Studies indicate that only between 25-50% of family physicians have referred a patient to a chiropractor, and this typically occurs at the patient’s request. This is often a result of a lack of knowledge of chiropractic practices, and a fear that patients will be mismanaged or given unnecessary and potentially harmful treatments.
Our goal at Orleans Integrative Medicine is to be a trusted resource in the community – a place that provides evidence based care to patients and open lines of communication with referring physicians. Our chiropractors practice a variety of techniques to meet the needs of the patient. We never use a cookie-cutter approach to patient care!
See what the Canadian Healthcare Network is saying about MD DC collaboration
What We Treat
While the most common reason for referral is acute or chronic low back pain, we help patients suffering from a variety of MSK complaints. For a complete list, click here
When Referring a Patient to OIM, You Can Expect the Following:
- Thorough Assessment – Patients receive a full clinical health history, a musculoskeletal physical examination of the injury and/or associated areas, and a diagnosis.
- Informed Consent to Treatment – Prior to any interventions, patient’s receive a thorough explanation of their diagnosis, treatment options, and any potential risks that may be associated
- Integrated Treatment Approach – Whether it’s low back pain or any other MSK condition, best-practice guidelines often indicate a multimodal treatment approach. Because of this, treatment plans include multiple forms of manual and physical therapy, with a strong emphasis on exercise plans and active patient care.
- Open Communication – We want referring physicians to know how their patient’s are doing. Assessment reports will be sent to your office following each assessment (with patient consent of course).
- We DO NOT x-ray patients unnecessarily. All plain film imaging is referred to local labs and is done according to clinical best practice guidelines (Ottawa Ankle Rules, Canadian C-Spine Rules, Etc.)
- We never have patients “sign-up” or “commit” to treatment plans. Treatment effectiveness and necessity is continually monitored and evaluated.
Evidence Based Care
The chiropractic profession, like many sectors of healthcare, has undergone a transformation in recent years by embracing the evidence-based-medicine model. The Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College (CMCC) in Toronto is the only university that offers a completely evidence based Doctor of Chiropractic program. Based on McMaster University’s medical program, CMCC provides students with modular, problem-based learning. Graduates enter the healthcare system with excellent skills in MSK assessment, differential diagnosis, and disease management, and treatment options.
Our Chiropractors are graduates of the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College, and McMaster University’s Contemporary Medical Acupuncture Program.
Scope of Practice
The practice of chiropractic is the assessment of conditions related to the spine, nervous system and joints and the diagnosis, prevention and treatment, primarily by adjustment of: dysfunctions or disorders arising from the structures or functions of the spine and the effects of those dysfunctions or disorders on the nervous system; and dysfunctions or disorders arising from the structures or functions of the joints.
Authorized Acts
- Communicating a diagnosis identifying, as the cause of a person’s symptoms, a disorder arising from the structures or functions of the spine and their effects on the nervous system, or a disorder arising from the structures or functions of the joints of the extremities.
- Moving the joints of the spine beyond a person’s usual physiological range of motion using a fast, low amplitude thrust.
- Putting a finger beyond the anal verge for the purpose of manipulating the tailbone
Some Research
Astin JA, Marie A, Pelletier KR, Hansen E,Haskell WL. A review of the incorporation of complementary and alternative medicine by mainstream physicians. Arch Intern Med 1998;158:2303-10.
Meeker WC,Haldeman S. Chiropractic: A profession at the crossroads of mainstream and alternative medicine. Ann Intern Med 2002;136:216-27.
Furlow ML, Patel DA, Sen A,Liu JR. Physician and patient attitudes towards complementary and alternative medicine in obstetrics and gynecology. BMC Complement Altern Med 2008;8:35.
Greene BR, Smith M, Allareddy V,Haas M. Referral patterns and attitudes of primary care physicians towards chiropractors. BMC Complement Altern Med 2006;6:5.
Busse JW, Jacobs C, Ngo T, Rodine R, Torrance D, et al. Attitudes toward chiropractic: A survey of north american orthopedic surgeons. Spine 2009;34:2818-25.
Lee T, Pappius EM,Goldman L. Impact of inter-physician communication on the effectiveness of medical consultations. Am J Med 1983;74:106-12.
Mainous AG, Gill JM, Zoller JS,Wolman MG. Fragmentation of patient care between chiropractors and family physicians. Arch Fam Med 2000;9:446-50.