EDMONTON CHIROPRACTOR : DR. RANDOLPH SWANSTON

WELCOMES YOU TO EDMONTON CHIROPRACTIC WELLNESS

Welcome, and thank you for visiting our Center. We really appreciate your choosing us. We want you to feel welcome and comfortable here. Please always feel free to give us your comments, and to ask questions. Always remember we are here to serve you.

Edmonton Chiropractic Wellness has one main purpose: To help you and your loved ones live healthy vibrant lives for the longest time possible. Although the ultimate aim of the center is to encourage a total lifestyle change which will give you maximum longevity and health, our primary emphasis at this stage is serving you through the science and art of Chiropractic.

To many people, Chiropractic is a new experience. If this is your first introduction to Chiropractic, we trust that this brief introduction will help you understand the importance of lifestyle in maintaining optimal health, and help you become more familiar with the benefits that Chiropractic care can bring to your long term health and vitality.

We strive for excellence in all areas. That is our pledge to you.

Click on the question or statement below to reveal the Dr. Swanston's response.

• Chiropractic: What is it?
• The history of Chiropractic
• Who visits the Wellness Center?
• What to Expect at The Wellness Center
• We need your help
• The training of a Chiropractor
• The rewards of Chiropractic

Our Responses to the most common questions on Chiropractic

• Is it true that when you go to a Chiropractor, you have to keep going back?
• But aren't all Chiropractors the same?
• Why don’t Medical Doctors recommend Chiropractors?
• What should I do if my Medical Doctor tells me not to see a Chiropractor?
• My friend said he went to see a Chiropractor and got worse. He said he would never again go to a Chiropractor.
• I go to the Chiropractor only when it hurts, and I cannot stand the pain any longer. What’s wrong with that?
• So you are saying people should go to a Chiropractor without even feeling sick?
• Do I need a referral from a Medical Doctor to see a Chiropractor?
• Do I need my Medical Doctor’s permission to see a Chiropractor?
• But my doctor said I should not go to a Chiropractor. And he said I should take this medication, even though I don’t like taking it.
• How come there are no Chiropractors in hospitals? Wouldn’t it be beneficial if patients could get both types of therapy?
• I want to come in for some treatments, but I am three months pregnant. Do I have to wait until after the baby is born?
• So what do you think of all the recent attacks on Chiropractic in the media?
• Aren’t Chiropractors just back Doctors?
• Why do you treat new-born babies?
• O.K. Doctor, you have one last minute. What is your most important message in a nutshell?
• Conclusion

CHIROPRACTIC: WHAT IS IT? [TOP]

The word “chiropractic” is derived from two Greek words, which mean, “done by hand”. Chiropractic is a form of healing where the primary mode of therapy is a gentle treatment done by hand, in contrast to methods involving drugs or surgery.

These treatments relieve irritated nerves, and release the natural healing energy of the body, and allow the body to heal itself.

Remember: the profession is called “Chiropractic”. The Doctor is called a “Chiropractor”, or a “Doctor of Chiropractic”.

Over the years, Chiropractic has become more and more renowned as the treatment of choice forbackaches and headaches, but that is not its primary function. That is not even how it started.

Chiropractic has its effect primarily on the nerves, and hence is usually effective in any disorder where the nervous system is involved.

Inherent to the philosophy of Chiropractic is the fact that the body has within itself an “innate” ability to heal itself. That is why when you get a cut, it heals. When you get a cold, your immunity is activated and you get well.

When you run, you automatically breathe in more oxygen to feed your cells. Your heart automatically pumps more blood to the cells in the body to keep them alive. Your digestive system converts your breakfast into energy, blood, hair, muscles and thousands of other substances. It does all this without the slightest conscious thought from you. That is “Innate”. The psalmist, David said, “We are fearfully and wonderfully made”. We really are.

Chiropractic is based on the fact that all healing comes from within. Healing does not come from Doctors or from drugs.

But, you might ask, “If healing comes from within, what is the purpose of Doctors?” Doctors have two purposes in healing.

• First, when something goes wrong, and an energy blockage develops in the body so that it can no longer carry on its normal healing function, the doctor’s best action might be to help remove the blockage.
• Second, the doctor can work along with nature to support and help the body’s healing mechanism.

The doctor’s main goal should be to make it easier for the body’s healing mechanism to function. Healing comes only from inside, not from outside.

Don’t ever forget this: The same power which transformed you from a two-celled embryo into a moving, thinking active being, performing all the body functions and producing magnificent ideas every day, is still alive. This power is the source of all healing. I should add here that over the years, chiropractic techniques are being continuously refined and upgraded. It is now easier to access and affect the healing energy within you. With increased knowledge and highly refined techniques, you can now receive chiropractic care in its finest form. Pain-free energetic healing is now available.

HISTORY OF CHIROPRACTIC [TOP]

This may come as a surprise to many, but Chiropractic did not originally start as a method of treatment for pain relief. Chiropractic was discovered in 1895 when a man who had been deaf for 17 years received an “adjustment” on the neck and his hearing was restored.

