Chiropractic | Active Release Technique (ART®) | Acupuncture | Rehabilitation and Physical Therapy | Foot Pain and Custom Orthotics | Dizziness Clinic
Doctors of Chiropractic, or Chiropractors, diagnose, treat and prevent mechanical disorders of the joints, muscles and nerves of the body. Most people think of chiropractors when it comes to treating conditions such and headache, neck and back pain but chiropractors treat problems all over the body, including ankle sprains, arthritis of the knee, carpal tunnel syndrome and shin splints.
Research shows chiropractic care is safe and effective. Chiropractors use a variety of manual therapies including soft tissue therapy, acupuncture, stretches, exercise, ultrasound, and joint mobilizations and joint adjustments.
Chiropractors study for at least seven years. Chiropractic college is a four year programme and students must have completed at least three years of university education prior to this. In fact most chiropractors already have at least one university degree before they start chiropractic school.
You do not need a referral from a medical doctor to see a chiropractor. Chiropractors are primary health care providers. This means you can just call up for an appointment. Treatments are covered by most extended health care insurance plans.
Active Release Technique is a specialized technique that treats problems of the muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia and nerves. Developed by a chiropractor, ART is popular with professional athletes. This soft tissue therapy treats overuse conditions that are acute such as sprains and strains and chronic conditions such as nerve entrapments like carpal tunnel syndrome.
The ART provider uses his or her hands to evaluate the texture, tightness and movement of muscles, fascia, tendons, ligaments and nerves. Abnormal tissues are treated by combining precisely directed tension with very specific patient movements.
Practitioners are certified and must re-certify annually to maintain their registration.
Used for thousands of years, acupuncture involves the stimulation of specific sites on the body to balance the vital energy of the body known as Qi (pronounced "chi"). Most people feel little if any discomfort from the thin, sterile, single-use needles and often report a feeling of relaxation and well-being after treatment.
Research has shown acupuncture to be effective in the treatment of a variety of conditions such as:
Acupuncture regulates the nervous system, affecting the activity of pain-killing biochemicals such as endorphins and immune system cells at specific sites in the body. Studies show that acupuncture may alter brain chemistry by changing the release of neurotransmitters and neurohormones affecting sensation, immune reactions and blood pressure, blood flow, and body temperature.
Dr. Tracy Kish uses a combination of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western medical acupuncture.
Following an injury or surgery, there is often a loss of strength, endurance or range of motion. This is the case with both traumatic injuries such as whiplash or ankle sprains as well as those conditions that develop over a long period of time like cumulative trauma disorders such as carpal tunnel syndrome.
Comprehensive treatment should include treating the symptoms as well as correcting the functional problems that have resulted. Symptom management can include therapies such as Active Release Technique®, acupuncture, and joint adjustments. Functional rehabilitation can also help prevent recurrence of problems such as low back pain.
Working closely with surgeons at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Dr. Kish helps manage patients following hip and knee joint replacement surgery.
Several painful conditions of the foot, ankle, knee, leg and low back can be the result of improper foot biomechanics. If you have tired, aching feet or problems in your ankles, knees or low back you may benefit from custom orthotics. Conditions that can be treated with orthotics include:
Custom foot orthotics work by changing the way your foot absorbs force when you walk. They act to correct poor biomechanics in the foot that can lead to pain and dysfunction. Custom orthotics are made specifically for your foot to correct your problem. Orthotics can be made to slip into your dress, casual or sport shoes or you can choose from a wide selection of shoes in the office that can be made with custom footbeds. Orthotics are usually covered by your extended health care plan.
Dizziness due to inner ear disorders can cause needless disability. Often, simple exercises and rehabilitation along with non-invasive treatment can greatly reduce the amount of dizziness and improve balance.
Inner ear infections, loose debris within the balance organs of the inner ear and aging can all affect balance and can cause dizziness or vertigo. A careful assessment can help determine the cause of inner ear related dizziness. Conditions such as Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo and vestibular neuronitis or labrynthitis respond well to treatment and rehabilitation resulting in decreased severity and frequency of dizziness and nausea, improved balance and increased ability to function normally.