What is Chiropractic?
The word Chiropractic is Greek in origin and means done by hand. Chiropractors are specialists in manual adjustments of the spine and joints. It is a non-invasive, hands-on therapy that focuses on the neuromusculoskeletal system.
Chiropractors are most commonly known to provide “adjustments,” or “spinal manipulation,” which are terms used to describe the precise movement applied by hand to a joint in order to loosen, or restore its mobility and optimize function.
Chiropractors are trained to deliver a wide variety of complimentary techniques in addition to spinal manipulation. At Woodbridge Avenue Chiropractic & Wellness Centre, we are proud to practice a hands-on, drug-free approach. Some of our other chiropractic services include TENS (Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation), Ultrasound, Electrical Muscle Stimulation, Trigger Point Therapy, Postural Correction, Heat/Ice therapy, and Stretching/Strengthening Exercises among others. In addition, Dr. Villani has received specialty training in Active Release Technique, SpiderTech Kinesiotaping and Contemporary Medical Acupuncture.
There are a number of indications for chiropractic care, some of which include back and neck pain, joint pain, headaches, strains/sprains, repetitive strain injury, work and sports-related injuries, whiplash/motor vehicle accident injuries, arthritis, sciatica, degenerative disc disease/disc herniation, leg swelling/poor circulation and tendonitis/bursitis. A chiropractor may provide the primary treatment for a given condition, or provide complimentary care to medical treatment.
Benefits of Chiropractic Care:
At Woodbridge Avenue Chiropractic & Wellness Centre, we strive to help you attain and maintain your wellness goals. Chiropractic care can help achieve the following: improve posture, decrease pain and muscle spasms, decrease inflammation, increase range of motion and flexibility, enhance athletic performance, correct gait and foot conditions, prevent or rehabilitate from work-related muscle and joint injuries, provide relief from headaches, neck, and back pain, and relieve pregnancy-related back ache.
Stages of Care:
Relief Care:
This type of care is provided to relieve immediate pain and discomfort. Depending on your condition, a few or several visits may be necessary.
Corrective Care:
This type of care treats conditions that are more severe or reoccurring. These may require a longer period of care. Once the severity has decreased through relief care, corrective care helps to restore function to your spine, muscles, and nerves.
Maintenance or Wellness Care:
This type of care helps you maintain the benefits you’ve achieved from relief and corrective care. Having periodic spinal check-ups and treatments, if needed, will keep your spine as healthy as possible!
What can I expect on my first visit?
Dr. Villani will work with you to obtain a complete understanding of your health in order to provide the best possible treatment for you. This begins with taking a complete health and lifestyle history and physical examination, which involves a number of manoeuvers including specific neurologic and orthopaedic tests. Once a diagnosis is made, your specific management plan will be discussed and treatment will begin after reviewing informed consent. This may involve chiropractic care on its own, or she may also recommend multidisciplinary care from our physiotherapist, massage therapist or from our chiropodist. If Dr. Villani diagnoses a condition more appropriately treated by another health care professional, she will be happy to arrange a referral.
Set aside at least 45-60 minutes for your first visit and 20-30 minutes for subsequent visits, depending on your condition. It is a good idea to wear comfortable clothes for your visit. We provide gowns for your comfort and to facilitate examination.
About Chiropractic Training
Chiropractic is a regulated health profession. A doctor of chiropractic has spent 4 years in chiropractic school as well as undergraduate university prior to this. They must pass national qualifying examinations and be provincially licensed in order to practice in Canada. They are trained to provide a diagnosis, treatment, and management plan, and they also recommend therapeutic exercises and provide nutritional and lifestyle counselling. Chiropractors practice evidence-based care using a combination of treatments, depending on the specific needs of the patient.
Chiropractic Hours:
Monday & Wednesday: 10am-7pm
Tuesday: 10am-6pm
Friday: 10am-1pm