Chiropractors are one of the largest primary-contact health care professions in Ontario. The care is a non-invasive, hands-on health care profession that diagnoses, treats, and helps and ultimately prevents disorders and conditions related to the spine, nervous and musculoskeletal system.

QUALIFICATIONS

A Doctor of Chiropractic has undergone a minimum of three years of undergraduate education; four years full-time academic and clinical study at a Chiropractic institution, including a one-year internship. A chiropractor does not prescribe drugs, but may make a referral to medical specialists for such treatment if appropriate.

APPROACH

Doctors of chiropractic use a combination of treatments, all of which are predicated on the specific needs of the individual patient. This includes:

Taking a thorough history, physical and diagnosing a patient’s area of complaint.

Developing and carrying out a comprehensive and individualized treatment plan.

Chiropractors believe in treating the individual as a whole and focus on how a patient’s musculoskeletal and nervous system function in relation to the whole body. The individual treatment plan may incorporate:

Chiropractic adjustments or mobilizations of the affected joint
Soft tissue release techniques
Cold laser, IFC or ultrasound, acupuncture and rehabilitative exercise

Chiropractic care is a very cost effective approach to treating both neck and back pain. Back pain is the leading cause of:

Medical visits and hospitalizations
Restricted physical activity
Use of prescription (and non-prescription) drugs

Low back pain affects 85% of working populations and 50% of sufferers claim back pain affects their quality of life and limits recreational activities.

Massage therapy is the manipulation of soft tissues of the body including, muscles, connective tissues, tendons, ligaments and joints. Massage Therapy is a clinically-oriented healthcare option that helps alleviate the discomfort associated with every day and occupational stresses, muscular over-use and many chronic pain conditions. Massage therapy should be provided by a Registered Massage Therapist (RMT). An RMT is registered with the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario, in accordance with the Regulated Health Professionals Act and the Massage Therapy Act. Massage therapy can be used to treat both acute and chronic conditions. RMTs can work with a variety of patient in the treatment of illness, injury rehabilitation and disability. Massage therapy can be beneficial to a wide variety of acute and chronic conditions

BENEFITS
The benefits of massage therapy include:

Improving joint mobility
Improving circulation
Improving lymphatic drainage
Reducing muscular tension
Reducing or eliminating pain

Massage therapy is also known for treating:

Inflammatory conditions such as arthritis and tendinitis
Stress relief and associated conditions
Headaches and migraines
Muscle and related conditions such as spasms, strains and sprains
Back pain
Repetitive strain injury
Circulatory and respiratory problems
Pregnancy and labour discomfort
Post-injury and post-surgical rehabilitation
Many other conditions.

Osteopathy is the practice of restoring motion to all parts of the body so as to regain healthy function. Osteopathy is a drug-free, non-invasive manual therapy that aims to improve health across all body systems by manipulating and strengthening the musculoskeletal framework. Osteopathic treatment focuses on the joints, muscles, and spine aiming to positively affect the body’s nervous, circulatory and lymphatic systems. This includes:

Joint and soft tissue motion

Cranial, visceral and nervous system motion

The normal flow of blood and lymph to ensure the delivery of nutrition and oxygen and the removal of toxins
Past injuries and chronically stressful circumstances can put a body in restrictive patterns of function which limit how the body can deal with daily stresses and new injuries. Osteopathic manual practitioners use safe, gentle and precise techniques to:

Restore motion
Alleviate strain
Reduce pain
Restore a restful state to promote healing and bring the body into a healthy balance

Osteopathic philosophy views the body as a living, biological and integrated functioning organism. Osteopathy also recognizes that the body is a dynamic form that is intimately integrated with a life force that expresses our vitality and zest for life. Osteopathy is uniquely positioned to understand the body in a modern medical perspective and yet offer a natural alternative to pain relief without using pills or needles. The holistic approach of osteopathy is unparalleled.

