Pickering Village Chiropractic & Massage Therapy Clinic

OFFICE PROCEDURES FOR CLINIC START-UP -- May 27th, 2020 **FOR CHIROPRACTIC PATIENTS ONLY ** In order for us to provide a safe and healthy environment in which our patients can return, we will be following the following protocols:... All visits are by appointment only. **Special times for seniors will be made available daily upon request.** All of our team members will be screened prior to entering the clinic. All patient visits will be staggered. Our newly arranged reception area allows for 2m of physical distancing. All high-touch surfaces will be disinfected between each patient visit. Handwashing will occur between each patient. **PATIENT RESPONSIBILITIES ** 1. Bring your own mask. You will be required to wear a mask or some form of face covering. We do have a supply of new masks available at the clinic for purchase ($2 each). All proceeds from the sale of these masks will be donated to the local food bank. 2. Come alone. Visitors will NOT be allowed to enter the building with you. 3. Please come on-time. Upon arrival, you may enter the front foyer (provided it is empty) and check in with reception. Before you enter, our staff will give you the thumbs-up to enter. **If you are early or late for your appointment, please call the main clinic number 905-427-3202 to see if we can accommodate you. 4. Answer assessment questions. Once inside, our staff will perform a Point-of-Care Risk Assessment (PCRA) and ask you some specific questions regarding COVID-19. 5. Use hand sanitizer. After your assessment, please use the hand sanitizer provided (and again when you leave) and follow further instructions from staff. 6. Pay with debit, credit or e-transfer. We will not be accepting any cash payments. Payment via debit, credit or e-transfer is acceptable. 7. Exit using the proper door. Once your visit is complete, please use the hand sanitizer and exit using the rear door of the clinic. REGULAR PATIENTS OF DR. NOBLE & DR. FERA You can expect a member of our staff to be in touch to book your first appointment back at the clinic. MASSAGE THERAPY PATIENTS Please refer to this website and our Facebook page for further updates on when Rolf and Jessica will be able to take patients again. Thank you for your patience as we introduce these new procedures. We look forward to seeing you again soon.

**CLINIC UPDATE -- May 5th, 2020** As Ontario slowly allows for businesses to re-open in stages, our clinic is monitoring the situation closely and preparing to provide a safe and healthy environment in which our patients can return. Please refer to our website (www.ajaxchiro.com) and this Facebook page for further updates. Once an opening date has been confirmed, a member of our staff will be in touch to book your first appointment back at the clinic.... Patients requiring emergency/acute care should contact our main clinic phone number (905-427-3202) for further instructions on how to reach us. We look forward to seeing you again soon.

>> OFFICE CLOSURE << Following the recent guidelines provided by the Chiropractic College of Ontario and the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario, we are suspending all non-essential care until further notice. Patients requiring emergency/acute care should contact our main clinic phone number (905-427-3202) for further instructions on how to reach us.... We will be monitoring the situation closely and will notify our patients of any changes.

The Pickering Village Chiropractic & Massage Therapy Clinic remains open this week. As usual, every precaution is in place to ensure the safety and well-being of our patients. Please note: If you have symptoms such as fever, cough and difficulty breathing, have travelled outside Canada within the past 14 days or have been exposed to someone who has COVID-19, we ask that you call the clinic to reschedule your appointment at 905-427-3202.

"Animal chiropractic does not replace traditional veterinary medicine or surgery but provides an integrative method of care. Often, veterinarians and animal chiropractors work together to best serve the needs of an animal."

If you’ve been running on a treadmill for a while, transitioning to the outdoors may take time. The mechanics of running on a stationary treadmill are different than running outside on an uneven surface. Here are five tips for making the transition easier on your body.

Have you ever wondered why your muscles feel so sore after a workout?

Too much screen time? If you're suffering upper back pain, try incorporating this pectoralis major/minor stretch into your daily routine.

In December 2019, the Canadian Chiropractic Research Foundation (CCRF) awarded $380,000 to four Canadian teams to tackle some of the most pressing issues for people suffering with spine, muscle, and nervous system problems.

Tired of being in pain? Think of custom orthotics as working on your feet similar to the way that glasses work on your eyes. Custom foot orthotics reduce stress and strain on your body by bringing your feet back into proper alignment. The plastic body of the custom orthotic helps to re-align the foot by redirecting and reducing certain motion that takes place during the gait cycle.

Incorporate this stretch into your daily routine if you suffer from headaches that originate at the back of your neck.

