Chiropractic Care

Adjustments

The chiropractic adjustment restores normal joint function and position. If a joint is not moving in its optimal range of motion, the surrounding joints and tissues will have to compensate by altering their position and range of motion.  

During a chiropractic adjustment, the distance between the joint surfaces is increased, reducing joint compression and improving joint range of motion, soft tissue flexibility and overall neurological communication between the brain, spinal cord and joints.

Diversified Technique

A hands-on Chiropractic Technique used to restore joint mobility and to reduce pain levels in both the spine and extremities.  A diversified adjustment is characterized by a high-velocity, low-amplitude thrust.  The goal is to restore proper movement and alignment of the spine and treat joint dysfunction.

Diversified Technique the most commonly used adjustment technique by chiropractors in Canada.  DCT is the principal chiropractic technique taught at the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College in Toronto and is also the primary technique taught at many of the colleges in the United States.

Myofascial Release

Myofascial release (or MFR) is a soft tissue therapy for the treatment of skeletal muscle immobility and pain. This alternative medicine therapy aims to relax contracted muscles, improve blood and lymphatic circulation, and stimulate the stretch reflex in muscles. Fascia is a thin, tough, elastic type of connective tissue that wraps most structures within the human body, including muscle. Fascia supports and protects these structures.

Webster Technique for pregnancy

A chiropractic technique used to reduce pelvic and ligament dysfunction during pregnancy, allowing for a comfortable gestational period for both mom and baby.

The International Chiropractic Pediatric Association offers certification programs and chiropractic research specifically for Chiropractors caring for pregnant women. More information can be obtained on their website at www.icpa4kids.org

Both Dr. Shaun and Dr. Jen have completed their Chriopractic prenatal certification in the Webster Technique.

The Webster Technique is described as: 

“a specific chiropractic analysis and adjustment which reduces nervous system stress and improves pelvic and ligament function”.

Benefits to the mother may include:

•    Preparation of the pelvis for pregnancy and birth by creating a state of balance in the pelvis
•    Removes tension on the ligaments and surrounding muscles which attach the uterus to the pelvic structure
•    Decreases the potential for intervention

Benefits to the developing infant:

•    Allows for optimal infant development
•    Allows the infant room to progress without restrictions
•    Offers the infant room to maneuver itself
•    Decreases chance of dystocia (failure to progress during labour) and potential birth trauma caused by interventions

Women who have had access to The Webster Technique during their pregnancy demonstrate a high proportion of success (82%) in relieving the musculoskeletal causes of intrauterine constraint. When successful, The Webster Technique may help avoid ECV, the need for a C-section or a vaginal trial of breech birth. 

This technique can be successfully applied at any point during pregnancy even as late as 39 weeks, however, it is highly recommended that pregnant women implement regular chiropractic care early in their pregnancy. By improving pelvic joint function early, moms often report a more comfortable pregnancy.

Pregnant women choosing chiropractic care during pregnancy will also benefit from decreased levels of back and/or sciatic nerve pain, decreased posterior pelvic pain, decreased pain in the rib cage area and will often enjoy a reduced frequency and intensity of headaches.

KinesioTaping

You may have seen many Olympic athletes or professional althetes wearing a neon tape on various parts of their bodies.  This bright neon athletic tape called KinesioTape, and has made headlines as it has been used by athletes from almost every country and across almost every sport!

This innovative athletic tape has actually been around for decades but has just recently gained popularity in its treatment of a variety of muscle and joint related conditions. KinesioTaping is designed to facilitate the body’s natural healing process by assisting with lymphatic dranage while providing support to the muscles and joint with proprioceptive feedback.  It avoids restricting the joint’s range of motion and provides extended soft tissue manipulation, helping to prolong the benefits of manual therapy administered within a clinical setting.

Dr. Shaun and Dr. Jen often use KinesioTape to address shoulder, knee and ankle injuries, back complaints and assist with postural corrections.  In addition, both doctors have been trained to use kinesio tape to help reduce the strain and discomfort that is often experienced during pregnancy.

Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Technique

 An effective therapeutic technique to detect and treat Soft Tissue Injuries

Joint dysfunction and restrictions can often lead to tight and sore muscles.  Often during muscular tightness and joint restriction there is tension and inflammation of the tendons (the tissues that are responsible for attaching muscle to bone).

Chronically tight regions in muscles, tendons and ligaments often form small areas of scar tissue, referred to as an adhesion.  This is often what people are taking about when they say that they feel a “knot” in the muscle.  These adhesions create a physical barrier to proper movement and prevent the muscles and tendons from achieving their full, pain free range of motion. Over time, the inflammation cycle increases and the tight muscles and tendons become more inflamed and more scar tissue forms to protect the tendons and muscles from further damage.

Instrument assisted soft tissue technique works by breaking down the adhesions and scar tissue.  By breaking down this scar tissue, blood flow to the area is increased and adhered fibers are eliminated.  This allows for the proper formation of collagen to occur, which helps promote the healing process.

Specific conditions that are known to respond favorably to instrument assisted soft tissue therapy include:

•    Plantar Fasciitis
•    Achilles Tendonitis
•    Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
•    Fibromyalgia
•    Tennis elbow
•    Golfer's elbow
•    Shin splints
•    Post-surgical scarring

Functional Range Conditioning

Developed by world-renowned musculoskeletal expert Dr. Andreo Spina, Functional Range Conditioning, or FRC™, is a system of mobility training based in scientific principals and research. Mobility, defined as flexibility plus strength, refers to the amount of USABLE motion that one possesses across a particular articulation (joint). The more mobile a person is, the more they are able to maximize their movement potential safely, efficiently, and effectively.

Nutrition Counselling

Nutrition plays an important role in our health and wellness.  A balanced healthy diet provides the building blocks for a healthy mind, body and nervous system.  "Bad" foods are a chemical stress that may result in inflammation and oxidative stress effecting the body in far reaching ways.  "Good" foods can reduce inflammation and oxidative stress, promote healing and vitality. 

Exercise Rehab

Exercise rehabilitation is an important part of the treatment for many conditions. This includes the spectrum of people from an athlete with a shoulder impingement problem, to a new mom with lower back pain. Exercise rehabilitation is also used effectively in helping injured workers return to the workforce, people suffering from arthritis and people recovering from orthopaedic and even general surgery.

Stress Reduction

Critical in today’s fast paced world and stressful situations we find ourselves in.  Being mindful can increase energy, reduce pain, anxiety and depression, improve cognitive function, increase gray matter.