Dr. Paolo De Ciantis
Dr. Paolo De Ciantis

Biographical Profile

Why did you become a chiropractor?

Being a chiropractor means I can make a significant difference in people’s lives every day. Individuals come to us for help and we have a direct, hands-on impact and an almost immediate alleviation of a patient’s physical pain and/or concerns.
The primary focus of our clinics is pain control and rehabilitation. Our clinics offer a multidisciplinary approach to care, including chiropractic, physiotherapy, registered massage therapy, acupuncture, naturopathy, nutritional counselling, rehabilitation and psychotherapy.
Where do you practise?
In 2012, I had the honour of taking over a practice in the Bayview and York Mills area of Toronto which is now called SportsRehabTO. Since then, I have opened a second location at Bloor Street West and Ossington. This post in our Chiropractors Helping Patients blog expands on the types of patients we treat and the care we provide at our centre.

What is your motto or mantra?

One of the things that we love to say in our clinics is that ‘motion is lotion’. The concept is that movement is the medicine. That is one of the mantras that my staff and I promote with our patients. Also, associated with that mantra is, ‘hurt, is not harm’. The response from some patients is, “Well, it hurts to move.” That being said, this doesn’t mean you’re harming tissue. Educating the patient on that point, and to say, “You need to move to get better,” doesn’t mean that you’re damaging things further.

Credentials and Designations

  • B.Sc. (Honours) in Human Biology, Life Sciences from the University of Toronto in 2006
  • Master of Science degree in Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical Sciences Division from McMaster University in 2009
  • Doctor of Chiropractic from CMCC in 2013
  • Certificate in acupuncture in 2013

Leadership Engagement

What skills will you bring to the Board?

In my time with the OCA board, I have served as the board’s Treasurer, and as the chair of the OCA’s Finance and Audit Committee.
I was also part of the (COVID-19) OCA Return to Practice Working Group, which was a very rewarding experience during an interesting time for our profession. I’m particularly proud of the work the whole group did there. The Return to Practice Working Group has really helped advance the profession. The work was not only for our safe return to work (which was critical for us) but also for the safety of our patients. Our model was adapted by other health care associations who used a lot of what the group developed for their own return to work policies. To have an association within our own profession that was so dedicated to making sure that we continued to work and that it was safe for us and for our patients – and our families or friends – was rewarding and beneficial.

Community Programs and Initiatives

Both clinical sites that I’m associated with are teaching clinics. I’ve been able to establish multiple co-op programs with local high schools and colleges, as well as informal co-op programs and observational programs with students from different universities. With respect to the high school and college co-op programs, students earn credits to be here and learn. My university students are pre-medical school, pre-physiotherapy, and pre-chiropractic. These students obtain firsthand experience of treating and communicating with patients.
Furthermore, I’m involved in several volunteer initiatives. Our clinical staff volunteers our time and expertise with multiple sports organizations in Toronto and the GTA providing first aid and injury treatment services. Also, I am honoured to be a volunteer at Casey House, working and interacting directly with patients within the inpatient ward of this specialized hospital for the care of HIV patients.

Dr. Paolo De Ciantis Answers Four OCA Townhall Questions

1. What do you think is currently the most important opportunity (or highest priority) for the chiropractic profession in Ontario and why?

Of the many priorities that present themselves for Chiropractors and the Chiropractic profession in Ontario, presently, I believe that scope enhancement is of the highest priority. Enhanced scope of practice for Chiropractors, which includes the ability to order specialized imaging like Ultrasound, MRI and CT, would allow Chiropractors the ability to more efficiently and effectively diagnose and treat Ontarians. This would be achieved by complimenting our existing thorough physical examination abilities. As such, I believe that overall this would translate to reduced wait times for patients for specialized testing as well as an increase in the administration of immediate interventions applied by our profession. 

2. What do you think is the most important role OCA Board can play during the next three years?

I believe that there are 3 important roles that the OCA Board can play over the next 3 years:
1. Continue to advocate for scope enhancement from the provincial government regarding the ability to not only order specialized imaging tests but also order unique tests such as blood work.
2. To promote the diagnostic and treatment capabilities of chiropractors to Ontarians with the goal to educate Ontarians and increase the utilization rates among Chiropractors.
3. Advocate to insurance companies to increase spending caps for chiropractic care so that Ontarians are not limited in the frequency of care by chiropractors that they may need in order to achieve health and remain healthy

3. What key difference do you want the Board to make during your tenure on the OCA Board of Directors (for 2026-2029)?

Given the opportunity to serve the OCA Board and its members for 2026-2029, the primary difference I would like the board to achieve is to increase the utilization rate of chiropractic care in Ontario compared to the past 3 years.

4. In what way can data, such as Aspire data, and the incorporation of tools like Artificial Intelligence be used to advance the profession, support research and enhance advocacy?

Firstly, the ability of Aspire to generate data that can be used by our profession to support the profession, and the health of Ontarians is not only unique among EMR’s but also an outstanding achievement. Information generated from data by Aspire itself could be used to tweeze out statistics that can include (but not limited to) patient demographics, conditions treated, etc. This information could then be used to further support more specific advocacy programs and initiatives aimed at the provincial government and insurance companies. Most importantly, this data can assist in the overall more effective and efficient care of Ontarians through Chiropractic. Moreover, AI can be used as a tool to not only understand data collected by programs such as Aspire but also allow for the more efficient use of this information. AI, as a tool, can also be used to assist Chiropractors in delivering our care in multiple was such as documentation of appointments.