What Does a Chiropractor Do? Your Complete Guide to Chiropractic Care in Brentwood Bay

If you've been wondering what a chiropractor actually does — beyond the satisfying pop of an adjustment — this guide has you covered. Chiropractic care is a hands-on, non-invasive healthcare discipline focused on diagnosing and treating disorders of the spine, joints, and muscles. At Brentwood Chiropractic Group, we work with patients across Brentwood Bay and Central Saanich to restore movement, relieve pain, and support long-term health — without medication or surgery.

Below, we cover everything: how chiropractors are trained, what happens in a session, what that popping sound really means, what conditions respond well to chiropractic care, and the questions you should ask before booking your first appointment.

What Is Chiropractic Care?

Chiropractic care began in 1895 and has since become one of Canada's most widely used healthcare professions, with 4.5 million Canadians visiting a chiropractor each year. The core focus is on the musculoskeletal and nervous systems — particularly how the spine and joints move, and how movement restrictions affect the body's overall function and comfort.

The word "chiropractic" means "done by hand" in Greek, which reflects its essential character: it is a hands-on, therapeutic approach to improving how your body moves. Modern chiropractic is evidence-informed, collaborative, and far broader in scope than many people expect. It is not just about back pain — and it is not just about cracking.

At Brentwood Chiropractic Group, our approach integrates chiropractic adjustments with massage therapy, acupuncture, athletic therapy, and shockwave therapy — because most musculoskeletal problems respond best to coordinated, multi-modal care rather than a single-discipline approach.

How Chiropractors Are Trained

Chiropractors complete extensive post-secondary training — typically a minimum of seven years of university education. This includes undergraduate coursework in sciences followed by a four-year Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) program at an accredited institution such as the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College (CMCC). The curriculum covers anatomy, neurophysiology, diagnostic imaging, pathology, orthopaedics, and extensive supervised clinical practice.

In British Columbia, chiropractors must pass national board exams and meet the licensing requirements of the College of Chiropractors of British Columbia. They are required to complete continuing education throughout their career and may pursue advanced certifications in areas like sports chiropractic, pediatric care, and functional movement assessment.

No referral needed. Chiropractors in BC are primary contact providers — meaning you can book directly without seeing your family doctor first. Brentwood Chiropractic Group accepts ICBC claims for motor vehicle accident injuries, and most extended health benefit plans in Canada include chiropractic coverage — learn more about direct billing at Brentwood Chiropractic Group.

What Does a Chiropractor Actually Do in a Session?

A chiropractic session typically involves assessment, treatment, and guidance — all tailored to your specific condition and goals. Here is what that looks like in practice.

Spinal Adjustment (High-Velocity, Low-Amplitude Manipulation)

The spinal adjustment is the technique most people associate with chiropractic care. It involves a quick, controlled thrust applied to a specific spinal joint to restore motion and reduce nerve irritation. The adjustment is precise — targeted at one segment of the spine — and the force used is far less than most patients expect. The goal is not to forcibly move the spine; it is to introduce a very specific movement that a restricted joint is not producing on its own.

Not every patient needs or receives high-velocity adjustments. Our chiropractors always match the technique to the patient's presentation, age, and preference.

Joint Mobilization

Joint mobilization uses gentler, oscillating movements to gradually restore range of motion to a restricted joint. It is often preferred for older adults, patients with osteoporosis, or those with acute or highly sensitive presentations where a faster technique would not be appropriate. Mobilization can be equally effective as manipulation for many conditions and is always a valid option at our Brentwood Bay clinic.

Soft Tissue Therapy

Most musculoskeletal problems involve both joint restrictions and muscle tension — and treating only the joint often provides incomplete results. Our chiropractors use a range of soft tissue techniques including trigger point therapy, myofascial release, and active release-style approaches to address the muscular components. For patients dealing with tension from stress, our post on stress relief and mental wellness through chiropractic and massage covers how these therapies work together of your condition alongside joint work.

Rehabilitation and Exercise Prescription

A significant part of chiropractic care is helping you build resilience so the problem doesn't keep returning. We develop individualized exercise programs focused on mobility, strength, and neuromuscular control — the three pillars of lasting musculoskeletal health. Research from the Canadian Chiropractic Association shows that patients treated with a combination of adjustments and exercise reported significant improvement at both three-month and twelve-month follow-ups, compared to those receiving only one form of care.

Ergonomic and Lifestyle Guidance

How you sit, sleep, lift, and move during the hours outside our clinic matters enormously. Our chiropractors provide practical, personalized advice on posture, workstation setup, sleep positions, and activity modification — not generic tips, but guidance specific to your body, your job, and your daily routine.

What Does That Popping Sound Mean?

One of the most common questions patients ask before their first adjustment: What is that cracking sound? The short answer is: it's gas, not bones, and it's completely normal.

The technical term is cavitation. Every joint in the body is surrounded by a capsule filled with synovial fluid, which contains dissolved gases — primarily nitrogen. When a joint is moved quickly through its range of motion during an adjustment, the rapid change in pressure causes these gas bubbles to release, producing the familiar pop or click you hear.

