Chiropractic

Our Doctors of Chiropractic are highly skilled at correctly diagnosing and treating conditions of the nervous system, muscles and joints of the body. Their training involves over 8 years of post-secondary education and multiple degrees, solidifying their expertise in spinal health and complete knowledge of anatomy and physiology. Chiropractors are the most skilled professionals in providing adjustments or spinal manipulative therapy (SMT). Our years of training in this technique allows us to provide highly precise interventions to correct restricted joints in the spine and other areas of the body. Adjustments restore the normal motion and function of the joint and improves the integrity of the nervous system. We offer a comprehensive approach to treatment which may include adjustments (spinal manipulation), soft tissue therapies such as Active Release Techniques, acupuncture, specific rehabilitation exercises, and nutritional and lifestyle counseling. We respect the interdependent nature of the body and always take a “top to toe” approach in our assessment and diagnosis.

Areas of Advanced Training

• Low Back Pain
• Disc Herniation and Sciatica
• Neck Pain
• Headache, including migraine
• Dizziness and Vertigo
• Numbness and tingling
• Safe and effective Pre- and Postnatal Care
• Gentle and safe care for infants and children
• Youth Athletes
• Work and sports injuries
• Postural Changes
• Health maintenance and prevention

You don’t need a referral to see a chiropractor as we are one of the few professions qualified to be “primary-contact”. This means we have been thoroughly trained to assess a full range of conditions and if chiropractic isn’t the optimal solution to your problem, we refer you to the right professional who will be able to help.

Physiotherapy

Massage Therapy

Our Registered Massage Therapists are highly skilled at using their hands to assess and treat conditions of the muscles, ligaments, tendons and joints. Training in anatomy and physiology and hands-on clinical experience allows your RMT to feel your problem areas and release the tension and physical dysfunctions causing discomfort. Massage therapy reduces muscle tension, improves function, and allows the body to move as it is supposed to. Massage Therapy is also a fantastic compliment to chiropractic and physiotherapy, and regular massage therapy can help keep your body functioning well and prevent pain and injury.

Advanced Massage Therapy Offered:

• Pre and Postnatal
• Pediatric / Youth
• Sport Injury
• Pre/Post-surgical massage

Wondering if we know how to treat your condition? Give us a call or email us your questions.

Medical Acupuncture

Practitioners at Thrive Health have completed post-graduate certifications in Contemporary Medical Acupuncture and use it as part of their comprehensive approach. Although the practice of acupuncture is thousands of years old, the current and ongoing science behind it is extensive and based on muscular and neural anatomy and physiology. Acupuncture stimulates the natural healing mechanisms of the body. It is incredibly effective in calming muscle spasm and tension; relieving pain and inflammation; improving blood flow; and improving nerve function, essentially helping nerves and muscles to work more efficiently as they recover from injury. Although acupuncture uses very fine needles positioned in muscle, your treatment should be quite comfortable. We often utilize electro-acupuncture to improve the effects of the treatment session, and while this causes the muscle to twitch (which can feel weird at first!), it is actually quite calming and very effective. Our practitioners often use acupuncture as part of their treatment for:

• Back Pain
• Disc Herniation and Sciatica
• Neck Pain
• Headaches
• Numbness and tingling
• Shoulder and arm conditions
• Hip and knee conditions
• Sports injury rehabilitation

TCM Acupuncture

Registered Traditional Chinese Medicine Acupuncture is a holistic health approach that stems from Traditional Chinese Medicine, which originated in ancient China more than 2500 years ago.

TCM acupuncture can naturally treat a wide variety diseases, illnesses, pain, and stress-related symptomology without the unwanted side-effects of medication. Common conditions treated with acupuncture include fertility concerns, prostatitis, digestive issues, arthritis, altered menstruation, and chronic pain among many others. A TCM Acupuncture assessment includes a thorough health history and analysis of pulses, the condition of the tongue, and other TCM diagnostic strategies. This leads to a diagnosis about your internal health which guides the acupuncture treatment. Although needles are used in acupuncture, treatments are usually pain-free and very comfortable.

Our TCM acupuncturist uses other holistic, supportive techniques during treatments such as qi gong, cupping, guasha, moxibustion, massage therapy, as well as various mind and body practices. Nutritional counseling is also a key component of treatment through observation of the therapeutic temperatures of food and how this affects the body.

TCM Acupuncture is covered by most third-party health benefits.

Moxibustion

This is a TCM Acupuncture treatment which usually involves the burning of a dried herb called Mugwort. When lit, it is held above or placed directly on the skin at specific acupuncture points. It is used to relieve pain and congestion and also provides an anesthetic effect. Pieces of heated ginger are used to treat stomachache, vomiting and diarrhea, as well as rheumatic pain; garlic is applied in respiratory disorders; and salt is used to stimulate the abdominal organs.

