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Meet a Chiropractor – Danella Whittaker of Winnipeg

While you can find chiropractors in nearly every city and town throughout the USA, the popularity of natural chiropractic care isn't limited to the continental US. I recently had the opportunity to interview a Canadian Chiropractor, and get her views on practicing in Canada, her thoughts on chiropractic, as well as other info about her community. It's a pleasure to be sharing with you this interview featuring Dr. Danella Whittaker, an extraordinary DC practicing in the beautiful area of Winnipeg, Manitoba.

By Daria Belov

While you can find chiropractors in nearly every city and town throughout the USA, the popularity of natural chiropractic care isn’t limited to the continental US. I recently had the opportunity to interview a Canadian Chiropractor, and get her views on practicing in Canada, her thoughts on chiropractic, as well as other info about her community. It’s a pleasure to be sharing with you this interview featuring Dr. Danella Whittaker, an extraordinary DC practicing in the beautiful area of Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Danella Whittaker - Winnipeg ChiropractorDanella Whittaker — Family First Chiropractic & Wellness
www.entertogetwell.ca
589 Saint Anne’s Road – Winnipeg, Manitoba R2M 5A9 – 204-254-1313

PC: Thanks for being with us Dr. Whittaker. I noticed the terms Family and Wellness in your office name, how did you go about choosing to name your office?

DW: We chose the name Family First Chiropractic for three reasons. First we moved to Winnipeg to be close to our family, second because we decided that we wanted to focus our practice towards family care and lastly we wanted to put our own family’s well-being first when we set up our office hours, policies and procedures.

PC: Did you attend Chiropractic School in the US or Canada?

DW: Both my husband (Jason Whittaker) and I went to Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College (CMCC) in Toronto. The great thing about going to CMCC is that I had to fight for my belief in chiropractic the entire time so it made me a very strong chiropractor in the end. However, if I had it to do over again I would likely go to Palmer.

PC: What types of techniques are practiced in your office?

DW: Our office predominantly uses Koren Specific Technique with a blend of some Thompson, Gonstead, and CranioSacral.

PC: That’s a nice selection of techniques, what types of individuals does the practice attract?

DW: We predominantly attract families who are interested in natural health, especially pregnant women and babies. It occasionally feels like a romper room in our office but I wouldn’t have it any other way.

PC: I’ve heard healthcare coverage can differ in Canada from the US, how do people pay for care in your practice?

DW: Payment in our office is on a per-visit basis. Manitoba Health does provide a very small bit of coverage and we work that into our fees. We do not bill directly to private insurance but will provide statements when necessary.

PC: Besides the awesomeness of Family First Chiropractic & Wellness, what’s located in your practice vicinity?

DW: Our practice is located in a part of Winnipeg known as St. Vital. Next door to us is the greatest Thai food restaurant in the world. We are also very close to the Seine river walking trail which is beautiful anytime of year.

PC: Nice, people can come get adjusted, enjoy a great Thai meal, and take a healthy nature walk or hike. How did you get introduced to chiropractic?

DW: I suffered from migraine headaches from a very early age. The headaches that I had were debilitating. A team mate in university suggested I see a chiropractor and I have never looked back since. It was life changing for me. Not only did my headaches stop (which really would have been enough for me), but my vision improved, my sense of balance changed, my posture changed, and my attitude towards not only health and healing but life in general changed. I am truly grateful that my team mate suggested chiropractic and for a chiropractor by the name of Dr. Brad Lorenz. I wouldn’t be who I am today if it wasn’t for him.

PC: That’s quite a testimonial. Amazing that something so terrible as chronic migraine headaches responded to chiropractic care, and you became a chiropractor as a result, that’s terrific. Are the any other members of your family that are chiropractors?

DW: I do have a great uncle who was a chiropractor, but he never spoke much of it. I really, really wish he had.

