Our goal at Flora Chiropractic and Sports Clinic is to get you out of pain and back to a functional life. Our treatments are evidence based, which means they are backed by scientific research to be effective. Initially, an orthopedic and neurological exam is performed to rule out pathology or other conditions that might require referral to the appropriate medical specialist. If medication is required, the patient will then be referred to their family physician for that particular aspect of care. The patient is then evaluated for biomechanical dysfunctions, which may consist of joint and soft tissue restrictions in relation to their symptoms. Functional testing (squat test, single leg balance test, respiration test, back endurance test, lunge test, etc.) is also performed in order to assess a patient’s ability to carry out simple tasks.

When the cause of the problem is determined, the individualized treatment plan will consist of patient education, chiropractic manipulation for joint restriction, Active Release Soft Tissue Techniques (ART®) for soft tissue adhesions or scar tissue, and physiotherapy modalities if necessary. These forms of therapy safely reduce neurological and muscular stress by restoring joint motion and soft tissue function. Each therapy works together with the body's natural repair system to restore optimal function. Each of the treatment methods we use is very effective in isolation, but utilized in combination yields quicker, faster, and longer lasting results.

After the joint and soft tissue dysfunction has been improved or corrected, it is essential to rehabilitate the neuromuscular system with specifically directed functional exercises. These are taught in office and then prescribed as home care and can consist of: directional preference exercises, tissue stabilization activities, balance and proprioceptive exercises, etc. This form of rehabilitating the motor system is focused on restoration of function, not merely pain relief.

This modern approach to musculoskeletal care addresses the whole problem, by not only diagnosing an injury and decreasing pain, but also understanding the cause of the problem to prevent recurrences. The ultimate goal of care is to improve physical performance capacity so patients can handle on the job demands and activities of daily living. Once a patient achieves maximum therapeutic benefit they are released from care.

Selected Research Articles:

Spinal manipulation/mobilization is effective in adults for: acute, subacute, and chronic low back pain; migraine and cervicogenic headache; cervicogenic dizziness; manipulation/mobilization is effective for several extremity joint conditions; and thoracic manipulation/mobilization is effective for acute/subacute neck pain (Bronfort et al, 2010).

Functional motor control training is effective for low back pain and disability (Macedo et al, 2009).

Chiropractic manipulation coupled with functional neck exercises is effective for improved function and pain reduction (Gross et al, 2007).

Function-centered treatment (FCT) is more effective than pain-centered treatment (PCT) for increasing work days (Kool et al, 2007).

Active manipulations have more effect than simulated manipulations on pain relief for acute back pain and sciatica with disc protrusion. (Santilli et al, 2006).

Manipulation is a safe and effective treatment for lumbar disc herniation. An estimate of the risk of spinal manipulation causing a clinically worsened disk herniation or CES in a patient presenting with lumbar disc herniation is calculated from published data to be less than 1 in 3.7 million (Oliphant, 2004).


Macedo, Luciana G., et al. "Motor Control Exercise for Persistent, Nonspecific Low Back Pain: A Systematic Review." Physical Therapy 89 (2009): 9-25.

Gross, Anita R., and Charlie Goldsmith. "Conservative Management of Mechanical Neck Disorders: A Systematic Review." The Journal of Rheumatology 34 (2007): 1003-182.

Bronfort, Gert , et al. "Effectiveness of manual therapies: the UK evidence report." Chiropractic & Osteopathy 18 (2010): 1-33.

Kool, J, et al. "Function-centered rehabilitation increases work days in patients with nonacute nonspecific low back pain: 1-year results from a randomized controlled trial." Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 9 (2007): 1089-94.

Santilli, V, E Beghi, and S Finucci . "Chiropractic manipulation in the treatment of acute back pain and sciatica with disc protrusion: a randomized double-blind clinical trial of active and simulated spinal manipulations." The Spine Journal 2 (2006): 131-7.

Oliphant, D. "Safety of spinal manipulation in the treatment of lumbar disk herniations: a systematic review and risk assessment." Journal of Manipulative Physiology Therapeutics3 (2004): 197-210.