Answers to Our Most Common Questions from Patients
We are here to help! With our 19-year commitment to our community, we’ve gathered answers to the most commonly asked questions from our patients on this page. Please explore and let us assist in any way possible.
Top Questions Answered
Yes, we are currently accepting new patients.
At The Wellhouse, we understand the importance of quality care and fast access to healthcare services. That’s why we hold two emergency New Patient appointments each day, allowing us to provide efficient scheduling for those seeking chiropractic and complementary care.
Our team of experienced chiropractors is here for you to create a plan tailored toward you or your child’s individual needs, ensuring the journey toward optimal health is achievable and sustainable. Contact us today for availability and schedule an appointment with our experienced staff.
When it comes to finding a chiropractor, massage therapist or naturopath, a referral is not needed. It’s important to remember that you have the freedom to choose your own healthcare provider, and you don’t need someone else’s permission or recommendations to do so.
One of the best ways to find a reputable chiropractor in your area is to ask friends, family, or other healthcare professionals for their opinion. You can also look up reviews online and read about the experiences of past patients who have used The Wellhouse services before.
At The Wellhouse, our team of dedicated chiropractors will work with you to create an individualized treatment plan tailored to your needs in order to achieve optimal health and well-being.
We regret that we cannot directly bill your insurance or extended medical provider at this time. However, we are actively working towards making this possible for our services in the near future.
Yes, we can directly bill for WorkSafe BC (WCB) claims. Please note that you will need to present your claim number to us at the time of booking in order for us to process direct billing on your behalf.
We understand that life can be unpredictable, and plans do change. We kindly ask that you provide at least 24 hours’ notice if you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment. Failing to do so may result in a charge for the full amount of your visit.
Family Chiropractic Care: Your Questions Answered
An adjustment does more than just treat specific symptoms like back pain, neck pain, or headaches. A proper adjustment, delivered by a wellness-minded chiropractor, restores normal and optimal function to your body. And when your body is functioning optimally, you can imagine the improvements you will see. Our patients typically report improvements in areas such as reduced pain, headaches, faster recovery from aches and strains, improved mobility, focus at work, and so on.
Although our ultimate goal is to focus on prevention and wellness care, our patients typically present with the following symptoms of ill health: adult back pain, pregnancy-related back pain or headaches, sciatica, tension headaches & migraines. Other common conditions that we see include shoulder pain, muscle strains, chronic pain and muscle tension.
At our clinic, we believe that treatment should revolve around the patient’s needs and comfort. Our customized approach employs non-rushed, informative consultations that encourage patients to ask questions during appointments without any time constraints. Our initial chiropractic exam takes around 45 minutes, and subsequent visits require up to 15 minutes or less. Because everyone is unique, your chiropractor appointment can be as long as needed as long as we know beforehand in order to keep our schedule on time. No patient is ever rushed in our office.
Today, we find more parents bringing their children to chiropractors for the hundred and one little and big things children go through as they grow up. It is important to remember that although many of our little patients find relief from these ailments, this is never the focus; a pediatric chiropractor’s aim is to reduce nervous system stress.
Many people attribute chiropractic care to treating back pain, but it’s more than that. Chiropractors use gentle, non-invasive techniques to improve nervous system function, which is essential for optimal health and development. For babies, chiropractic care can make a difference in their overall health. It is common for infants to experience stress from the birthing process – even relatively normal vaginal births can place a lot of stress on a baby’s spine. Chiropractic care can help relieve stress on the spine, promoting healthy nervous system function, which is essential for overall health and development.
Babies do not need to be experiencing back pain or any specific symptoms for parents to consider bringing their child to a chiropractor. Regular check-ups can aid in maintaining your child’s optimal nervous system function to support general wellness, both now and in the future. Contact us today to schedule an appointment for your little one and keep them on track for a healthy life.
Pregnancy is the most natural process a woman’s body can go through. Today, we live in a world where there is a lot of fear around this beautiful time in a mom and dad’s life. Biomechanical changes to mom’s body during pregnancy are inevitable. Chiropractic care helps to restore the balance in mom’s musculoskeletal system, making her feel more comfortable physically.
A wellness model expects more than a pain-free state of being. It strives for continual growth and balance in areas of emotional, physical, and social well-being in order to more fully reach your human potential. As such, our Nanaimo chiropractic team incorporates all areas of well-being into their patient care. These include but are not limited to education and advice on topics such as stress and anxiety, nutrition, movement, exercise, workplace health, and family dynamics. Only through the incorporation of all of life’s factors can we expect to be fully well.
An integrated, team-based approach to health care can have many facets, each offering patients different paths to achieve optimal health & wellness. From the most basic level (practitioners sharing office space) to the highest level (multiple practitioners working together to create, implement, and monitor your unique treatment plan) integration offers you a more comprehensive approach to your health. Our chiropractic wellness centre offers our patients ALL levels of integrated care! Our practitioners feel strongly that it is our responsibility to inform you of the choices you have, the pros and cons that come along with each, as well as our recommendations, but we always respect that your health is your responsibility, and your choice is always the best choice!
Good question. It is certainly not your bones cracking or rubbing together (which is the thought we hear more than you would think). It is thought that the popping noise is due to gas being released from the change in joint pressure during an adjustment, much like opening a can of soda. It is not heard with all adjustments and is not thought to be associated with any therapeutic effect.
This is a very important question. With all interventions, there are also risks.
However, the risks are very minor with chiropractic as it’s one of the safest treatments that exists and one of the most widely used in Canada. The most common risk or side effect that people experience is some achiness or soreness following a treatment – similar to when you work out at the gym or go for a bike ride, walk or run for the first time in a while. Your doctor will go through risks and benefits with you during your Report of Findings.
