Frequently asked questions

No. In British Columbia you do not need a doctor's referral to see a chiropractor or registered massage therapist — you can book directly. Some extended health insurance plans, however, may require a referral for reimbursement, so it's worth checking your plan if you intend to claim.

Plan to arrive about 10 minutes before your appointment to fill out new-patient forms, or fill them in online ahead of time through our booking page. Your first visit takes 45–60 minutes and includes a thorough health history, a focused physical exam, a clear explanation of what we found, and an initial treatment when appropriate. If chiropractic or massage therapy isn't the best fit for your situation, we'll tell you and refer you to the right provider. Better to have that conversation in the first visit than three months in.

A few things help us make the visit useful: - A list of any medications and supplements you take - Reports from any recent imaging (you don't need the films, just the report) - Your insurance details — Julie (RMT) can direct-bill most major extended health plans; chiropractic patients pay at the visit and submit the receipt for reimbursement - Comfortable clothes you can move in — gym wear is great - For sport-specific issues, the relevant footwear or gear (running shoes, cycling shoes, hockey skates) If you've seen another provider for the same issue and have notes, bring them. We'd rather not start from scratch when good information already exists.

It depends on what's going on, but most patients with uncomplicated musculoskeletal issues notice meaningful improvement within two to four visits and resolve within four to eight visits. Longer-standing problems (chronic back pain, frozen shoulder, severe whiplash) often need more — sometimes a few months of structured care. We'll give you an honest sense of what to expect at the end of your first visit, and we re-assess regularly. If we're not seeing the progress we'd expect, we change the plan or refer you to the right provider — we'd rather have that conversation than book you for visits that aren't moving the needle.

Most patients don't need imaging before chiropractic care. The decision to refer for X-ray, MRI, or other tests is based on what we find during the history and physical exam — not done routinely. We'll order or refer for imaging when there's a clinical reason: suspected fracture, neurological signs that need investigating, symptoms that aren't responding the way we'd expect, or any red-flag finding. We coordinate with your family doctor for imaging referrals when that's the right pathway.

Yes. Side effects from spinal manipulation are usually minor and short-lived — most commonly mild soreness for a day or two after treatment, similar to having had a workout. We screen at the first visit for any conditions that would change our approach, and we adjust technique accordingly. For patients who prefer not to receive cervical (neck) manipulation specifically, we use lower-force methods that are equally appropriate. The treatment is matched to what's safe and useful for you. Serious adverse events from chiropractic care are rare. The biggest predictor of safe care is a careful assessment and a provider who's willing to modify their approach when something needs adjusting.

The popping or cracking sound during a chiropractic adjustment is called a "cavitation." It's caused by a rapid change of pressure inside a joint that produces a small gas bubble in the joint fluid — the same mechanism that creates the sound when you crack your knuckles. The sound itself isn't the goal of the treatment. A successful adjustment can happen with or without a sound, and the audible cavitation doesn't indicate that anything was "put back in place." What matters is the change in joint motion and symptoms after the adjustment, not whether you heard a pop.

No. There's a persistent myth that chiropractic care creates dependency — it doesn't. Most patients come in for a specific issue, get to a resolution, and stop. Some come back occasionally for tune-ups or new issues; many don't need to. If you're seeing recommendations for years of frequent visits without a clear clinical rationale, that's worth questioning. At Bluebird, we'll have honest conversations about whether continued care is actually helping. If the right answer is to space visits out or stop, that's the conversation we have.

Yes — it's common to feel mildly sore for a day or two after a chiropractic adjustment, soft-tissue treatment, or deep massage. The sensation is similar to having done a focused workout: a dull achiness in the treated area that resolves within 24–48 hours. Things that can help in the first day after treatment: - Drinking water normally (no need to over-hydrate, but don't get behind) - Gentle movement — a walk, easy stretching - Avoiding really intense activity right after if you're already sore Things that aren't normal: sharp pain that lasts more than a couple of days, significant bruising in unexpected places, or worsening of your original symptoms beyond the first day. If any of those happen, give us a call so we can adjust the next session.

Usually yes — and often we encourage it. Movement after treatment helps the body integrate the changes from hands-on work. A walk, light cycling, or your normal training session is generally fine. A few situations where we'd suggest dialing it back for the first 24 hours: - After a particularly intense soft-tissue session - During the acute phase of a new injury (we'll tell you specifically) - If you're already running hot — sleep-deprived, stressed, sore from a hard workout If your training is at all unusual (heavy lifting day, long run, intense sport), tell us at the start of the appointment so we can match the intensity of the treatment to what your week looks like.

