Dr. Raheema Kanji-Naran
Dr. Raheema Kanji-Naran

Biographical Profile

Why did you become a chiropractor?

From a young age, I was passionate about health and wellness, and I knew I wanted to work in the healthcare field. While in university, I had the opportunity to shadow a chiropractor who had been my family’s trusted chiropractor for many years. I had never been to a chiropractor before, but seeing firsthand how he took the time to understand the root cause of his patients’ issues and his dedication to helping them heal was truly inspiring. His deep knowledge of the human body and his patient-centred approach impressed me. I was amazed by the incredible healing power of chiropractic care. After that experience, I knew I wanted to become a chiropractor.

Where do you practise?

I practice in Toronto. I have over 25 years of experience managing multidisciplinary healthcare teams and treating patients in various settings including hospitals, private practices, and rehabilitation centers. Currently, I am the Director of Chiropractic Care and Chiropractor at iScope Concussion and Pain Clinics, which are multidisciplinary clinics offering chiropractic, physiotherapy, massage therapy, occupational therapy, clinical counselling, nurse practitioners, pain specialist physicians, and neurologists.
I also enjoy teaching. I am a Primary Resource Clinician at the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College (CMCC), where I oversee the clinical education of fourth-year interns, and an Assistant Professor at The Michener Institute of Education at UHN, where I teach Human Anatomy and Physiology.
Throughout my career, I have worked with diverse populations, including recent immigrants who face language barriers, cultural differences, and economic barriers. My clinical interests include chronic pain, rehabilitation, motor vehicle accident injuries, workplace injuries (WSIB), sports injuries, concussion management, and Orthotics.

What is your motto or mantra?

“Hurt vs. Harm – Hurt does not equal harm.” I always remind my patients that rehab exercises may cause discomfort or hurt, but that does not mean they are harming the body. Pain is often a natural part of the healing process. Movement strengthens muscles and joints, promotes recovery, and helps prevent future injuries. When patients understand this, they are empowered to stay active.

Credentials and Designations

  • Bachelor of Science in Life Sciences from Queen’s University (1995)
  • Doctor of Chiropractic degree from the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College (1999)
  • Certificate Program, Accelerating Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Healthcare from The Michener Institute of Education at UHN (2023)
  • CMCC awards for academic excellence:
    • Gilbert H. Young Memorial Scholarship (1997)
    • Tibor and Magda Strauss Award (1998)
    • Vern Welsh Memorial Award (1999)

Capstone Project

My capstone project, “Using AI to Promote Chiropractic Treatment for MSK Pain, Reduce Opioid Prescriptions, and Improve Canada’s Opioid Crisis,” explores how artificial intelligence can enhance access to chiropractic care, support evidence-based treatment, and help address the opioid crisis in Canada. This project was developed as part of my studies in Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Healthcare at The Michener Institute of Education at UHN and has the potential to evolve into a future research initiative.

Leadership Engagement

What skills will you bring to the Board?

I am honoured to serve on the OCA Board of Directors. I also contribute as a member of the OCA’s Nominating Committee and Governance Committee. In the Nominating Committee, I help ensure there is a cadre of members who are interested in working on the OCA board and its committees. In the Governance Committee, I assist with the OCA bylaws and policies.

Community Programs and Initiatives

I am an active volunteer in both the chiropractic profession and my community. At the national level, I am a member of the Women’s Chiropractic Caucus with the Canadian Chiropractic Association (CCA). This dedicated committee advocates for and supports women chiropractors throughout their careers, helping them achieve their personal and professional goals. This committee also advocates on behalf of women’s unique neuro-Musculoskeletal (nMSK) health issues to improve access to chiropractic care for women in Canada. Additionally, I volunteer as a mentor with the CCA Mentorship Program, where mentors (chiropractors with 10 or more years of experience) are matched with mentees (chiropractors with 5 or fewer years of experience) to facilitate knowledge transfer, enhance clinical skills, and build a chiropractic network.
At CMCC, I volunteer as an applicant interview assessor, helping to select the best candidates for the Doctor of Chiropractic program.
In the community, I serve on the Aga Khan Health Board, on the Health Promotion team, as the Lead for Elderly Health in Toronto. Our goal is to prevent chronic disease and improve the quality of life for the elderly population. I help implement health promotion programs focused on priority topics such as falls prevention, mobility, cardiovascular health, diabetes, nutrition , sleep hygiene , and mental health.

Dr. Raheema Kanji-Naran 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?

The most important opportunity for the chiropractic profession in Ontario right now is the Ontario government’s proposal to expand our scope of practice to authorize chiropractors to order advanced diagnostic tests, including MRIs, CT scans, and diagnostic ultrasounds.
This is a pivotal moment for our profession, ensuring that our patients receive the right care at the right time. These tests will help patients get diagnosed and treated sooner, reduce unnecessary delays, remove barriers to care for patients who do not have a family doctor, ease the burden on family physicians, and reduce the pressure on urgent care and emergency departments.
By supporting this proposal, we can improve patient outcomes, strengthen interprofessional collaboration, and demonstrate the value chiropractors bring to Ontario’s healthcare system. It represents not only a major step forward for our profession but also a way to enhance access, efficiency, and quality of care for all Ontarians.

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

Over the next three years, the OCA Board’s most important role is to strengthen advocacy for our profession and demonstrate the essential role chiropractors play in Ontario’s evolving healthcare system. This includes building strong relationships with MPs, government leaders, policymakers, health system leaders, and health organizations to ensure chiropractic care is recognized as an integral part of patient-centered, evidence-informed care.
The Board must also raise public awareness about the benefits of chiropractic care through educational articles, videos, community outreach, social media posts, and other communications, helping Ontarians understand how chiropractors promote health, reduce pain, and support overall well-being. By maintaining a strong, unified voice, the OCA can continue to drive positive change for both patients and practitioners.

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

I want the OCA Board to help chiropractors integrate into interprofessional healthcare teams. This includes teams in hospitals, community health centres/family health teams, private multidisciplinary clinics, long-term care or assisted living facilities, and sports organizations. By collaborating with physicians, nurse practitioners, physiotherapists, and other health professionals, chiropractors can contribute their expertise in spine, muscle, and joint health to ensure patients receive timely, evidence-informed care.
The OCA can promote this integration by advocating for policy changes that recognize chiropractors as essential team members, facilitating partnerships with healthcare organizations, providing guidance for interprofessional collaboration, and highlighting the value of chiropractic care through public and professional education. This approach will reduce delays in diagnosis and treatment, enhance continuity of care, and demonstrate the essential role chiropractors play in Ontario’s healthcare system.

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?

Data from OCA Aspire enables chiropractors to track patient progress, measure outcomes, and identify trends that enhance patient care and clinic performance. Aspire data also supports chiropractic research studies, helping to build a stronger evidence base for the profession. In addition, OCA Aspire subscription fees directly support ongoing research and advocacy initiatives that advance chiropractic care in Ontario.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) can further enhance these efforts by uncovering patterns within Aspire data, predicting outcomes, and personalizing treatment plans. In 2023, I completed a certificate program in Accelerating AI in Healthcare from The Michener Institute of Education at UHN, where my capstone project explored how AI can promote chiropractic treatment for MSK pain and reduce opioid use. Integrating AI with Aspire data will strengthen evidence-based care, research, and advocacy for our profession.