Things Patients Should Know about Ontario's Chiropractic Act

Chiropractic treatment can be beneficial to patients in a variety of ways. Some people need ongoing adjustments to the spine and joints for daily health, and other patients need rehabilitative adjustments after an injury. Too often, however, patients' conditions are made worse by erroneous chiropractic treatment.

With that said, Gluckstein Lawyers would like to discuss some basic things patients should know about the medical scope of chiropractic treatment and what chiropractors in Ontario are legally authorized to do.

Ontario's Chiropractic Act requires that every practising chiropractor in the province be a registered member of the College of Chiropractors of Ontario (CCO), which governs the profession throughout the province. Individuals found guilty of falsely presenting themselves as registered chiropractors could be fined $25,000 for a first offence and $50,000 for a subsequent offence.

Whether they are certified or not, chiropractors could also be held liable for medical malpractice if erroneous treatment results in injury.

Under the law, registered chiropractors are allowed to assess, diagnose and treat conditions related to the spine, joints and nervous system. Treatment typically involves adjusting the joints or the tailbone.

Specifically, the law states that chiropractors are authorized to adjust the joints of the spine "beyond a person's usual physiological range of motion using a fast, low amplitude thrust." Adjusting an injured person's body beyond his or her "usual physiological range" can cause great harm if not performed correctly, so it is very important that chiropractors properly diagnose patients and avoid adjustments that could cause damage.

At Gluckstein Lawyers, we understand how a chiropractic error can have far-reaching effects in a person's life. 

REFERENCES:

Chiropractic Act, 1991: http://www.e-laws.gov.on.http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/html/statutes/english/elaws_statutes_91c21_e.htm.htm