Yes — many patients do, and the two often complement each other well. Chiropractic care addresses the joint and movement layer; RMT addresses the muscle and soft-tissue layer. For most musculoskeletal issues, both contribute. A few practical notes: - We coordinate care between practitioners at Bluebird so you're not getting redundant treatment - Most extended health insurance plans cover both as separate paramedical services with their own annual limits If you're unsure which to start with, book what feels right and the practitioner you see can recommend whether to add the other into the picture.

Yes — and we adjust technique to match. Older adults often have considerations (osteoporosis, joint replacements, blood thinners, multiple medications) that change the appropriate approach. We screen carefully at the first visit and modify treatment accordingly. For patients with significant osteoporosis, joint replacements, or other situations where high-velocity adjustments aren't appropriate, we use lower-force methods — mobilizations, instrument-assisted adjusting, and soft-tissue work — that are equally effective for many of the issues older adults come in for. The goal across every age group is the same: address what's bothering you with the technique that's right for your body, and build the strength and mobility that supports the activities you want to keep doing.

Some patients find regular maintenance visits useful for managing chronic conditions, supporting heavy training cycles, or staying ahead of recurring issues. Others come in only when something flares up. Both approaches are valid. What we don't recommend: frequent ongoing visits without a clear reason. If you're seeing protocols of "twice a week forever" prescribed without a clinical rationale that fits your situation, that's worth questioning. If you find that occasional maintenance visits help you stay active and feel good, that's a reasonable choice. If you only need to come in when something's bothering you, that's equally reasonable. We'll work with whichever rhythm fits your life and your goals.

Both are regulated health professions in BC, with overlapping but distinct scopes. **Registered Massage Therapists (RMTs)** focus on the soft-tissue side — muscles, fascia, tendons. Treatment is hands-on with techniques including therapeutic massage, myofascial work, and joint mobilizations. RMTs use focused assessment and develop treatment plans, with strong emphasis on the manual therapy itself. **Physiotherapists** have a broader scope that includes more emphasis on rehabilitation programming, manual therapy, modalities, and (in BC) the ability to use needling techniques like dry needling and IMS. PT programs are typically masters-level training. In practice, both can be great at addressing musculoskeletal issues. The right choice often comes down to what you're looking for: hands-on treatment with a strong manual component (RMT) versus a more rehabilitation-program-focused approach (PT). Many patients see both at different stages of recovery.

Wear whatever you're comfortable in. For the treatment itself, you'll undress to your comfort level — most patients undress to underwear, but you set the level. You're always covered with a sheet during the session, and only the area being treated is uncovered. If you'd prefer to keep certain clothing on, that's fine — let your therapist know and they'll adjust the techniques used. Comfort matters; treatment doesn't work if you're stressed about being uncovered.

Yes. Under ICBC's Enhanced Care framework, you're pre-approved for up to 25 chiropractic visits and 12 RMT visits in the first 12 weeks after a motor vehicle accident. **A note on billing:** we don't direct-bill ICBC. You'll pay for treatment at the visit and submit your receipts to ICBC for reimbursement directly. We provide all the clinical documentation you need to support the claim. If direct billing is important to you, you may want to find a clinic that offers it. You don't need a doctor's referral, and you don't need to be at-fault, not-at-fault, or to have decided about a personal injury claim. You just need an active ICBC claim number (the CL-#### number you got when you reported the accident). If care needs to continue past the 12-week window, that's possible — we submit a treatment-plan extension request to ICBC supported by your clinical findings.

Most extended health insurance plans cover chiropractic and registered massage therapy, but the specifics vary widely: - Annual maximums range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars depending on the plan - Some plans require a doctor's referral for reimbursement (even though you don't need one to see us) - Coverage may be per-practitioner-type or pooled across paramedical services For chiropractic visits with Dr. Steve or Dr. Laura, we don't direct-bill extended health plans. You pay for the visit at the time of service, and we provide a detailed receipt to submit to your insurer — most major insurers turn reimbursement around within a few days. For RMT visits with Julie, direct billing to most major extended health insurers is available — Julie offers direct billing on her side of the practice. Before your first visit, the cleanest move is to check your plan summary or call your insurer to confirm your annual maximum, what's required for reimbursement, and whether a referral is needed.

