, your body often gives subtle (or not-so-subtle) clues that it could benefit from chiropractic care. Here are 7 signs it might be time to see a chiropractor:

1. You have a limited range of motion. If you find it difficult to turn your head, bend, or lift your arms fully, joint restrictions could be the cause.
2. You suffer from frequent headaches. Persistent tension headaches or migraines can often be linked to spinal misalignment and muscle tension in the neck and upper back.
3. You experience chronic pain in your joints or muscles. Ongoing aches that don’t resolve on their own can indicate underlying musculoskeletal dysfunction.
4. You are healing from a recent accident. Even minor accidents can cause subtle misalignments or soft tissue injuries that benefit from early chiropractic intervention.
5. You have numbness and tingling in your arms or legs. This can be a sign of nerve irritation or compression originating from the spine.
6. You recently experienced whiplash. Even if pain is delayed, whiplash injuries should be assessed to prevent long-term complications.
7. You want to prevent the problems above! Chiropractic care isn’t just for pain relief; it’s a proactive approach to maintaining spinal health, improving posture, and enhancing overall well-being, helping you stay active and pain-free for years to come.

MSK Clinics in Vancouver & Burnaby

At MSK Clinics in Vancouver Downtown, Kitsilano, and Metrotown Burnaby, we pride ourselves on an evidence-based approach to health and wellness. Our mission is to provide an effective way for patients to achieve their objectives, whether it’s living a pain-free life, recovering from an injury, or simply maintaining a healthy, active lifestyle.

When you’re ready to come in, our highly skilled and compassionate chiropractors will conduct a thorough assessment and create a personalized treatment plan for you. We utilize non-invasive methods to stabilize injuries, relieve pain, promote natural healing, and significantly limit the risk of future damage.

Book your appointment with MSK Clinics today and experience the difference of comprehensive, patient-centered chiropractic care.