A few things worth knowing:

• The sound is not the goal. The therapeutic benefit of a chiropractic adjustment comes from the joint movement itself — not from whether a sound occurs. Many effective adjustments produce no sound at all, and the absence of a pop does not mean the treatment didn't work.

• Cracking your joints does not cause arthritis. This is one of the most persistent myths in healthcare, and there is no clinical research supporting it. Arthritis develops from sustained mechanical stress and inflammatory processes over time — not from joint sounds or chiropractic adjustments.

• Morning pops and cracks are normal. If you stretch when you wake up and hear a series of pops, that is simply gas escaping from joints that have been still overnight. There is nothing to worry about.

• Movement is medicine. Whether through an adjustment, mobilization, or daily movement, keeping your joints moving freely is one of the most important things you can do for long-term musculoskeletal health.

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What Conditions Do Chiropractors Treat?

Chiropractic care addresses a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions. At Brentwood Chiropractic Group, we commonly see patients with:

🔹 Low back pain and sciatica

🔹 Neck pain and stiffness

🔹 Tension headaches and migraines

🔹 Shoulder pain and rotator cuff issues

🔹 Hip and knee joint pain

🔹 Tennis elbow and carpal tunnel

🔹 Sports injuries and strains

🔹 Postural imbalances

🔹 Motor vehicle accident injuries (ICBC)

🔹 Repetitive strain from desk work

🔹 Plantar fasciitis and ankle injuries

🔹 Scoliosis management

Beyond treating pain, many of our patients visit Brentwood Chiropractic Group for preventive and performance-focused care — to maintain their range of motion, stay active through the years, and prevent problems from developing in the first place. This includes athletes, active adults, desk workers, seniors, and anyone who wants to move better and feel better over the long term.

How Often Will I Need to Come?

This is one of the most common questions new patients ask — and the honest answer is: it depends on your condition, its severity, and how your body responds to treatment. Here is a general framework:

Minor Pain or Early-Stage Issues

Acute headaches, minor joint flare-ups, or early-stage neck and back pain often resolve within a handful of sessions — sometimes as few as two or three, particularly if caught early. The sooner you address a problem, the faster and easier the recovery tends to be.

Moderate Injuries or Recurring Problems

Most conditions we see — a work-related back strain, a sports injury that's been nagging, ongoing neck pain from desk posture — typically improve meaningfully within three to four weeks of treatment, often at a frequency of one to three visits per week in the early phase. Treatment then tapers as you improve.

Chronic Conditions or Significant Injuries

Degenerative conditions, fibromyalgia, serious car accident injuries, and longstanding back or joint pain may require longer-term management. The Canadian Chiropractic Association notes that low back pain recurrence rates are high — with 73% of patients experiencing a recurrence within 12 months. Regular maintenance care (monthly or as needed) can significantly reduce recurrence rates and keep chronic conditions manageable.

Preventive and Wellness Care

A growing number of our patients come in not because they're in pain, but because they want to stay that way. Athletes use regular chiropractic to maintain performance and prevent injury. Active adults use it to preserve mobility as they age. Desk workers use it to offset the postural strain of long hours at a computer. Runners and cyclists benefit from regular care to keep their movement patterns efficient and injury-free. For preventive care, visit frequency is highly individual — your chiropractor will make a recommendation based on your lifestyle and how your body responds.

What to Expect at Your First Visit

If you've never seen a chiropractor before, here's exactly what to expect at Brentwood Chiropractic Group:

1

Health History. Your chiropractor will ask detailed questions about your current complaint, past injuries, medical history, medications, and your health goals. The more information you provide, the more tailored your care will be.

2

Physical Examination. This typically includes postural assessment, range of motion testing, orthopaedic and neurological tests, and hands-on palpation of the spine and joints. The goal is to identify exactly what is restricted, irritated, or dysfunctional — and why.

3

Diagnosis and Treatment Plan. Your chiropractor will explain what they found, what it means, and what they recommend. You'll receive a clear picture of the proposed treatment approach and realistic expectations for recovery.

4

First Treatment (Usually Same Day). In most cases, treatment begins at the first appointment. Your chiropractor will only delay if more diagnostic information is needed first — and they will tell you clearly if that's the case. Initial appointments typically run 45–60 minutes.

5

Home Care Guidance. You'll leave with specific advice — exercises, stretches, posture modifications, or activity guidance — to support your recovery between sessions.

Questions to Ask Your Chiropractor at the First Visit

Walking into a new healthcare relationship is easier when you know what to ask. These are the questions that help you find the right fit and understand your care:

What experience do you have treating my condition?Chiropractors vary in their areas of expertise. A chiropractor with extensive experience in sports injuries approaches a shoulder problem differently than one whose practice focuses primarily on general wellness. It's completely appropriate to ask about relevant experience — and a good chiropractor will be direct and honest in their answer.

