INFORMATION FOR NEW PATIENTS
What to expect on your first visit
Upon arriving at our clinic, you will be asked to fill in appropriate contact information and forms pertaining to your health and specific conditions.
CONSULTATION
You will meet the Doctor and discuss, in detail, information related to your health and specific condition(s). You will be given the required time to ask any questions and relay any concerns that you may have regarding office procedures, treatment, cost, etc… The consultation process is important to establish a good Doctor-Patient relationship, and to get the best understanding of the details related to your visit to our office.
PHYSICAL EXAMINATION
The physical examination is largely determined by the information obtained in the consultation process. You will be put through a number of tests and examination procedures that the Doctor deems necessary to determine the most likely cause of your condition(s). This may include appropriate orthopedic, range of motion, neurologic testing, as well as various palpatory (i.e. hands-on) tests used to assess muscle and joint problems that may pertain to your case. A proper consultation and physical examination is imperative to obtaining an accurate diagnosis and plan of management for your specific case.
* Radiological examination may also be conducted on site, if deemed necessary, depending on the nature of your condition(s). While chiropractors in Ontario can not directly order CT scans, MRIs, or blood tests, if we feel that one of these procedures would be valuable to the management of your case, we will make the appropriate referral to your family physician or to a walk-in clinic.
We are fully qualified and equipped to deal with cases involving the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB), as well as Motor Vehicle Accidents (MVA) claims. We are also able to bill directly to most insurers, including Veteran Affairs, for our services, and we are well-versed on handling these claims, as well as submitting the necessary paperwork.
What Our Patients Say …
“I don’t know what I would do without my chiropractor. Dr. Annie Gervais has helped me so much over the years, both with a sore neck and shoulder and a stiff back. Thanks Dr. Annie!” I.F.
“I first came to see Dr. Annie several years ago. She was very thorough in her examination. X-rays were taken along with a medical history, etc. Since having had chiropractic care I feel much better. Occasionally I have tightness or lower back soreness and an adjustment alleviates that. Dr. Annie not only corrects the issues, but also emphasizes the importance of prevention, wellness, and maintaining good health.” Cathy Dick
FAQ’s – FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1) Should I bring anything with me on my first visit?
Please bring with you any recent X-rays,and/or reports that pertain to your case,as well as a list of medications that you take on a regular basis.
2) What are your fees?
Fees are subject to change, please CONTACT US for details.
3) What type of payment do you accept?
Depending on your insurance plan and company, most of the time, we can direct bill for our services. We also accept cash, debit, Visa or MasterCard.
4) Where can I park?
There is a gated parking system at our building.
Parking rate is $1.00 per hour to a maximum daily rate of $5.00.
Payment (cash, credit card) can be made at the pay machine located in our building OR by credit card only at the exit gate. You are free to park in any of the lots where space is available.
Please respect the designated “patient parking only” and handicapped signage.
5) Are your services covered by:
OHIP?
Chiropractic has not been covered by OHIP since 2004.
ONTARIO DISABILITY SUPPORT PROGRAM (ODSP)?
Chiropractic is not been covered by ODSP at present.
WSIB?
Yes. If you have suffered a work – related injury, please advise us when you book an appointment, so that we can initiate appropriate paperwork. If you have been given a claim number, bring it along with any pertinent paperwork on your first appointment.
AUTO INSURANCE?
Yes. If you suffer from an injury sustained in a motor vehicle accident, please advise us at the time of booking your first appointment. We can bill and contact insurers directly, therefore please bring all of your pertinent auto insurance information with you on the first appointment following your accident.
VETERANS AFFAIRS?
Yes, if you are eligible for Veterans Affairs coverage, please let us know and we can make arrangements for direct coverage.
6) Do you take X-rays?
Yes, we have an X-ray facility onsite and are fully qualified for taking and interpreting x-ray studies. If deemed necessary, we can conduct a radiological examination of any required spinal region, as well as some extremities, such as shoulders and hips. Your x-ray findings will be discussed with you on a follow-up appointment, and any pertinent results will be explained in detail.
7) Do I need a referral to see a chiropractor?
No, you do not require a referral to consult a chiropractor in Ontario. Chiropractors are legislated as primary health care professionals in Canada.
8) Do treatments hurt?
Spinal adjustments and/or manipulations are, for the most part, painless. You may feel pressure, a stretching sensation, and/or a small ‘popping’ sound as the joints are moved in a way to relieve pressure on sensitive tissues and promote better joint movement and function. Other therapies are often coupled with these adjustments/manipulations to make them easier to perform and more comfortable for the patient. These might include soft tissue techniques, moist heat therapy, and/or electrical muscle stimulation. Many patients who are experiencing severe pain when coming into the clinic often leave feeling much better. While some of the myofascial and active release techniques may be somewhat uncomfortable while being performed, patients report tremendous benefits from these therapies, which makes any temporary discomfort worthwhile.
9) Do chiropractors treat complaints that are not related to the spine?
Yes, Chiropractors are proficient in treating conditions related to the extremities. We are trained to adjust extremities (i.e. perform manipulations of joints such ankles, elbows, wrists, shoulders, etc.) and perform a variety of soft tissue therapies for conditions such as rotator cuff strains/sprains, elbow tendonitis, and many others.
10) If I start chiropractic care, will I need to keep going forever?
Treatment length varies from patient to patient, and from condition to condition.
Acute (newer) conditions tend to resolve more quickly, depending on the nature of the injury. If the condition is recurrent (i.e. keeps coming back), you may wish to consider treatment for prevention of such re – occurrences, along with appropriate rehabilitation exercises and lifestyle changes.
Chronic (longer lasting) conditions tend to require more treatment. While some will resolve entirely with a relatively short treatment plan, others will take longer to heal, and may require on – going visits to help maintain gains that have been achieved, and prevent future exacerbations.
At our clinic, we provide hands-on care that is tailored to your needs as a patient. We design a plan of management that is unique and specific to you. Whether you are looking for relief of a specific pain or looking to optimize your long-term health, our mission is to provide our patients with a health care experience that exceeds their expectations. While we always help advise and encourage patients to make choices that will lead them to a healthy lifestyle, no matter what type of care is recommended, the final decision is always up to you.
11) What is an adjustment?
An adjustment (sometimes also called spinal manipulation) is a highly-skilled and precise movement usually applied by hand to the vertebrae of the spine or other joints of the body. Adjustment to the joint restores proper movement and improves function. When a joint is adjusted, an air bubble may escape causing a popping noise, similar to when you crack your knuckles. Depending on the nature of the problem, your chiropractor may also utilize joint mobilization, muscles release techniques, muscle stimulation and therapeutic exercises to relieve your pain and get you moving again.