Our chiropractors have a variety of techniques available, all with their own unique benefits. However, no one technique is better than another. There will be one (or a few) that is best for your unique body or concern. This is one of the most important parts of chiropractic treatment, and we take great effort to ensure you receive the adjustments that you are most comfortable with and are most effective for you.
There is no research to support the notion that chiropractors cause stroke in an otherwise healthy individual.
Due in part to the demographics of patients who seek chiropractic care, including those with headaches, neck pain, dizziness, nausea, migraines, etc., chiropractors will meet individuals experiencing a stroke. However, chiropractors, like medical doctors, undergo rigorous training in human anatomy, physiology, diagnosis and treatment, and have the capability to identify the warning signs of a stroke and ensure the safety of every patient who comes through the clinic’s doors.
Of course! Chiropractors are trained in a wide variety of techniques and systems and work with the individual to design a plan of care that will help that individual meet their goals. With the aid of various instruments, we can deliver safe and effective adjustments and treatments to patients with even advanced arthritis.
In short, no! You are in charge of your own health and will be empowered to make your own decisions. That said, many patients, ourselves included, see the benefit of ongoing chiropractic care. They CHOOSE to maintain a wellness plan in order to keep their body functioning at its best (similar to the way you go to a dentist regularly to make sure everything is alright with your teeth). It is much better to fix a problem before it becomes a burden on your life. The important thing here though is that it is your decision.
Pain relief is only one aspect of treatment. In addition to pain, you should pay attention to other aspects of your well-being, such as sleep quality and daily movement. These can act as “whispers” from your body, signalling that something needs attention before it escalates into a more serious issue. While your pain may be gone, the underlying problem might still persist. Listening to your body’s whispers allows you to address potential issues early on, preventing them from becoming more severe problems. By being proactive about your health, you can maintain better overall wellness and avoid having to deal with more intense “screams” from your body. Our goal is to ensure that the issue is fully resolved to prevent it from recurring. It’s important to focus not just on pain but also on overall function.
Setbacks or increased soreness can happen during the treatment process. This doesn’t necessarily mean that the treatment isn’t working. It’s essential to communicate with your chiropractor about any changes in your condition so they can adjust your treatment plan accordingly and help you continue making progress toward optimal health.
Registered Massage Therapy: Your Questions Answered
Registered Massage Therapy is a physical therapy that targets the soft tissue structures of the body, including muscles, fascia, tendons, and ligaments. It can be tailored to provide relaxation or to help treat specific conditions and concerns.
Everyone can benefit from the healing modalities offered by an RMT. It is a drug-free therapy used to facilitate rehabilitation from injury and other disorders such as bone, muscle, and tendon disorders, autoimmune rheumatic disorders, foot and ankle disorders, joint disorders, neck and back pain, hand disorders, shoulder and elbow disorders, headaches, hips, legs and knees, neurological disorders, psychological conditions, women’s health issues, and pediatric care.
Registered Massage Therapy can help you reach your health and wellness goals by increasing your postural balance, improving your sleep patterns, and reducing stress. In addition to physical benefits, massage treatments can also improve your mental and emotional health by providing an improvement in your general sense of wellbeing, which can help you feel more comfortable in your body.
The number of visits you’ll need to receive the healthy benefits of massage will depend on your particular needs and will be discussed with you during your appointment. During your first visit, we will begin by discussing your particular health concerns and your typical activities and lifestyle. Your assessment includes an evaluation of your range of motion and orthopedic health, which allows us to have a more holistic view of your personal wellness. Your treatment takes place in a quiet and comfortable room to ensure both privacy and comfort. You’ll be given time and privacy to undress and get settled onto a comfortable massage table which offers a warm safe place to relax. Treatment time is typically 45-60 minutes and begins with a check-in with you, continues with hands-on massage, and ends with posture and exercise education.
The cost of Registered Massage Therapy varies depending on the length of the session and whether it is covered by insurance or other benefit programs. Payment for services is required at the time of your appointment. Receipt is provided so that you can submit it to your extended health care provider.
Registered Massage Therapy is considered a supplementary benefit, and a portion of up to 10 visits per year may be covered by MSP for those who meet the eligibility requirements of receiving premium assistance benefits. Coverage may also be available through your extended health care plan provider. If your physician has referred you for RMT services due to injury, other coverages may be available through ICBC, WorkSafeBC (WCB), or organizations such as the RCMP or Department of Veteran Affairs.
Naturopathic Medicine: Your Questions Answered
Naturopathic medicine is a system of healthcare that blends modern scientific understanding with traditional forms of medicine to treat the root cause of illness and prevent disease.
Naturopathic doctors (NDs) are extensively trained medical professionals. After completing undergraduate studies, naturopathic physicians go on to complete a 4-year accredited naturopathic medicine program, culminating in a Doctor of Naturopathy degree.
Naturopathic physicians treat all age groups, and both acute and chronic health concerns. Our NDs have experience treating issues such as digestion, hormonal imbalance, heart disease, muscle and joint pain, skin issues, and psychological concerns.
With additional training, yes. Naturopaths can obtain prescriptive authority in British Columbia, meaning they can write prescriptions for most medications commonly prescribed by a GP. Naturopaths with prescriptive authority may also obtain further training and licensing to be able to administer IV and injection therapies.
Yes. NDs in BC have access to the same tests ordered by medical doctors, these tests are done directly through Life Labs. In addition, NDs often order specialized tests, such as IgG food sensitivity testing.
We’re here for you!
Visit us at the corner of Norwell Drive and the Island Highway in Central Nanaimo .
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