Chiropractic is a health care profession that focuses on disorders of the nervous system and musculoskeletal system, and the effects of these disorders on overall health.

Chiropractic is a natural, non-invasive approach that improves the function of the body through hands-on treatment.

Chiropractors are doctors specializing in the nerves, muscles, bones and joints of the body.  These tissues make up the musculo-skeletal and nervous systems and their proper function is necessary for overall good health. 

Chiropractic is one of the largest primary-contact health care professions in Canada with over 6500 chiropractors.  Approximately four and a half million Canadians see a chiropractor each year.

Common conditions our office provides care for:

• Spine problems(Neck, mid- and low-back pain)        
• Arm/leg/foot pain
• Headaches, migraines
• Whiplash, motor vehicle accidents
• Repetitive Strain Injuries (carpal tunnel, golfer’s/tennis elbow, rotator cuff)
• Sports injuries
• Pregnancy related concerns
• Pediatric Chiropractic
• Sciatica
• Arthritis
• Pregnancy related concerns

For more information about chiropractic visit www.albertachiro.com

Why do infants and children need adjustments?

Mothers who receive chiropractic care during their pregnancies often have their babies' spine checked by a chiropractor.  Forceps, vacuum extraction and difficult deliveries can provide incredible stress to the developing spine which may result in pain or discomfort for the infant.  The infant reacts to this as a colicky, fussy baby, which can be misinterpreted as a digestive disorder.

Other childhood conditions such as ear infections, allergies and headaches can benefit from natural sinus and ear treatment by your chiropractor.

Older children and teens will often come to our office after a fall or sports injury, for scoliosis screening, or for conditions common to adolescents such as migraine headaches. 

How do chiropractors adjust infants and children?

Newborn adjustments are very gentle.  As a rule, no more pressure than you would use to test the ripeness of a tomato is involved. Adjustments can be done with our hands or with the Activator instrument.  Adjusting techniques are modified for each person's size and unique spinal condition. Older children and teens are often adjusted with similar, modified techniques used with adults.  This makes a child's chiropractic adjustment both comfortable and effective.

Acupuncture has been an integral part of Chinese medicine for over 4000 years.  Practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine believe that Energy, or Qi, flows along specific channels in the body.  Needles are inserted at special points on these channels to change the function of the body.

Acupuncture causes the body to release natural pain relievers and other substances which can relax muscles and promote healing.  Acupuncture is very effective for treating injuries through stimulation of the nervous system and immune system.

Acupuncture needles are much smaller than those used to give medication, so there is minimal discomfort with treatment.  Most people find it very relaxing.  For those who have a phobia of needles, Dr. Phillips also provides needle-free laser acupuncture.

Acupuncture is very effective for a variety of conditions, such as strains, sprains, arthritis, headache, neck pain, back pain, rotator cuff injuries, carpal tunnel, tennis and golfer’s elbiow, and TMJ problems.  It can also be used for fibromyalgia, menstrual pain, irritable bowel, and smoking cessation.

Active Release Techniques (ART) is a hands-on system that diagnoses and treats many soft tissue injuries.  Soft tissue is muscle, ligaments, fascia and nerves.  More specifically, ART is extremely effective at treating injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome, tennis elbow, whiplash, rotator cuff strain and many more.  Many conditions take only 3-6 treatments to resolve.  ART is effective with chronic as well as acute conditions.

How does Active Release Techniques work?

Trauma to soft tissue will cause scar tissue and adhesions to develop.  Sometimes these scars and adhesions cause irritation to other soft tissue in the area and then cause pain.  ART treats these areas by applying a precise amount of pressure and moving the tissue in a particular motion.  This not only obliterates scar tissue but also releases nerves that that can be irritated by being caught in adhesions caused by trauma.

Theralase therapeutic laser treatments provide patients with a safe, effective and painless therapy that uses the body's own natural healing systems to relieve pain, increase joint mobility, increase tissue integrity and promote cell regeneration.

Cold laser is a non-invasive, non-toxic treatment methodology that is able to be used for numerous types of acute and chronic pain. 

