By Dr. Nardine Bekhit |
Some people think you don’t need a chiropractor until you have an injury or reach middle age years.
Young professionals sometimes believe they can get away with p
ushing past their physical limits in order to meet the demands of their busy schedules, but eventually this catches up to them.
Supporting Young Professionals
Shortly after I graduated from the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College (Toronto) in 2018, I began working as an associate chiropractor at CURAVITA Health Group. It is located in the Glebe, a neighbourhood situated at the edge of downtown Ottawa. We have been serving the Ottawa community for more than 25 years and we also have a sister location in the Byward Market.
As Ottawa is a very active community, many people rely on chiropractic care to enhance their quality of life and enable them to do the activities they love to do.
We care for patients of all ages. However, the other health care professionals and I see many students and young professionals. They often have very similar complaints: neck pain, upper back tension and low back pain. Being a young professional myself, I can appreciate how disrupting these conditions can be to a driven, goal-oriented individual. Personally, I have experienced the benefits of taking the time to take care of my health despite being busy, and I hope to share that with more people.
Discovering Chiropractic Care
I believe I was destined to be a chiropractor. Both my parents are in health care, and I grew up listening to my dad share stories from his veterinary practice, which inspired in me a love for problem solving, helping others, and a strong work ethic. I am grateful for all the lessons my parents taught me about hard work and perseverance. When it comes to my own health, my philosophy from a young age has always been to identify and address the root cause of the problem and adopt a proactive approach. This same philosophy applies to chiropractic care. When I discovered chiropractic, it felt like a perfect fit for me.
An Ideal Clinic for Patients and Health Care Professionals
What drew me to CURAVITA was the structured mentorship program it provides to new associates, as well as the truly collaborative care model in which all the health care professionals work. Our team includes chiropractors, physiotherapists and registered massage therapists. We all work closely together to provide comprehensive spine, muscle and joint care. Our professional clinic health assistants are key to our welcoming, healing atmosphere.
Our clinic values teamwork, community engagement and leadership development. These are essential to the on-boarding process for every new team member and it is the responsibility of senior team members to provide support and mentorship that reinforces this. At CURAVITA everyone is invested in each other’s growth and one person’s success reflects the success of the entire team. I’m grateful to be able to benefit from others’ experiences and to get to contribute as the clinic continues to grow. I think this mentality creates a fruitful work environment and enhances each of our patient’s experience and comfort level.
Care Delivery
Each patient receives a personalized care plan, based on their goals, which takes into account their age, health condition and the severity of their complaint. We also provide lifestyle advice and personalized exercise recommendations as part of our patient education process. The care typically involves a combination of manual adjustments and table-assisted drop manipulation, which is great for patients who are new to chiropractic care.
Stretch Breaks for Spinal Health
My team and I recommend everyone take a posture break every 20 to 30 minutes to stretch and to adopt a new position. This habit is helpful for everyone who works in the same position all day, such as office workers and students. Our bodies were meant to move. Part of solving some of the most common problems is simply reducing daily strain.
Working with Other Health Care Professionals
Our collaborative care model extends beyond the walls of our clinic and whenever possible we aim to create connections with the rest of our patient’s health care team. For example, as a clinic, we always ask our patients if we have their permission to send a medical report to their family doctor. This report contains information on their examination, their diagnosis and the treatment plan. It also starts a relationship with their primary care provider.
Giving Back
Community work is integral to my clinic’s philosophy. Each of us chooses an organization or association that aligns with our core values and we’re encouraged to get involved and take on leadership roles. Often this includes outreaching to local businesses to provide workshops on spinal health or providing care to an underserved population. Every project and event is a team effort and that matches our brand. Our workshops range from injury prevention to postural education, and we always tailor the information to the specific audience. Besides providing valuable information, it builds trust and collaborative opportunities between our community partners.
To give back to the chiropractic community, I sit on the OCA Student and New Grad Advisory Council. One of the objectives of this council is to ensure new chiropractors are well supported as they transition into practice. I’ve been passionate about this cause since my time as a student. So, I’m grateful for the opportunity to share my experiences and help others lead successful careers, where they can help as many people as possible.
If you live outside Ottawa, use OCA’s Chiropractor locator to find a chiropractor with similar expertise near you.
Prospective patients in the Ottawa area are always welcome to come in for a complimentary consultation to learn more about what we do and to learn about the clinic. To book an appointment or consultation, call the clinic at 613-237-9000. You can also follow us on social media at CURAVITA Health Group – Glebe, @curavitahealth on Instagram and @curavitaglebe on Twitter.