Journey to becoming a chiropractor
After graduating, I immediately decided to open my own practice. Someone told me, “Make sure that your practice is where you would want to live.” For me, that was the High Park area in Toronto. I would still be doing that today had my hands not failed. Unfortunately, I underwent four hand surgeries. I had to give up practicing because my surgeon kept telling me, “You need to stop.” Despite having a vibrant, amazing practice, I had to give it up, unfortunately.
I’m a full-time assistant professor and primary clinician at Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College (CMCC). I moved into that role after running my own practice for 14 years.
Today, clinical teaching involves patient case management, adjusting skills, and lecturing on topics such as rheumatology, neurologic disorders, and so on. In my former practice, I had focused on pregnancy and pediatrics, and I continue this focus through teaching in clinic. This includes completing a proper newborn exam with respect to orthopedics and neurology in an evidence-based way, and to know when a referral to a medical specialist is necessary.
Region of practice
I practice at CMCC’s Sherbourne Health Clinic. The population that we see at the clinic is socio-economically disadvantaged, with chronic pain and multiple comorbidities.
Occasionally, I do still see people in my home on an emergency basis, if necessary – for patients in extreme need.
Credentials and designations
- B.Sc. in Microbiology and Immunology from the University of Toronto in 1991
- Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) from CMCC in 1995
- Fellow of the College of Chiropractic Orthopaedic Specialists (Canada) or FCCOS(C) (specialty designation in orthopaedics) in 2004
- American Disabilities Index, 5th in 2003: trained in the process of assessing and rating a patient’s permanent impairment
- Acupuncture from the Acupuncture Foundation of Canada Institute in 2005
- Good Life with osteoArthritis in Denmark (GLA:D) in 2018
- Spinal stenosis program by Dr. Carlo Ammendolia in 2020