Fire Cupping

This treatment is a very old style of medicine and is part of TCM Acupuncture, although it can be used as a stand-alone therapy. It is one of the best deep-tissue therapies available and can loosen muscles, encourage blood flow, and relax the nervous system. Cupping is used to relieve back and neck pain, stiff muscles, anxiety, fatigue, migraines, rheumatism, and many other conditions. As part of TCM Acupuncture, cupping can be used to address issues in the meridians of the body.

During a fire cupping treatment, the air inside special glass cups is heated briefly with a flame. As the flame goes out, the cups are placed upside down on your skin. As the air inside the cup cools, it creates a vacuum. This causes your skin to rise and redden as your blood vessels expand. The cup is generally left in place for a few minutes or removed off and on quickly. Once the suction has occurred, the cups can be gently moved across the skin. Massage oils are sometimes applied to improve movement of the glass cups along the skin. Rather than applying pressure downwards into muscles, cupping uses gentle pressure to pull them upward. For most patients, this is a particularly relaxing and relieving sensation.

Soft Tissue Therapy

Myofascial Release Techniques

Our practitioners use a state-of-the-art movement-based tissue release protocol that requires post-graduate training. It is used to break down adhesions (scar tissue) that form from injury, prolonged repetitive postures, and overuse. These adhesions trap nerves and bind muscle movement causing pain and dysfunction. Our practitioners trained in this technique use myofascial release as part of their comprehensive approach. The integration of muscle release with traditional Chiropractic adjustments results in a faster recovery from injury and helps prevents reoccurrence.

Graston / Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Therapy

Graston Technique® is a unique, evidence-based form of instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization that enables our practitioners to effectively and efficiently address soft tissue restrictions resulting in improved patient outcomes.

Graston Technique uses specially designed stainless-steel instruments with unique treatment edges and angles to deliver an effective means of manual therapy. The use of Graston Technique in combination with appropriate therapeutic exercise leads to the restoration of pain-free movement and function.

Here is list of some of the most common conditions treated with Graston Technique® therapy.

• Ankle Pain (Achilles Tendinosis/itis)
• Wrist Pain (Carpal Tunnel Syndrome)
• Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylosis/itis)
• Golfer’s Elbow (Medial Epicondylosis/itis)
• Knee Pain (Patellofemoral Disorders)
• Heel Pain (Plantar Fasciitis)
• Shoulder Pain (Rotator Cuff Tendinosis/itis)
• Scar Tissue
• Shin Splints
• Trigger Finger

Mobility Specialists

To prevent injury, all of your joints need to be able move through their full range of motion in a controlled way. Our chiropractors have completed training in Functional Range Conditioning and are Certified Mobility Specialists. This training enables them to provide recommendations that are specific to each patient to help them recover thoroughly and prevent future injury.

Laser Therapy

Laser is the most up-to-date and research supported healing technology and has become an extremely popular treatment for recent and chronic injuries. Using specific wavelengths of light, laser accelerates healing time by stimulating the injured tissue to regenerate while it reduces inflammation and pain. It is particularly effective for Arthritis, Sprains, Strains, and Tendonitis.

Clinical Benefits from Laser Therapy:

• Eliminates pain
• Reduces the need for pharmaceuticals
• Restores normal range of motion and physical function
• Non-invasive
• Non-toxic
• No known adverse effects
• No drug interactions
• Provides a treatment alternative for patients that have not responded to conventional therapies

Vibromax Therapeutics

Vibromax utilizes the effect of vibration along the kinetic chains to break down adhesions and scar tissues, decreasing pain, restoring function and enhancing performance with minimal discomfort to patients.

Custom Orthotics

Our professionals take a “top to toe” approach during your assessment because often the cause of injuries such as knee pain, hip pain, and low back pain can be related to dysfunction in your feet. Feet are really important as they are your foundation and effect the rest of your body with every step you take. At times, support from an orthotic (shoe insert) that is moulded and customized to you can be an essential component of your treatment plan.

Facial Acupuncture

Facial Acupuncture is a cosmetic treatment which is an extension of traditional acupuncture. It works naturally to help make the skin look brighter, younger and smoother, not only addressing the signs of aging, but also the skin’s overall health.

It works by creating positive microtraumas with tiny needles, which stimulate the skin to go into repair mode. They stimulate your lymphatic and circulatory system which deliver nutrients and oxygen to your skin, nourishing your complexion. They also stimulate the production of collagen which improves elasticity, minimizing fine lines and wrinkles.

Our TCM Acupuncturist recommends beginning with 10 treatments, once to twice a week to see optimum results, before maintaining your progress with a treatment every 4 to 8 weeks.