Dr Melissa uses a variety of treatment techniques and is concidered an Evidence Based Diversified practitioner. She uses the best evidence available to guide her treatment plans and utilizes several different treatment types, to allow for options in care. She recognizes that you know your body better than anyone else and respects your preferences when it comes to creating a treatment plan that best fits you and your goals.
Dr Melissa also has special training in Pregnancy and Postpartum care including:
- Certified Postpartum Corrective Exercise Specialist- Learn more
- Webster Technique Certified Provider- Learn more
*If you are unsure of whether standard Chiropractic, Webster Technique or Postpartum Rehabilitation is the right fit for you, please Contact Us and Dr Melissa can help you decide which treatment is best suited for your needs.
On this page you will find information on:
- Commonly Treated Conditions
- Treatment Techniques offered
- Prenatal Chiropractic
- Contemporary Medical Acupuncture
- Functional Assessments
- Motor Vehicle Accident Claims
Commonly Treated Conditions:
~ Low Back Pain
~ Sciatica >> Learn more
~ Neck Pain
~ Headaches
~ Vertigo or Dizziness >> Learn more
~ Whiplash/Motor Vehicle Accident claims
~ Workplace Injuries (WCB claims)
~ Disc Bulge or Herniation
~ Spinal Stenosis
~ TMJ/Jaw Pain, Clicking or Dysfunction
~ Upper Back Pain/Stiffness
~ Pregnancy Related Pelvic Pain
~ Muscle Strains or Overuse Injuries
~ Sprained Joints
~ Rib Pain
~ Athletic Injuries
~ Carpel Tunnel Syndrome
~ Tingling or Numbness
~ Foot, Ankle or Heel Pain
~ Shoulder Pain
~ Knee Pain
~ Hip Pain
~ Plantar Fasciitis or Heel Fat Pad Syndrome
~ Abnormal Gait Pattern
~ Poor Posture
~ Pediatrics* including difficulty sleeping, feeding, or general discomfort.
*As chiropractors, we are highly trained in performing pediatric assessments and treatments. Your little ones are in good hands.
Treatment Techniques Include:
~ Spinal Manipulation Therapy (SMT) is a hands on adjustment used to provide a quick stretch through a joint. Joint Manipulation is typically accompanied by a popping sound. This "pop" is from the collapse of little gas bubbles in the joint due to the pressue change that comes from being stretched.
~ Joint Mobilization is a gentle way to stretch a joint within it's normal range of motion. This is a great option for children, seniors, and those who are unsure about being adjusted.
~ Activator is a hand held instrument used to create a high speed but low force adjustment through a joint. Similarly to mobilizations, this gentle technique is a great option for those who do not want a traditional adjustment, as well as for children and the elderly.
~ Drop piece is an excellent option for low back and pelvic pain patients. This gentle technique involves pushing down on the pelvis while a collapsable section of the chiropractic table drops. The momentum from the table piece dropping creates a deep, comfortable stretch through the low back and hips.
~ Soft Tissue Therapy including Trigger Point Therapy, Myofascial Release, and muscle stripping. These are deep muscle treatments used to improve muscle function.
~ Trigger Point Needling involves inserting an acupunture needle into a tight muscle and gently manipulating it. This causes the muscle to relax.
~ Functional Assessments
~ Contemporary Medical Acupuncture
~ Postpartum Rehabilitation
~ Webster Technique
~ Exercise and stretching recommendations
~ Custom Made Orthotics
Functional Assessments
Some patients require a more indepth assessment that includes specific muscle testing through a range of movement patterns, as well as breathing and postural evaluations. The goal of a Functional Movement Assessment is to identify underlying biomechanical (body movement) imbalances, and then to create an exercise program that specifically addresses those concerns. This type of assessment is beneficial for chronic or recurrent issues such as:
- low back and pelvis pain or instability
- disc herniation or neuropathic pain
- upper back and neck stiffness
- hip concerns including bursitis and impingement
- knee pain
- ankle pain, weakness or recurrent sprains
- foot or heel pain
A Functional Assessment is also ideal for those who:
- want to improve their athletic performance
- enjoy challenging their body through exercise
- are interested in learning more about their biomechanics
- would like to understand their compensation patterns (how the body adapts to injury or mechanical stress)
Dr. Melissa offers a 90 minute Functional Assessment to New Patients with several timed options for follow up sessions, depending on your individual goals and needs. If you are an existing patient, we offer a 60 minute apppointment for this specific assessment type, as a continuation of your current care plan.
Contemporary Medical Acupuncture
While acupuncture has roots in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Dr. Melissa uses a different treatment approach. She was trained in Contemporary Medical Acupuncture (CMA) through McMaster University, a program that is world renowned and at the forefront of today’s acupuncture research.
CMA is a treatment which involves insertion and gentle manipulation of needles in the body. These needles can affect muscles, nerves, blood vessels, and joints and work to return the body to its natural balance. CMA can be used to treat a wide variety of musculoskeletal conditions such as:
- Low back and neck pain
- Whiplash injuries
- Sprains/Strains
- Joint Inflammation
- Headaches
- Nerve impingement
- Tendonitis and Tendonopathy
Prenatal Chiropractic
Pregnancy is an incredible feat for your body! It can be both exciting and challenging to navigate.
During this time, your posture is rapidly changing which has a drastic effect on your movement patterns and balance. Your body is also producing the hormone Relaxin which causes ligament laxity, preparing the pelvis for birth. While these changes are natural and necessary, they can lead to some unwanted symptoms- the most common being Low Back and Hip Pain, and swelling related conditions such as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
Prenatal and Postpartum care is Dr Melissa's area of expertise. She is incredibly passionate about helping her patients have a comfortable pregnancy, while feeling strong and capable in their ever-changing body.
Dr Melissa is certified in the Webster Technique, which is a set of treatment protocols specific to pregnancy. Many find this gentle treatment to be a good fit, especially as they get closer to full term. Depending on your preference and needs however, Dr Melissa can incorporate other treatment options into your prenatal care plan- so long as she determines it safe to do so.
Commonly Treated Prenatal Conditions Include:
- Low Back Pain
- SI Joint Dysfunction
- Sciatica
- Pubic Symphysis Dysfunction
- Round Ligament Pain
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Hip Pain
- Upper Back Stiffness
- Headaches
- Abdominal Hernia