PC: You show a passion for what you do, it must ignite excitement among the people you care for. Do they ask about chiropractic schools and do you offer any recommendations or advice?

DW: I would recommend that they really research the school that they decide to go to. I particularly like schools which focus on chiropractic primarily, such as Palmer, Life or Life West. I always recommend that they go to the school and take a tour, talk to the students and talk to graduates.

PC: What’s Winnipeg like? The secret tropical paradise of North America?

DW: Winnipeg, otherwise known as “Winterpeg” because it really is as cold as everyone thinks it is; or “waterpeg” because we tend to flood in the spring; or “windypeg” because we are home to the windiest corner in North America.

Which ever it is… you dress appropriately and you cuddle lots. 🙂 The people who live here are wonderful and love it here. There is a lot of opportunity for sports whether it’s cross-country skiing in the winter, volleyball, basketball or rowing in the summer. Winnipeg is an exceptionally beautiful city because there are two winding rivers which travel throughout the city, so no matter where you are in the city you are always close to water.

Winnipeg is a also a wonderful city to be a chiropractor who works with pregnant women and families. We have a wonderful network of midwives, doulas and obstetricians who all work together to the benefit of the mother and the baby. Winnipeg also has an excellent selection of organic restaurants and natural health stores. We really are surrounded with excellent options for being and staying healthy.

PC: Wow, between the hiking, rowing, cross-country skiing, and volleyball, (and of course your chiropractic care) one can really stay fit. Are you actively involved in any community activities?

DW: I am particularity involved in the birthing community in Winnipeg. I was on the board of the Manitoba Association of Child and Family Education (MACFE) for two years and am now the editor of the Birth Vine which is a quarterly magazine put out by MACFE.

PC: So besides Drs. Danella and Jason, what is your community’s claim to fame?

DW: Unfortunately our city is most known for our cold winters and mosquitoes who take over our city for a few short months in the summer. But most people don’t realize that Winnie-the-pooh is named after Winnipeg.

PC: Hmm, mosquitoes and cold winters, the best of both worlds. You must have a nice and warm office, what’s it like?

DW: Our office is located within a cozy strip plaza off of Saint Anne’s Road. The office has a warm and inviting atmosphere from the moment you walk in the door. We tailor to children so there is a large tree painted in the reception area with photos of all our kids’ faces on stencils of fruits. Walking into our adjusting bay you will see a large open area that fosters an environment where families meet other families. And my favorite thing in the practice is a ceiling mural of the Michelangelo’s creation of Adam. I love the feeling that painting gives me. I like to think that new life is breathed in to my patient’s body each time I give a chiropractic adjustment.

PC: A local Canadian TV news crew walks in your front door and your live on television. The reporter asks “what is it that you do here?” You reply…

DW: We restore health into the lives of each and every person who walks through our door. As a chiropractor it is my honor to work with the intelligent healing force that runs through the human form. Ultimately, in order for our patients to function optimally there must be 100% intelligent communication between the brain and every cell of the body through the nervous system. If this communication is interfered with through spinal misalignments or what we call subluxation, then sickness and malfunction is the ultimate end result. It is through a chiropractic adjustment that we can unlock the potential of this intelligence and allow our patient to heal naturally from within. I feel so grateful that I am given the opportunity to be a chiropractor and that people welcome me into their lives everyday.

PC: Thanks for being a part of our Planet Chiropractic interview series Dr. Whittaker. For those around Winnipeg seeking to unlock their potential, I listed your contact info here.

Danella Whittaker, Chiropractor
Family First Chiropractic & Wellness
589 Saint Anne’s Road, Winnipeg, Manitoba R2M 5A9
204-254-1313


Do you know an exceptional chiropractor Planet Chiropractic should be speaking with? Tell them to visit and add their office contact information to the comments on this Chiropractors blog post. Our writing staff can then contact them. It’s as simple as that.

planetc1.com-news @ 1:29 pm | Article ID: 1215721786

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