How did you sleep last night? Really well? Not so great? If you did only manage to grab a few winks, how will it affect the rest of your day? Both your body and mind rest and refresh while sleeping making sleep an important aspect of your overall health.

In celebration of Valentine’s Day, Dr. John Noble and Dr. Mark Fera offer your loved ones, family and friends a complete chiropractic consultation and examination at our expense (a $150 value).

There's more snow coming our way! Follow these tips and avoid injury while shovelling.

"Regular walking has also been shown to fight genetic weight gain, curb cravings, ease joint pain and strengthen your immunity. A 2015 study found that going from a sedentary lifestyle to taking 10,000 steps per day could lower your risk of mortality by 46 per cent. And regular aerobic exercise can calm the mind by reducing stress hormone levels."

"The beneficial effect on your heart of jogging, cycling or swimming is well-known. A study published last week in the journal Mayo Clinic Proceedings concludes that regular exercise is also good for your brain."

With many of us spending about five hours every day looking at our phones, text-neck aches and pains have become quite an epidemic.

Aside from keeping your New Year’s resolution, there are a variety of reasons why you should make exercise a priority in your life.

It’s no surprise that when it gets cold outside, we tend to spend more time indoors doing sedentary activities and it can be difficult to stay active. If watching Netflix is how you spend your free time, you may want to schedule some more strenuous activity into your week.

In the excitement of packing for a vacation or family visit, it’s easy to get carried away and pack more than you need into your suitcase and carry-on. Learn how to avoid neck and back pain with these tips on packing and carrying your luggage with care.

Winter weather has officially arrived in Southern Ontario! Once the temperature drops, what starts off as a wet sidewalk or driveway can quickly turn into a sheet of ice. Take care when walking on sidewalks and driveways this winter.

Before you head out to shovel this morning, here are a few tips from Dr. Noble (originally filmed last March) on how to avoid injury while shovelling.

The countdown to Christmas is on! Follow these common-sense tips and avoid back pain all season long.

If your spine is not properly aligned, your muscles and ligaments have to work harder to keep you upright and this can result in strain and pain.

With Southern Ontario experiencing its first snowfall of the year earlier this week, we finally have to accept that winter weather is upon us.

Have you started raking your leaves? Dr. John Noble spent a few hours working in his yard this past weekend and shares his tips for avoiding injury.

The days are getting shorter and the cold weather is enticing you to spend more time inside. Is your energy level decreasing, as well?

It's World Spine Day! This year's theme is #GetSpineActive! We encourage you and your loved ones to manage back and neck pain through movement and exercise. As spine, muscle, and nervous system experts, chiropractors Dr. John Noble and Dr. Mark Fera can help keep you moving!

In celebration of Thanksgiving, Dr. John Noble and Dr. Mark Fera offer your loved ones, family and friends a complete chiropractic consultation and examination at our expense (a $150 value). We have reserved a limited number of appointments during Patient Appreciation Week: October 15th 19th, so call 905-427-3202 and book your appointment today.

"Recent news reports have revealed that, based on research from the Yale School of Medicine, patients who have visited a chiropractor for musculoskeletal pain and associated conditions are currently 49 percent less likely to be issued and to receive an opioid prescription when compared to their counterparts who sought help from other healthcare providers."

Backpacks are great for storing and transporting books and schoolwork...but a backpack not used properly can put your child at risk for health and posture issues. It's not just the weight of the backpack that can be harmful, but how it's carried. Check out this short video from Dr. John Noble and find out how your child can avoid injury in a few simple steps.

Worldwide, arthritis is one of the most common conditions affecting the joints. Not just a disease of the elderly, arthritis can strike anyone at any time, regardless of age, health and ethnic background. #ArthritisIsSerious

Does your child know the proper way to carry a backpack? As you prepare to send your children off to school over the next few weeks, Dr. John Noble and Dr. Mark Fera encourage you to use common sense when choosing your child’s new backpack for the school year.

When your range of motion is compromised, simple movements are not so simple anymore. Sitting down hurts. Standing up hurts. Laying down hurts. The pain makes it difficult to get through the da. What can you do to restore function and reduce the pain and tension? One option is to visit a chiropractor.

In Canada, we’re fortunate to have stunning bike routes from coast-to-coast, like Ontario’s Waterfront Trail, Quebec’s Route Verte, and Nova Scotia’s Cabot Trail (to name a few). But before hitting the trails, it’s important to read up on some safety tips to avoid injury.

There are various poses which can help relieve low back pain, and even just a few minutes of yoga on a regular basis can reduce pain and strengthen your core abdominal muscles.