When Dr. Jeremy Buhay first drove into Powell River in 2013, he felt an instant pull toward the Sunshine Coast and its community spirit. Within a year of moving to the community and partnering in a previous clinic, he rebranded as Marine Chiropractic & Wellness.
This spring he officially absorbed the long-standing patient roster of retiring practitioner Dr. Ted Johnson.
“Dr. Johnson carried forward a tradition of high-quality, hands-on chiropractic that began with Dr. Jack Richardson,” explains Buhay. “My goal is to honour that legacy while expanding what people think chiropractic can do.”
Dr. Buhay, who grew up in Saskatchewan and earned his Doctor of Chiropractic in Toronto, describes himself as a “corrective chiropractor.” Rather than concentrating only on relieving mechanical back pain, he looks for underlying dysfunctions in the spine and nervous system that may be limiting overall health.
Every new patient undergoes a comprehensive assessment that blends heart-rate variability, surface EMG, thermography and an AI-driven posture analysis.
“Chiropractors are physicians of the spine, musculoskeletal system and nervous system,” he says. “The nervous system piece often gets overlooked, yet it’s the master controller.”
Dr. Buhay points to recent research showing that precise spinal adjustments can enhance brain/body communication, improving the brain’s ability to interpret internal and external signals. In practice, this can lead to improved dexterity, better mood and greater resilience to stress.
“When the brain can perceive the body more clearly, dexterity, mood and even stress resilience can change.”
One striking example came from a man who had endured crushing head pressure for three decades, despite MRI scans, CT scans and multiple medications.
“After his first full-spine adjustment, the headaches disappeared,” he adds. “Six months later, they’re still gone, and he tells me he finally feels like himself again.”
Because spinal misalignments often stem from lifestyle pressures, Marine Chiropractic & Wellness builds care plans around four pillars: spinal correction, mental well-being, exercise and nutrition.
Dr. Buhay refers clients to massage therapists, physiotherapists, naturopaths, personal trainers or counselling services whenever a structural issue is linked to weak musculature, systemic inflammation or chronic emotional stress.
“The adjustment is the spark,” he says, “but lasting results come when we also balance movement patterns, diet and thought habits.”
Patients typically receive their first gentle adjustment on day one, then return to review scan results and discuss goals ranging from “just getting by” to full health optimization. For those in physically demanding jobs or with limited access to other providers, Dr. Buhay’s varied techniques—traditional manual adjustments, precision instruments and low-force methods—offer options for every comfort level.
Pain remains the most common reason people book an appointment, yet Dr. Buhay urges residents to view chiropractic as proactive care. Low energy, restless sleep, poor digestion or a nagging sense that life could feel better are all signals that the nervous system may be working overtime.
“You can feel fine but function poorly. Small dysfunctions accumulate like straws on a camel’s back until one day something simple—picking up a hair dryer—triggers major pain. Corrective care helps remove those straws before they break you.”
Ultimately, Dr. Buhay hopes his expanded practice will shift the local conversation from masking symptoms to cultivating vibrant health.
“Life doesn’t have to be lived in low gear,” he says. “When your brain and body talk clearly, you sleep deeply, move easily and meet stress head-on. That’s the potential we want to unlock for every person who walks through our door.”
For more information, go to marinechiropractic.ca.