OSTEOPATHIC TREATMENT METHODS INCLUDE:

Soft tissue manipulation
The osteopathic articular technique
Cranial osteopathy
Visceral manipulation

Combining their in-depth knowledge of the body and how it works with specialized hands-on clinical skills to assess, diagnose and treat symptoms of illness, injury or disability – Physiotherapists are play a significant role in health promotion and treatment of injury and disease. All physiotherapists registered to practise in Canada are qualified to provide safe and effective physiotherapy. Each must:

Have met national entry-level education and practice standards

Have successfully passed a standardized physiotherapy competence examination prior to being registered with the college of physiotherapists in their province/territory

IMPROVING YOUR QUALITY OF LIFE

Physiotherapy is a client-focused health profession dedicated to improving quality of life by:

Promoting optimal mobility, physical activity and overall health and wellness
Preventing disease, injury, and disability

Managing acute and chronic conditions, activity limitations, and participation restrictions

Improving and maintaining optimal functional independence and physical performance

Rehabilitating injury and the effects of disease or disability with therapeutic exercise programs and other interventions

Educating and planning maintenance and support programs to prevent re-occurrence, re-injury or functional decline

Naturopathic doctors (ND) are primary care providers that are medically trained and naturally focused. Blending modern medical practices with traditional healing philosophies, the scope of naturopathic medicine is the most extensive of any complementary healthcare provider in Ontario with access to conventional lab testing, prescribing privileges on select bioidentical hormones and therapeutic vitamins, and with comprehensive training in the use of a variety of natural healing therapies.

Similar to a visit with a medical doctor, a visit with an ND involves a complete health intake, physical exams, and lab testing to adequately assess and diagnose your health concerns. While treatments with prescription medications are beyond the scope of naturopathic medicine in Ontario, NDs are required to study the use and effectiveness of pharmaceuticals and how they interact with supplements, herbs, and nutrients. With this knowledge, ND’s work to safely integrate natural treatments with conventional ones. As such, ND’s work as part of your health care team to ensure your health concerns are addressed and treated safely and effectively.

What set’s naturopathic medicine apart from conventional medicine is in the approach and treatment. ND’s use a holistic approach that assesses the whole person and take the time to consider the physical, mental, emotional, genetic, social, and environmental factors as contributing to the overall health of each individual. Rather than treating disease, ND’s treat the individual and recognize that each person expresses illness differently. Treatment plans are carefully crafted with the aim to identify and remove the underlying cause of the illness to facilitate the natural healing process - beyond than the suppression of symptoms. ND’s also emphasize disease prevention and empower patients with the knowledge needed to take responsibility in optimizing their health.

NDs require rigorous training that includes a bachelor degree with medical pre-requisites followed by a four year degree at an accredited naturopathic medical college. To qualify for licencing, NDs must have successfully completed entry-to-practice examinations and require continuing education credits on an ongoing basis to maintain licensure. As a regulated health profession in Ontario, all naturopathic doctors must be registered and in good standing with the provincial regulatory body, College of Naturopaths of Ontario (CONO) under the Naturopathy Act (2007) to ensure all NDs have the knowledge, skills, and judgement to maintain their roles.

Naturopathic treatments include:

• Acupuncture & Asian Medicine
• Botanical Medicine
• Nutrition and Nutraceuticals
• Homeopathic Medicine
• Lifestyle counselling

Kinesiology is the scientific study of human movement, performance and function. The practice of kinesiology incorporates the sciences of biomechanics, anatomy and physiology and considers neuroscience and psychosocial factors. Kinesiologists use evidence-based research to treat and prevent injury and disease and to improve movement and performance. Kinesiologists work with people of all ages and physical abilities in many settings to help them achieve their health and wellness goals and improve their quality of life. Some areas of kinesiology practice include:
- Health promotion
- Injury rehabilitation
- Chronic disease management
- Ergonomics and workplace safety
- Fitness and athletics
- Return to work planning and disability management
- Public health