COVID-19 Update
We are still open and providing scheduled care.
We welcome you to wear a mask if you feel more comfortable. It is no longer mandatory to wear a mask. Please email us at portunionhealth@gmail.com for an appointment.
Thank you, and we hope to see you soon!
"Trusted and Proven Health Care"
Be Prepared for Your Chiropractic Care or Physiotherapy Appointment
Laying the foundation for total health
Chiropractic care is a bit like building a house - certain things have to happen in a particular order for everything to stand strong and work together. When building a house, if you tried to build your walls before you had a solid foundation, your walls would be weak and over time may collapse. If you tried to build your roof before the walls were ready, you would run into the same problem. These concepts apply to your body as well. If something is not right with your body's foundation, then that needs to be addressed before your overall health can be addressed. With chiropractic care, your body has to go through a particular plan of care in order to repair itself correctly and fully. Here are the three general phases of chiropractic care:
Phase 1: Relief Care
If you are in pain when you come into our Scarborough chiropractic office, our first objective is to help you reduce pain and start feeling better as soon as possible. Depending on the severity of the condition causing your pain, it is typical for a patient to need chiropractic care or adjustments 2-3 times per week for 4-12 weeks.
Most people are under the assumption that if they don't feel any pain there is nothing wrong with them. Unfortunately, pain is a very poor indicator of health. In fact, pain and other symptoms frequently only appear after a disease or other condition has advanced.
For example, consider a cavity in your tooth. Does it hurt when it first develops or only after it has become serious? How about heart disease? Regardless of whether you are talking about cancer, heart disease, diabetes, stress or problems with the spine, pain is usually the last thing to appear. When you begin chiropractic care, pain is also the first symptom to disappear, even though much of the underlying condition remains.
Phase 2: Corrective Care
During the corrective phase of chiropractic care, muscles and other tissues are allowed to heal more completely, which helps prevent further injury or pain. The goal of corrective or restorative chiropractic care is to help bring your body back to 100% mobility. It is typical to need chiropractic care or adjustments about 4-8 times per month for 6-24 months, depending on your overall health and the severity of your problem.
Most chiropractors regard the elimination of symptoms as the easiest part of a person’s care. If all that the chiropractor does is to reduce the pain and stop there, the chances of the condition recurring are much greater. In order to prevent a rapid recurrence of symptoms, it is necessary to continue receiving care even though your symptoms are gone.
Do not be discouraged if you have mild flare-ups in your symptoms on occasion. This is normal. Flare-ups are bound to occur during this phase because your body has not fully healed. Depending on the severity of your injury or condition, this phase of your care may last anywhere from a few months to a couple of years.
Phase 3: Wellness Care
Once your body has fully healed and you are no longer experiencing pain symptoms, it is important to come in for periodic chiropractic adjustments to avoid future problems. Usually, this phase of chiropractic care only requires a quick visit to the chiropractor 1-4 times per month based on your lifestyle and goals.
Just like continuing an exercise program and eating well in order to sustain the benefits of exercise and proper diet, it is necessary to continue chiropractic care to ensure the health of your musculoskeletal system. When you make routine chiropractic care a part of your lifestyle, you avoid many of the aches and pains that so many people suffer through. Your joints will last longer and you will be able to engage in more of the activities you love.
New Patient Forms - Required
Upon entering our office, our receptionist will welcome you as a member of our family. From here we’ll ask you to complete our patient forms. This paperwork provides us with your health history and information on your condition.
Alternatively, we offer our patient forms online so you can complete the form in the convenience of your own home or office, before arriving to our chiropractic office. Click here to download and print your new patient form. You’re welcome to print and complete the form or bring it with you to your appointment.
Examination
After your consultation, Dr. Steven Way will perform a complete chiropractic examination testing your reflexes and flexibility. Other standard neurological, orthopedic, postural and physical tests will be performed with your consent.
Consultation
Next, you will have a consultation with Dr. Steven Way to discuss your health-related problems, concerns, and potential treatment options. This initial visit is designed for Dr. Steven Way to learn more about you, your condition and your expectations. We want to determine how chiropractic care can meet your goals.
X-Ray Studies
Depending on your condition, we may also take X-rays. X-rays help us develop the most effective treatment plan for you and alert us of any serious spinal conditions.
Report of Findings
Once the information is collected and examinations are performed, Dr. Steven Way will give you a detailed report of all findings and answer any questions including:
- How can you help me?
- How often do I need to come in?
- What will my treatment cost?
After reviewing your health history, goals, and examining your spine and X-rays, Dr. Steven Way will discuss recommendations and notify you if your condition requires care from other providers.
Treatment
At the end of your consultation, you can choose to have your first treatment. This may include spinal adjustments, physical therapy, and/or soft tissue massage. Our treatment method is interactive, which means you can express concerns about the different styles of treatment anytime.
Customized Wellness Program
Prior to leaving, the doctor will suggest a wellness program to incorporate in your daily life. This may include: ice or heat application instructions, certain activities or positions to avoid, and at home exercises and/or stretches. Also if you’re interested in creating long-term healthy habits, our wellness team will work with you to elevate your lifestyle.
Every person’s lifestyle and body is unique, which means everyone requires a customized wellness plan. The purpose of our wellness program is for you to achieve good spinal alignment, have a healthy diet, exercise, and maintain a positive mental state.