FAQs

No. A referral is not necessary for us to accept you as a patient. Most private health insurance plans do not require a referral for your treatments to be covered because a chiropractor is licensed to make a diagnosis of your problem. Check with your private health insurance carrier to be sure.

Like dentistry or optometry, the provincial goverment does not cover chiropractic services, however, the majority of private health insurance plans do. The specific amount of coverage varies depending on your plan, so check with your insurance carrier.

Our clinic offers direct billing for Blue Cross, VA and members of the RCMP. Most insurance claims for Motor Vehicle Accidents (MVA’s) will also allow us to direct bill if previously approved by your insurance company.

Chiropractors are doctors who specialize in problems of muscles, joints, and nerves of the body. Chiropractors are educated in the biological and health sciences and receive specialized training in the diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal conditions. Becoming a chiropractor in Canada takes eight years of post-secondary education including no less than 4500 hours of classroom and clinical instruction at an institution approved by the Council on Chiropractic Education in Canada. To become licenced to practice chiropractic in Canada, chiropractors must also pass a set of three national board exams to prove competency to practice.

Chiropractic is a profession and is not a specific treatment. Therefore, a chiropractic treatment will vary between chiropractors depending on their personal interests and skill level. A chiropractor may use manual or instrument assisted manipulation, soft tissue therapy, exercise prescription or passive modalities (ultrasound, electrical stimulation, laser therapy). Your chiropractor will select a specific treatment depending on your age, fitness level, and diagnosis. In our office your treatment may include manipulation (otherwise known as an adjustment), soft tissue massage (Active Release), laser therapy, kinesiotaping, orthotics or a prescription of exercises to reduce tension, decrease pain, mobilize joints or stretch soft tissues.

In the majority of cases, a treatment is painless. In fact, most patients will feel an immediate relief when an adjustment is made. In some cases – such as following a recent injury – the muscles and ligaments around the joint may be painful and inflamed. When this happens any pressure on the area will provide some discomfort, including an adjustment. If the area is too tender or sensitive to tolerate the pressure from a chiropractic adjustment we will use other techniques such a gentle mobilizations or soft tissue therapies to help facilitate healing and de-sensitize the area so an adjustment will be more tolerable in subsequent visits.

It is not uncommon to hear a pop or click when a chiropractic adjustment is provided. This noise is actually gas escaping from the joints. As two bones come together to form a joint, there is fluid between the bones which acts as a lubricant and allows for smooth motion of the joint. This fluid contains dissolved gases. As a joint becomes tight and does not move properly the pressure will build up in the joint. An adjustment releases the pressure in the joint and by doing so will also release the gases within the joint, which creates a popping sound. It is similar to opening a champagne bottle or can of pop. As the pressure is released gas escapes and makes a pop. The same thing also happens when someone cracks their knuckles.

Yes. Chiropractic treatment is firmly based on science, both in terms of safety and effectiveness. There have been at least six formal government inquiries into chiropractic worldwide over the last 25 years and all have agreed that chiropractic care is safe and effective. In addition, there is a growing body of scientific clinical studies that have supported chiropractic treatment.

MRT is best compared to an active massage treatment. The first couple of treatments sessions can often be slightly uncomfortable due to the breaking and removal of adhesions, although the practitioner will never work outside your level of tolerance. This discomfort subsides with the completion of the treatment session, and the practitioner will work within your comfort level to minimize any soreness. Most patients report the treatment as feeling like a “good hurt.”

Wear comfortable, loose clothing to your appointment. Bring a pair of shorts if you are having treatment performed on your lower extremity (hip or knee) or a tank top to change into if you are having treatment performed on your shoulder. If you forget to bring shorts or a tank top, we have some available for you to wear during your appointment.

Laser therapy treatments are completely painless which is well received by the acute or sensitive patient. Occasionally patients will report a warming sensation, but the majority of patients report that they don't feel anything during the treatment.

Like other doctors (medical doctors, optometrists and dentists for example), chiropractors belong to a large and growing network of health care professionals. Our doctors are well educated in recognizing risk factors and signs of serious disease. The goal of your initial visit and examination is to determine what is causing your pain/condition, and to determine if your condition is appropriate for chiropractic care. If we feel that your condition is not a chiropractic case, or would be better treated by a medical doctor or other healthcare provider we have the knowledge to recognize that and will refer you to where you need to go.