Current rates are listed on our [booking page](https://bluebirdsportandspine.janeapp.com) and at the front desk. Rates vary by visit type (new patient, follow-up, treatment length) and provider. Most extended health plans cover a portion of each visit. For chiropractic visits with Dr. Steve or Dr. Laura, you pay at the time of the visit and submit your receipt to your insurer for reimbursement (most reimburse within a few days). For RMT visits with Julie, direct billing to most major extended health insurers is available. If cost is a barrier to starting care, let us know — we'd rather have an honest conversation about what's possible than have someone avoid care they'd benefit from.

We accept Visa, Mastercard, debit, and cash. You pay at the time of the visit, and we issue a detailed receipt (digitally to your email, or printed on request) for your records or for submission to your insurer. For **chiropractic visits** with Dr. Steve or Dr. Laura, we don't direct-bill any insurer — you pay at the visit and submit the receipt for reimbursement. For **RMT visits** with Julie, direct billing to most major extended health insurers is available. We don't direct-bill ICBC or WorkSafe BC, and we don't accept WorkSafe BC claims.

For most pregnancies, yes — when delivered by a provider with appropriate training and modifications. Chiropractic during pregnancy uses adapted positioning (with pregnancy support pillows so you're never on your stomach), lower-force techniques, and an approach matched to what's appropriate for each trimester. Major reviews of the evidence find no increase in adverse pregnancy outcomes associated with chiropractic care, and patient-reported satisfaction is consistently high — particularly for low back, pelvic, and SI joint pain. Dr. Laura is certified in the Webster Technique and has advanced training in pregnancy and pediatric care. She'll screen at every visit for any obstetric concerns that warrant referring back to your prenatal team. More detail on our [pregnancy and postpartum care](/services/pregnancy-and-postpartum-care/) page.

Yes — Dr. Laura sees infants, toddlers, and older children. Pediatric chiropractic uses very gentle, age-appropriate techniques — for an infant, "treatment" might be a few seconds of fingertip pressure and specific positioning, not anything resembling an adult adjustment. We work within musculoskeletal scope: torticollis, asymmetric movement patterns, sport-related injuries in older kids, postural strain, growing-pain patterns. We don't treat non-musculoskeletal conditions in children — for those, your pediatrician or family doctor is the right call. More detail on our [pediatric chiropractic](/services/pediatric-chiropractic/) page.

The easiest way to book is through our [online booking page](https://bluebirdsportandspine.janeapp.com), which is open 24/7 and shows real-time practitioner availability. You can also call us at (250) 545-7545 during clinic hours. Cancellations and reschedules can be done through the booking page or by calling. We appreciate as much notice as possible (at least 24 hours) so we can offer the time to another patient. Late cancellations and no-shows may incur a fee — details are in your booking confirmation. If something comes up at the last minute, just let us know. Life happens, and we'd rather know than have you avoid the call.

Yes, in almost all cases. Chiropractic and massage therapy treatments don't impair your ability to drive. A small number of patients feel a bit lightheaded or relaxed for the first 5–10 minutes after a deep treatment — particularly after an extensive massage. If you feel that way, take a moment in the waiting area or have a glass of water before getting in the car. Otherwise, no restrictions.

Where it's helpful and you'd like us to, yes. Our scope is the musculoskeletal piece — joints, muscles, soft tissues, movement — and we work alongside other providers when broader care is needed. Common situations where we coordinate: - Significant pain after an injury where imaging or a specialist consult might help - Chronic conditions where we want to be aligned with the medical management - Pregnancy care, working alongside your OB, midwife, or family doctor - Pediatric care, communicating with pediatricians or public health nurses - ICBC claims, where reports and documentation are needed - Pelvic floor concerns, where we coordinate with a pelvic floor physiotherapist We'll ask before sending notes anywhere, and you can request a clinical summary or letter at any time.

We'll tell you, and we'll help you find the right person. Some things are outside our scope: significant disc injuries that need surgical consult, neurological conditions that need a specialist, mental health concerns, complex medical conditions where we're not the right provider. When we identify that, we say so — and we'll point you toward the right pathway, whether that's your family doctor, a specialist referral, pelvic floor physiotherapy, or another provider in town. The honest version: a careful "this isn't quite my lane" early in care saves you weeks or months of treatment that wasn't going to work.

We work by appointment. Same-day appointments are sometimes available depending on the schedule — call us at (250) 545-7545 to ask, or check the [online booking page](https://bluebirdsportandspine.janeapp.com) which shows real-time availability. For urgent injuries from a motor vehicle accident, give us a call and we'll do our best to fit you in early — early care after an MVA matters, and we'll work with you to make it happen.