What techniques do you use, and why are they appropriate for me?There are many chiropractic techniques — high-velocity manipulation, low-force mobilization, instrument-assisted adjustment, soft tissue methods. Ask which techniques your chiropractor recommends for your presentation and why. The answer tells you a lot about how they think about your care.

What does a realistic recovery look like for my condition?A good chiropractor will give you a honest, specific answer — not vague reassurance. They should be able to describe what improvement typically looks like, over what timeframe, and what factors might speed up or slow down recovery in your case.

What can I do between appointments to help my recovery?The work you do outside the clinic — exercise, posture habits, activity modifications — matters as much as what happens during your sessions. Any chiropractor worth seeing will have specific, actionable guidance for you here.

Does my insurance cover this, and do you direct bill?Brentwood Chiropractic Group direct bills most extended health benefit plans, and accepts ICBC claims for motor vehicle accident injuries. Ask at the front desk about your specific coverage before your first appointment — it's a completely normal thing to sort out in advance.

About Dr. Mike Hadbavny at Brentwood Chiropractic Group

Dr. Mike Hadbavny, DC — Chiropractor, Brentwood Bay BC

FRCCSS(C) DC — CMCC Sports Sciences Specialist

Dr. Mike Hadbavny is a chiropractor at Brentwood Chiropractic Group, serving patients across Brentwood Bay and Central Saanich. He holds a Fellowship from the Royal College of Chiropractic Sports Sciences of Canada (FRCCSS(C)) and has extensive experience treating musculoskeletal conditions across all age groups and activity levels — from desk workers managing postural strain to competitive athletes recovering from injury.

Dr. Hadbavny has served as team chiropractor for Pacific FC (Canadian Premier League) since the club's founding season in 2019, bringing professional sport-level assessment and treatment experience to his everyday clinical practice at Brentwood Chiropractic Group.

Phone: 250-881-7881  |  Location: Brentwood Bay, BC (Central Saanich)

Ready to experience chiropractic care in Brentwood Bay?

Whether you're dealing with back pain, recovering from an injury, or simply want to move better — Dr. Hadbavny and the team at Brentwood Chiropractic Group are here to help.

Book Your Appointment at Brentwood Chiropractic Group →

Call us at 250-881-7881  |  ICBC claims accepted  |  Direct billing available

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a chiropractor do?

Chiropractors use manual techniques to improve joint motion, relieve pain, and help the body function more efficiently. This includes spinal adjustments, joint mobilization, soft tissue therapy, and functional movement strategies — tailored to your specific condition and goals.

Is chiropractic care safe?

Yes — when provided by a licensed professional, chiropractic is safe for the vast majority of people. The World Health Organization affirms its safety for mechanical back and neck pain, and serious adverse events are extremely rare. Your chiropractor will always conduct a thorough assessment before beginning treatment to confirm that chiropractic care is appropriate for your situation.

Do I need a referral to see a chiropractor in Brentwood Bay?

No referral is needed. Chiropractors are primary contact providers in British Columbia, meaning you can book directly at Brentwood Chiropractic Group without seeing your family doctor first.

Will I get treatment at my first appointment?

In most cases, yes. After your health history and physical examination, treatment typically begins at the first visit. Your chiropractor will let you know clearly if additional information is needed before starting — and if so, treatment will begin at your second appointment.

What is that cracking or popping sound during an adjustment?

It's gas releasing from the joint capsule — a process called cavitation. When a joint is moved quickly through its range, dissolved gas bubbles (mostly nitrogen) in the synovial fluid release and produce the pop. It's completely normal, not harmful, and — importantly — not required for a successful adjustment. Many effective treatments produce no sound at all.

How long does a chiropractic appointment last?

Initial appointments at Brentwood Chiropractic Group typically run 45–60 minutes, to allow for a thorough history and examination. Follow-up sessions are usually 30 minutes, though this varies depending on your condition and the treatments involved.

Is chiropractic covered by insurance?

Yes. Most extended health benefit plans in Canada include chiropractic coverage. Brentwood Chiropractic Group accepts ICBC claims for motor vehicle accident-related injuries and direct bills most major extended health plans. Contact us at 250-881-7881 to confirm your coverage before your first visit.

Can cracking your joints cause arthritis?

No — this is a persistent myth with no clinical evidence behind it. Arthritis develops from mechanical stress, inflammation, and changes to joint tissue over time. Chiropractic adjustments and everyday joint sounds have no causal relationship with arthritis development. In fact, keeping your joints moving freely may help reduce the risk of degenerative joint changes over the long term.

Does chiropractic care help with posture?

Absolutely. Chiropractors assess postural imbalances and develop plans that combine manual therapy, targeted exercises, and ergonomic coaching to improve alignment and prevent future pain. See our guide to maintaining good posture throughout the day for practical tips you can start using right now. If you spend long hours at a desk or screen, this is one of the highest-value investments you can make in your long-term comfort.

Written by Dr. Mike Hadbavny, FRCCSS(C), DC — sports chiropractor at Brentwood Chiropractic Group, Brentwood Bay, BC. For appointments, call 250-881-7881 or visit brentwoodchiropracticgroup.com.