Big changes are happening at Marine Chiropractic and Wellness, where the treatment team has now doubled in size to better serve the community.
“This is actually a wellness centre now, like in the big cities,” says Dr. Jeremy Buhay who, along with registered massage therapist (RMT) Jamie Bryant, recently welcomed RMT Brigitte LeBlanc and naturopathic doctor Lani Nykilchuk to the clinic.
“Eight eyes are always better than two,” says Bryant. “Another person can always see something from a different angle. Any time a health care business grows in a way where we’re bringing in more practitioners, we have the ability to help more people and that’s really why we do what we do.”
Buhay opened his practice in February 2015 and rebranded it Marine Chiropractic and Wellness in 2016. From there, the business grew organically to include other disciplines in response to increasing demand.
“Every time the clinic was at a point where it was ready for a change, somebody just showed up,” says Dr. Buhay. “It just started to fall into place.”
Nykilchuk was a prime example. By chance, she was canoeing in the area last year and called the office to see if there might be an opportunity. Little did she know, Buhay had placed an ad for a naturopathic doctor that same week.
Nykilchuk, who is in the process of relocating to Powell River from Vancouver, brings seven years of experience and multiple accolades to the clinic. She uses a combination of therapies including acupuncture, homeopathy and nutritional, herbal, botanical and dietary medicines.
“I also have the ability to prescribe pharmaceuticals, too, which is pretty amazing, but then I have all these other tools at my disposal,” she says.
Patients at Marine Chiropractic and Wellness are often surprised not only at the scope of treatment options that are available there, but also the ailments that can be treated.
“People are always really stunned to hear that chiropractors can treat more than just the spine,” says Dr. Buhay. “It’s the same with massage or naturopathy. All of us here can treat more than just one thing.”
For LeBlanc, it was that kind of systemic approach that drew her to the clinic in the first place. The RMT is a 10-year veteran of her field, and also a trained yoga instructor. She specializes in postural treatment, helping people bring awareness to their bodies as a means to find the root causes of dysfunction.
“The pull for me was to work with a chiro and a naturopathic doctor,” she says. “I’m really excited to see when we have someone working on the structural body, on soft tissue and then someone working systemically how that can really make a change on someone’s well-being.”
All four professionals share a similar “source versus symptom” philosophy for care.
“We’re here to help people enhance their health, not just treat diseases and symptoms, but teach people in an integrative way,” says Bryant, “and now we have four practitioners to help educate people on their overall health and well-being.”
The ability to offer direct billing to extended health plans is another way Marine Chiropractic and Wellness serves the needs of its clients. In a community such as Powell River, with a large population of retirees living on a fixed income, it can often mean the difference between seeking treatment or living in pain.
“We’re one of the only clinics in Powell River that does that,” says Dr. Buhay. “It removes a barrier to care by offering that service, which is so important.”
By staying open late, the clinic is able to accommodate clients who work during the day, allowing them to access care without re-arranging other commitments.
“Both Brigitte and I have made it a point to be here four nights a week until 7:30 pm,” says Bryant, “and that makes a big difference in a town that runs on nine to five.”
Although not all treatments offered at Marine Chiropractic and Wellness will be a quick fix, all four practitioners believe the right combination of each can make a big change in a person’s life.
“These treatments are profound on their own and incredible as a group,” says Dr. Nykilchuk. “It’s amazing what like-minded people can accomplish.”
Referrals are not necessary and walk-ins at 104-4675 Marine Avenue are welcome.
To make an appointment or for more information:
• 604.485.9896
• [email protected]
• marinechiropractic.ca
