What's up Doc?

What is a Chiropractor? 

I'm a chiropractor! I'm also a regular guy just trying help people with their health just like everyone else here at LiveWell4Life Inc. I get asked a lot "So why exactly would I see a chiropractor?" The following is a general idea of what I believe I do.

My chiropractic approach (I said mine, not speaking for every Chiropractor) is to assess your spinal joints, your nervous system, and your muscular system to find out what may not be functioning as best as it can from head to toe. I can assess your low back and neck, but I can also assess shoulders, elbows, wrists, hands and fingers, as well as hips, knees, ankles, feet and toes. I am a neuro-musculo-skeletal Doctor, meaning I can assess all nerves, muscles and bones in the body, not just your low back or neck. My job is to get things moving better, whether it's a joint that is restricted (not moving well), a muscle that is tight, or a segment of your nervous system that's just not getting the right input or output (altered sensation/weakness). When it's all said and done I want movement. I want good movement in all aspects of your body.

My goal is to work with you and your team of trusted health care professionals, whether that's your Physiotherapist, your Registered Massage Therapist, your Medical Doctor, your Naturopath etc. I work with these people, not against them. You may find other Chiropractors you have been to before who don't want to work with other health providers for fear of losing patients. Too bad for them and their limited view. I myself get treated by a Physiotherapist, I also see a Registered Massage Therapist and my own Chiropractor. I always try to communicate with your Medical Doctor as we are all on your team. I have built my practice my way, in my own time with patients who want to get better and who want me as part of their team. I say it all the time to patients: I’m on your team, and I’m happy to be a part of it. 

So, when I chat with people about what I do, I love someone who wants to know more about being a Chiropractor. If it makes sense to them, awesome. If not, that's okay. Sometimes I hear "I don't believe in Chiropractic." Chiropractic isn't magic, it doesn't need your belief to work. It's science, and science works whether we like it or not. 

What I don’t do is: treat you how you don't want to be treated. Don't like your neck adjusted or the cracking sounds? That's totally fine, I can work around that, as I often say, “I have lots of tools in my toolbox,” meaning there are plenty of other treatment options. My patients know this as I often use soft tissue therapy, stretching, acupuncture and home exercises as part of my treatment plans. Yes, I will adjust you if needed, but I take into considerations your preference, my experience and what the most recent research says about that particular treatment. I also won't tell you that you need to see me 80 times in the next 12 months or 3x/week for 12 weeks. I'll tell you what I think you need and let you decide what you want to do. I also don't pressure you or scare you or represent myself or my profession in a way that doesn't let me sleep like a baby.

I believe that if I tell you something it's in your best interest, and I also don't think it helps anyone to hide information. Why bother keeping things hidden until you're in the office. I love my office, and I love the team of people I work with. We all do things a little differently and that's what makes us such a dynamic space. I tell people that as a Chiropractor I'm different, because every one of my patients are different and deserve to be treated differently. I don’t do the same thing with every patient. 

At the end of the day, I love what I do. I really love helping people, and yes, I am a normal guy living his life like a normal guy. But I'm also a Chiropractor who gives a damn about your health!

About the Author: 

Dr. Brent O' Reilly is a licensed Chiropractor and a qualified acupuncture provider for LiveWell4Life Inc. In his spare time, Brent can be found playing a variety of sports and spending time with his family and friends.