History records that sometime around 1878, Harvey Lillard had bent down to pick up a broom, heard a “pop” in his neck, and shortly thereafter, lost his hearing.

For 17 years he tried the available medical help, but to no avail. Then, in his continuous search for help, he was introduced to Daniel David Palmer, a Canadian living in Davenport, Iowa. Palmer noticed a “bump” on Lillard’s neck, and developed a hypothesis that perhaps this bump might be the cause of Lillard’s loss of hearing, and wanted to investigate further.

Lillard was not very enthusiastic. For the past 17 years, the best medical specialists had been unable to help him. What could Palmer do? He was not even a medical doctor.

Just imagine the questions which probably filled his mind. “What could Palmer do?” “Is he going to hurt me?” “Does he have any medical training?” “What would my specialists say?” “What do I have to lose?” “How could I gracefully get out of this?” “The specialists didn’t do any good anyway; what would happen if I tried something different?” “What if it works?” What would you do if you were in the same situation?

Palmer must have been very convincing. For after a bit more persuasion, Lillard allowed Palmer to push on the bump on his neck.

In a moment, his life was permanently changed. In a moment, a historical event occurred which has had its effects around the globe, and has saved millions of lives.

Immediately Lillard heard horses running on the cobblestone streets below. This was the first sound he had heard in 17 years! His hearing was totally and permanently restored.

At first, the people hailed Palmer’s treatment as a cure for deafness, and brought deaf people from everywhere to D.D. Palmer for his treatment. But most of these people did not regain their hearing. They noticed, however, a strange phenomenon: All types of other health problems were being cured.

This probably surprised Palmer just as much as it did the people. How could he, by pushing on a bone in a man’s neck, cure headaches, asthma, deafness, allergies, backaches, and ulcers? Puzzled by his findings, he isolated himself and dedicated several years to a serious study of Anatomy and Physiology in an effort to find out how this phenomenon could happen. He studied all he could about the human body and came up with the following postulations:

1. There are nerve connections between the brain and all the different parts of the body.
2. These nerves can be “pinched” between the bones.
3. If a nerve is “pinched”, the energy supply is cut off, and the part of the body supplied by that nerve does not work properly.
4. When the proper force is applied to the appropriate bone, the pressure on the nerve is released. The energy starts to flow again. And the affected part of the body starts working properly again.

Today we take this knowledge for granted, but back then, it was new and preposterous. In order to appreciate the significance of such a theory, we must remember that in 1895, medical science was still rather crude. Medical treatments were not as sophisticated as they are today. In fact, it was only twenty-five years prior to this that doctors reluctantly started washing their hands with antiseptics after performing autopsies, and before performing surgery, or delivering babies. But that is a story for another time.

Today, Chiropractic is widely used and is very effective in a wide range of conditions. Among the conditions most frequently treated by Chiropractic are: Low back pain, headaches, upper back problems, sciatica, neck problems, whiplash, shoulder problems, sport injuries, disc problems, arm and leg problems, and industrial and motor vehicle injuries.

However, outstanding results are regularly achieved with patients who have been suffering from conditions such as indigestion, colic, colitis, diarrhea, fatigue, migraine, stress, flu, asthma, allergies and psoriasis, etc. etc., etc.

These conditions respond so well because there is often a nerve irritation, causing reduced flow of the body’s energy. When the energy flow is restored, the body starts to heal.

WHO VISITS THE WELLNESS CENTER [TOP]

On any day, at the Wellness Center, you will probably meet a wide variety of people. They may range in age from a few days old to over 85 years. The majority of these people are not visibly sick or in pain, but are cheerful, happy people who use Chiropractic as their primary system of maintaining their good health.

These people come from every walk of life. There are professional athletes and models, tradesmen and housewives, truck drivers and doctors, nurses and professors, teachers and students, office workers and body- builders, retirees, babies and preschoolers, jockeys and farmers -just everybody. They are all using a natural way to improve their health and well-being.

WHAT TO EXPECT AT THE WELLNESS CENTER [TOP]

When you first visit the clinic, you will most likely be greeted by one of our pleasant receptionists, and asked to complete a healthinformation form. This helps us to better understand your condition and to know how we can best serve you.

You will then have a consultation with the doctor. At this time, you will find that the doctor is ready and willing to assist you in every way possible.

Usually on this visit, you receive a thorough examination, which allows the doctor to discover the present condition of your health.

After the doctor has had a chance to study the results of this examination, you will then be told his findings and his recommendations. Treatments generally start at the earliest possible opportunity.

Treatments may vary depending on your specific needs. The objective is always to help you to achieve your ideal health as quickly as possible, and then to maintain it.

Our approach to healing is holistic. Depending on your specific case, you may be treated with Chiropractic adjustments, physical therapy, nutritional recommendations, exercise or advice on healthy living. You will always get what we think is the best procedure for you at that time.

Your input regarding your progress is most vital. It enables us to adapt your treatments for your greatest benefit.

You have heard the word “Adjustment” several times already and may be wondering: “What does this term mean?”

An adjustment is the Chiropractor’s main method of treatment. An adjustment from a chiropractor could be comparable to a prescription or an operation from a Medical Doctor. It is what a Chiropractor does to allow your body to heal itself.

