Chiropractic Care

What Is a Chiropractor?

A Doctor of Chiropractic has studied for four years at an accredited chiropractic institution, receiving more than 4,200 hours of specialized clinical training.

Upon completion of this training, chiropractors possess the skills to develop a comprehensive treatment plan for patients and recommend therapeutic exercise and other non-invasive therapies. Chiropractors use hands-on techniques to treat and prevent disorders related to the spine, pelvis, nervous system and extremity joints.

Conditions We Treat

• Co-existing medical constraints that involve myofascial tissue, tendons and ligaments, and neural tissue.
• Muscle tightness or repetitive strain disorders (from sport or health conditions).
• Muscle or joint pain (such as neck, back, shoulders, elbows, hips, knees).
• Tension headaches.
• Degenerative disc disease.
• Repetitive strain injuries (tennis/golfer’s elbow, carpal tunnel syndrome).
• Acute/chronic tendonitis.
• Muscle strains/ligament sprains (i.e., ankle sprains, hamstring strains).
• Postural strain/muscular imbalances.
• Whiplash and other MVA-related disorders.
• Running injuries.
• Plantar fasciitis.
• Piriformis syndrome and other nerve entrapments.
• Osteoarthritis of the spine and extremities.
• Many more.

Our chiropractors encourage you to become an active participant in your recovery plan. We work closely with you to improve your ability to move as you recover from illness, disease, injury or long periods of inactivity.

Treatment Techniques

Depending on your needs, treatment techniques alone or in combination may include:

• The Graston Technique® and the A.R.T. (Active Release Technique®): A non-invasive, highly effective, modern approach to healing. Graston Technique uses specially designed treatment instruments to improve improper musculoskeletal mechanics, isolate major and minor fibrotic changes and identify potential co-existing conditions.
• Joint manipulation with a multitude of other soft-tissue techniques: Our trained specialists evaluate the texture, tightness and movement of the muscles, tendons, ligaments and nerves in a problem area, and then create a plan to reduce pain while your body heals naturally.
• Acupuncture: Chiropractors will use acupuncture needles to help alleviate pain and improve blood circulation to encourage the body's natural healing response. Acupuncture is successful in reducing stress, muscle tension and providing pain relief.
• Game Ready® MED4 Elite hot and cold compression system: A state-of-the-art device that uses iceless cold, controllable heat, rapid contrast, and active compression therapies to reduce pain, control edema or swelling, encourage arterial blood flow, improve range of motion, and accelerate the body’s natural healing mechanisms.

Am I Covered?

Chiropractic care is not covered by OHIP, though may be partially or fully covered by extended health insurance plans. The coverage for each carrier is different; please check your plan to see what coverage is available for this type of service.

Lumbar Stenosis Program

Degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis is a type of arthritis that affects the lower spine and is one of the most common causes of disability and loss of independence in the elderly. As we age, some of us develop extensive arthritis, which can lead to thickening of the spinal joints and thinning of the spinal discs. This can cause a narrowing of the spinal canals. Narrowed canals can lead to compression of the spinal nerves that travel through the canals to the lower back and legs.

What treatments are currently available?

Surgery is an option for only a minority of people with lumbar stenosis because of the potential risks involved with surgery in the older population. Among those who have surgery, the results are usually positive but the benefits slowly diminish over time. It is recommended that before surgery is considered, a course of non-surgical treatment is attempted.

About the program

Developed by Dr. Carlo Ammendolia, the lumbar stenosis bootcamp aims to improve quality of life and maintain independence for the growing number of people who have lumbar spinal stenosis. The program combines manual therapy, special exercises, instruction on body re-positioning techniques, and self-management strategies. Special exercises help restore weak back and leg muscles and, when combined with body alignment strategies, will help to reduce the pressure on the compressed nerves when standing and walking.

Lumbar spinal stenosis is a chronic problem, and learning how to live more effectively with it using self-management strategies allows you to become more in control and therefore better able to cope.

Questions?

If you would like to speak with our team, please email stenosis@ccf.org, and we will be happy to answer any questions you have about our program.