Chiropractic is the science, art and philosophy that restores and maintains a properly functioning nervous system, without the use of drugs or surgery. Chiropractic is based on the scientific fact that your body is a self-regulating, self-healing organism. Every function in your body is controlled by the brain, spinal cord, and all the nerves of the body. Your nervous system is so incredibly important but is also very delicate. This is why your spine and your skull surround your brain and spinal cord to try and keep it protected. However, your spine can become misaligned and even damaged. This can result in pressure being placed onto the delicate nerves and spinal cord. These misaligments that have put pressure onto your nervous system is what Chiropractors call a Vertebral Subluxation Complex. These spinal subluxations can cause a disruption in your nervous system, leading to decrease function and even sometimes pain. Chiropractors use spinal adjustments to correct these subluxations to remove pressure off of your nervous system. The removal of this pressure on the nervous system is what allows your body to do what it needs to do - heal itself.

Chiropractors work to restore your nervous system to it's optimal state of function. This is done through the correction of Vertebral Subluxations with a Chiropractic Adjustment. Chiropractic adjustments have been shown to increase motion, reduce swelling, increase spinal alignment, decrease pain, and remove nerve irritation.

In our office, we have three different stages of Chiropractic Care. The first is Initial Intensive Care. This phase of care is primarily focused on getting your spine up to speed as well as making you feel better. This phase of care is usually higher in frequency of visits but relatively short in length. The second phase of care is Reconstructive Care. This is where the real work begins. In this phase, we are correcting the underlying issues that brought you into our office. The frequency for adjustments in this phase is lower than in Initial Intensive Care but the length of this phase of care is typically much longer. The third and best phase of care is Wellness Care. In this phase of care, we are maintaining all that progress you made in Reconstructive Care. In this phase of care, you are now in your most optimal state and our goal is to keep you there. The frequency in this phase is even much less than Reconstructive Care. The duration of this phase is ultimately up to you and how long you want to maintain a healthy spine.

A Chiropractic Adjustment is the art of using a specific force in a specific direction to a spinal vertebrae. This adjustment acts to restore normal motion to the spine, improve it's spinal alignment and to reduce nerve pressure or irritation. There are many different types of Chiropractic Adjustments utilizing different Chiropractic techniques. At our clinic, Dr. Hannikainen uses many different adjusting techniques to match the best adjustment for each patient.

No. Just like each and everyone of you are different, so is an adjustment. At our clinic, we have many adjustment techniques we use to best match a technique to each patient. Although each visit may seem similar. There are differences between them and each of your adjustments help to build upon your previous adjustments to help you be the best version of you.

Most patients describe adjustments as relieving rather than painful. You may feel slight pressure or movement during the adjustment, but techniques are controlled and tailored to your comfort level. A small percentage of patients can feel a bit sore a few hours after an adjustments. Our patients describe this soreness like they had done a workout. This is totally fine, your spine is finally moving correctly again and you are holding your posture in a better way now...which your body may treat as if it had a workout.

The sound is simply gas releasing from the joint as pressure changes. It is not bones cracking. Not all adjustments produce a sound, and a sound is not required for an effective adjustment.

Your first two appointments are the longest. Your first appointment, the Initial Exam, takes approximately 45min. We perform a very thorough Chiropractic Exam and History. Depending on those results, we may send you for x-rays. Your second appointment is the longest. This is your Report of Findings day. This is where we go through your x-rays, give you our best recommendations and begin your Chiropractic adjustments. This appointment can take up to 75min. From there, regular Chiropractic Adjustments are relatively short. You are often in our office for only 5-10min. Our patients love this as it becomes easier to schedule for those with busy lifestyles.

No referral is required to see a chiropractor in Ontario. You can book directly with our clinic. Many extended health benefit plans cover chiropractic care without a doctor’s referral, but we recommend checking your individual policy.

Yes! Chiropractic Care is very safe! Chiropractic care is regulated in Ontario and chiropractors undergo extensive education and licensing. At our clinic, we tailor techniques to the individual and use a gentle, controlled approach based on your comfort level and health history.

It depends. Each person is unique and has a different history. Some patients have let their spinal issues build up for many many years (or sometimes decades) before they decide to seek care. This can take a long time to work through all those layers of built up damage. One thing our patients love about us is that at your Report of Findings, we tell you exactly how long it will take. No guesswork, no dragging you along, just being honest and upfront with you so you know what you need to do.

Yes. Prolonged sitting and forward head posture can increase strain on the neck, upper back, and shoulders. This is one of the most common issues we see in our clinic.