Here is how it is done:

• In its simplest form, the Chiropractor locates a joint which is fixed or restricted, and potentially irritating nerves.
• He decides which way the bones have to be moved in order to restore normal joint motion.
• He gently pushes the misaligned bone in the required direction.

You usually feel or hear a brief release as the joint seats in its socket; and the adjustment is done. In most cases you feel no pain. In fact, most people get up and immediately say they feel better. It is often that fast!

WE NEED YOUR HELP [TOP]

Once we start to work together, we need your co-operation and feedback.

Our consistent success comes from getting good results. And this is possible only with patient co-operation.

Please do the things we ask you to do, and inform us of any changes you notice, good or bad. This way we can monitor your treatments for maximum benefit. We want you to feel so good that your friends will notice the difference in you, and ask you about it.

Chiropractic is a relatively new science, and unfortunately many people who need it do not even know it exists. Hence we want you to have a positive experience with Chiropractic. Then when your friends are in need, you can tell them that Chiropractic exists, and it works!

THE TRAINING OF A CHIROPRACTOR [TOP]

In order to gain entrance to a Chiropractor College, applicants must have a minimum of three years University training, including specific prerequisite courses such as Biology, Chemistry, and Psychology. This training is usually gained sitting in the same classes with future doctors of all kinds. This is a minimal requirement however, and does not necessarily gain you entrance into the Chiropractic College or University. At the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College, they are currently able to accept only one out of every six applicants.

Chiropractic training, which is relatively standardized throughout the world now, is four to five years long and is comparable to the training of any other type of physician. The course is generally divided into Basic Sciences and Chiropractic Sciences. The Basic Sciences include subjects such as: Anatomy, Chemistry, Physiology, Biochemistry and Psychology, as well as other subjects taken by physicians of all types. Here also, these subjects are usually taught by the same professors who teach other types of physicians.

Chiropractic sciences concentrate heavily on Diagnosis, Chiropractic Technique, X-Ray Technique, Public Health, Nutrition and Physical Therapy. Each graduating Chiropractor must complete a one-year clinical internship prior to applying for licensure to practice as a Chiropractor.

The new graduate must then pass national and provincial Chiropractic board examinations. Then, and only then, may he practice the art of Chiropractic.

This however, is not the end of learning. Like many other professionals, Chiropractors must take post-graduate training. Many chiropractors become involved in multi-discipline research projects and practices. They work along with other types of doctors to develop new strategies of treatments. This is a trend which will affect health care delivery around the world.

THE REWARDS OF CHIROPRACTIC [TOP]

Chiropractic is challenging work. It allows us to work with the most dynamic, delicate and sophisticated machine in the world: the human body.

Chiropractic is exciting! It is fun and rewarding. Most of the rewards come from witnessing people walk out visibly improved over how they came in. Often the reward comes just from seeing them walk out, especially those who came in on a stretcher. Rewards often include the knowledge that people cancelled their surgery because they were healed by natural methods. Other rewards come from observing people resuming a normal life, and enjoying activities they had not done in years. Chiropractic prolongs life. Chiropractic relieves pain. Chiropractic saves lives.

OUR RESPONSES TO THE MOST COMMON QUESTIONS ON CHIROPRACTIC [TOP]

Q: Is it true that when you go to a Chiropractor, you have to keep going back? [TOP]

A: I will answer this with another question: “When you tune up your car, do you ever have to tune it up again?” Not necessarily, but hopefully your car performed so well and felt so good after the tune up that you want to tune it up again at the prescribed regular intervals.

Q: But aren’t all Chiropractors the same? [TOP]

A: No. Just like Dentists or Plumbers or Allopathic Physicians (Medical Doctors), Chiropractic has different techniques, different areas of interest and varying degrees of expertise. Chiropractic is an art. I like to compare Chiropractors with Pianists. And just as no two Pianists are the same, similarly no two Chiropractors are the same. You have to find the one who can best supply your needs and give him a try.

Q: Why don’t Medical Doctors recommend Chiropractors? [TOP]

A: Actually, some of the best ones do. However, Medical Doctors are Allopathic Physicians or Surgeons. That means that their training prepares them to treat disease using drugs or surgery. Their philosophy and methods of healing are so different from those of Chiropractic, that many are not aware of this advanced method of healing. There are also some political issues, but that is a topic for another time. However, no one can deny the numerous studies which prove the effectiveness of Chiropractic. A study published July 4, 1990, in the British Medical Journal demonstrated that Chiropractic care is the best treatment for back pain.

Furthermore, it concluded that if patients were referred for Chiropractic, instead of hospital treatment, it would save the British people well over $14,000,000 in taxpayers’ money every year. Another Chiropractic study, performed in New Zealand, probably the most extensive study into chiropractic ever done, proved that chiropractic is the most effective treatment for several conditions! Many Medical Doctors do not yet know what Chiropractic is, or what it does. This situation is swiftly changing however. More and more are using chiropractic services for their families as well as for themselves. Look for major changes in this area soon.

Westmount Edmonton families enjoy chiropractic
and its amazing benefits since 1979.