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Physiotherapy

Meet our Chiropractors

Dr. Marty Thompson, DC

Dr. Marty Thompson is originally from Kitscoty, Alberta.  He graduated from Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa in 1997.  Dr. Thompson had a practice in High Level, Alberta for 8 years before moving to the sunny Okanagan in September, 2006.  He opened his doors to Health First Chiropractic in 2008 and has been serving the people of Lake Country and surrounding communities since.

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Dr. Thompson had originally chosen to attend medical school, but after a life changing experience with chiropractic, he saw the benefits of a natural approach to health care and made the decision to switch his focus and become a chiropractor instead.

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In his spare time, Dr. Thompson enjoys dirt biking with his 3 boys, camping, and relaxing with his family.

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When you first visit with Dr. Thompson, he will give you a thorough spinal checkup to determine the location of any spinal imbalance (subluxation).  He will also discuss your symptoms with you in detail so that he can make a precise diagnosis.

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To book with Dr. Thompson:

Email: hfcreception@shaw.ca

Phone: 250-766-2141

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Dr. Thompson is available Monday's from 9-6, Tuesday's from 9-12, Wednesday's by appointment, and Thursday's 9-6

Dr. Amanda Skeen, DC

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Dr. Amanda Skeen offers full spinal care with extra training in Upper Cervical Knee Chest adjustments.  She graduated from Life Chiropractic College West in California in 2010 as the class Salutatorian.

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Prior to graduate school, Dr. Skeen studies biology and chemistry at Northwest Nazarene University in Idaho.  She received numerous awards for academic excellence including the honour of making the Dean's List, while playing NCAA basketball for the women's team, The Crusaders.

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Initially, Dr. Skeen wanted to pursue traditional medicine, but switched to alternative medicine after she spent a summer in Mongolia working at an SOS clinic.  It was there that she truly recognized the power that alternative and natural approaches have on the body, while shadowing doctors first hand with the eastern holistic model.

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After five years of practicing as one of the three Upper Cervical chiropractors in Idaho's Treasure Valley, Dr. Skeen relocated with her husband and two children, to the Okanagan to be close to family.  She enjoys being outdoors, playing volleyball, kayaking, paddle boarding, skiing, and camping.

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When you first visit with Dr. Skeen, she will give you a thorough spinal checkup to determine the location of any spinal imbalance (subluxation).  She will also discuss your symptoms with you in detail so that she can make a precise diagnosis.

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To book with Dr. Skeen:

Online: drskeen.janeapp.com

Phone: 250-241-7141

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Dr. Skeen is available Monday's 9-6, Tuesday's 9-12, Wednesday's 3-7, and Thursday's 9-6.  Please call her directly to book.

Osteopath at Work

Our Techniques

Diversified
We use an adjusting style commonly referred to as "Diversified."  First, an analysis of your spine is performed.  This can initially involve a case history and x-ray pictures of your spine (if required).  Subsequent visits may include motion palpation, with the chiropractor feeling the spinal joints move as you turn and bend.  A leg check may also be performed, to uncover an imbalance in the neck or lower spine.  With the malposition of one or more spinal bones identified, a specific manual thrust is administered.  The direction, speed, depth, and angle that are used is the result of years of experience, practice, and a thorough understanding of spinal mechanics.

The energy delivered during the thrust may produce a slight 'popping' sound from the shifting of gas and fluids in the joint.  This sound may be interesting, but is not a guide as to the value of effectiveness of the adjustment.  While improving spinal biomechanics can reduce nervous system interferences, virtually all joints of the body can be adjusted to help restore proper range of motion.



Activator Methods
We use one of the most popular "low force" chiropractic techniques in the world.  We begin by analyzing how well your spine moves.  We test how well you turn and bend.  While you're lying face down, we'll evaluate the length of your legs.  This simple procedure can reveal significant differences in leg lengths.  This time-based protocol tells us if subluxations exist and their location.  It also helps us know when to adjust and when not to adjust.  The Activator Method® Adjusting Instrument is a handheld spring-loaded tool that delivers a consistent low-force, high-speed thrust.  Because it is many times faster than adjustments delivered by hand, the body rarely tightens to resist, making adjustment comfortable and effective.  It is also helpful for adjusting elbows, wrists, knees, and other joints of the body.  After your adjustment, we retest to make sure changes have been produced. Testing afterwards helps us deliver high-quality care and high levels of patient satisfaction.


Thompson
The Thompson Technique, developed by Dr. J. Clay Thompson, has evolved into a system of analysis and a way of adjusting the full spine.  The combination produces precise adjustments and high levels of patient comfort.  Early chiropractors noticed that subluxations would produce the appearance of a short, or contracted leg.  Using a protocol of comparing leg lengths while the patient turned their head, helped determine whether the subluxation was in the upper, middle, or lower back.  What patients often notice first is our segmental "drop" table.  After stepping onto the platform, the table gently lowers you into a horizontal position.  This helps preserve any leg length inequality.  Individual cushions, or "drop pieces" located along our table surface support each area of your spine until the thrust is delivered.  Then, each drop piece gently gives way, reducing the amount of energy needed to move a specific spinal segment.  So unique is this approach, Dr. Thompson was granted a patent in 1955.  Since then, because of its precise and patient results, it s a technique used around the world.


Knee-Chest
The Knee-Chest upper cervical technique itself involves the patient kneeling comfortably on a padded cushion, and resting his or her chest on a special chiropractic adjusting table.  Your chiropractor will position your head to the side at an exact angle, and then position her hands at the precise spot on your neck and deliver a quick, yet gentle thrust that adjusts the upper vertebrae of the neck (at the base of the skull) to their correct position.  Some patients hear a pop when this happens, and the relief is immediate.  The patient rests briefly in this position to enable the adjustment to set.

For this technique, please ask for Dr. Amanda Skeen.
 

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Exercises/Stretches

Stretching is essential to a healthy lifestyle.  Not only does it help prevent subluxations, it is vital to a healthy functioning spine and nervous system.  The chiropractic adjustment corrects subluxations, and stretching can help prevent them.  Thus, doing the exercises recommended by Dr. Thompson and

Dr. Skeen will help you minimize your subluxations and maximize your health potential.  We challenge you to do the following exercises daily for 2 weeks.

  We are confident  you will not regret it.  If for any reason you have difficulty or the exercises cause pain, nausea, or dizziness,

discontinue and consult Dr. Thompson or Dr. Skeen.

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These exercises are for existing patients only, and as recommended by Dr. Thompson or Dr. Skeen.

Office Hours

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

Statutory Holidays

9:00-12:00, 1:30-6:00

9:00-12:00

By appointment

9:00-12:00, 1:30-6:00

By appointment

Closed

Closed

Closed

Location

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Health First Chiropractic & Wellness Centre

2915 Robinson Road

Lake Country, BC

Available for call or text outside regular clinic hours

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250-801-4205

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