Canadians deserve full access to chiropractic health care

Dear Reader,

I have been a Chiropractor since 1982. When I graduated I thought that the sky was the limit providing chiropractic services to a suffering, needy public. The concept of wellness, wholistic health and natural alternatives to health including back pain treatment seemed to be the way the public was going. At that time, OHIP covered part of a chiropractic visit. Patients still had to pay for their chiropractic care as compared to seeing a medical doctor which was fully covered. Still, I remained optimistic that this would change and we would be fully recognized. This was not the case. In the 1990s chiropractic was removed from OHIP as well as other provincial health plans. After almost 40 years of helping people I still believe chiropractic is an essential health care service and be included equally as part of health care in Canada. I strongly believe that Chiropractors be treated the same as Medical doctors. All Canadians should have fair access to chiropractic services. Government health plans should fully cover patients for chiropractic care. Chiropractic care is proven scientifically to be safe, natural form of health care. If patients were given a fair choice when they are suffering from low back pain, neck pain and headaches they might begin to choose a more natural, chiropractic approach. Chiropractors spend lots of time educating patients on healthy spinal and living habits. That includes home exercises, quit smoking, eating properly and periodic assessments and treatment when required. Dentistry has done so well promoting regular checkups which I am sure makes you take better care of you teeth. Your spine is equally if not more important! If more people were seeing chiropractors we would have less pain medication abuse and more people striving to have and maintain optimum health. In short, Chiropractic care should be a fully funded government health care service.

Thank you reading my thoughts and for your valuable time today.