All light has an effect on the cells of the human body. What that effect is shall be determined by the wavelengths of light applied. The cold laser produces a beam of light that has a specific wavelength and frequency. When the light of the Laser is applied around the knee joint the electromagnetic energy is converted to chemical energy within each cell which sets in motion a chain of chemical reactions allowing the healing process to begin. This chemical reaction in the cell allows several things to occur:

• Stimulates healing and repair of tissue
• Increases tissue strength
• Reduces pain
• Reduces swelling/inflammation
• Promotes faster wound healing
• Stimulates nerve function
• Promotes cellular oxygenation/detoxification

Treatable Conditions

• Knee pain
• Low back pain
• Neck pain
• Arthritis
• Heel pain
• Shoulder pain
• Tennis/Golfer's elbow
• Tendinitis
• Sprains/strains
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Hip pain
• Wound healing
• Diabetic ulcers
• Post operative healing - eg. knee scopes and replacements, rotator cuff surgery

For more information go to www.theralase.com

Massage therapy benefits people of all ages and activity levels.  It is often used for relaxation purposes, and can play an integral role in the recovery of muscle and soft tissue injury.  

During a session, our registered massage therapist will apply pressure to muscles of your body, which improves blood circulation.  Massage therapy restores proper function to your muscles and enhances the healing process.  Sessions generally range from a half hour to one and a half hours in duration.     

Registered Massage Therapy is reimbursed by many extended health care plans.  Let Active Chiropractic massage therapy improve your health!

Did you know that most private insurance plans will reimburse you for custom orthotics?  Please check with your insurance provider.

Many people experience pain caused by abnormal foot biomechanics (the way your feet move and function). Problems with your feet can result in pain in the heel, knee, hip, and back.

Custom foot orthotics are inserts for your shoes that improve foot function.  Orthotics gently and consistently place the foot in its proper position.  This relieves foot pressure points, restores proper arches, and reduces strain on the legs, hips, and spine.

Custom foot orthotics are created by taking impressions of your feet in a position which reveals their proper shape and structure.  Orthotic inserts specific to your foot impression can be made to fit a variety of footwear, including casual, running, soccer, and dress shoes, work boots, ski boots and skates.  Custom made footwear with a built-in orthotic are available as sandals, shoes, and workboots, in a variety of styles and colours.

The custom made footwear with orthotic inserts that are availabe at our office can be viewed at:

http://www.theorthoticgroup.com/TOG-Products.html

www.oolab.com

Brief Paperwork
Upon entering the office you will be greeted by our friendly and helpful staff. Robyn or Janice will have some brief paperwork for you to complete. The paperwork provides us with important information about you and your condition and will help with our diagnoses.

Let us know if a friend or family member referred you to our office so we can properly thank them and enter their name in our monthly prize draw.

Save time by printing and completing your intake forms before you arrive:

Consultation
Once the paperwork has been completed, you will have a consultation with the doctor to discuss your health-related problems, concerns, as well as treatment options.

History and Examination
In order to determine what your actual problem is, the doctor will take a complete health history and specific questions related to your condition. Next, a number of specialized tests will be performed so that your chiropractor can properly diagnose the problem.

X-rays and Diagnostic Imaging
Your health concern may require us to take x-rays to either rule out more serious conditions or assist us in developing the most effective treatment plan for you. Chiropractors can refer you directly for Xrays, CT scans, MRI, bone scans, or bone densitometry, if warranted.

Treatment
Once the history, examination, and any other tests have been reviewed, your chiropractor will discuss the findings, your diagnosis, and how this problem can best be managed.  If your case is appropriate for chiropractic treatment, treatment may begin.  Otherwise, you will be referred to another appropriate health care provider. Treatment may include spinal adjustments, physical therapies, and/or soft tissue therapies.  Different chiropractic techniques, such as low-force adjusting and Activator adjustments are available to suit your individual needs.

We will not just treat your symptoms.  Rather, we will attempt to correct the cause of your symptoms.  With that corrected, you can rely on the body to heal itself.

Home Instructions
Prior to leaving, patients will be given instructions on certain activities or procedures to be conducted at home. This may include ice or heat application, home exercises and/or stretches, as well as avoidance of certain activities or positions.  You will also be instructed to drink plenty of water.

Schedule Your Next Appointment
You will be given a convenient time for your follow-up visit. Generally speaking, patients are seen within 1-2 days and are provided with a complete review of findings. A treatment plan will be discussed with you during this time.