Dr. Brent Bluekens – Chiropractor | Lethbridge, AB

Dr. Brent Bluekens is a dedicated Chiropractor practicing at Functional Health and Chiropractic Center in Lethbridge, AB. Brent is committed to providing high-quality, patient-centered care that aligns with the standards set by the College of Chiropractors of Alberta (CCOA). His approach emphasizes a thorough understanding of each patient's unique health needs, fostering a supportive environment where individuals feel empowered to participate actively in their healing journey.

Dr. Bluekens's focus is on providing comprehensive chiropractic assessment and treatment for a broad spectrum of neuromusculoskeletal conditions, with an emphasis on spinal health and overall well-being. He serves patients of all ages, from infants to seniors, ensuring that every individual receives tailored care designed to promote natural healing and long-term health benefits. His gentle, empathetic approach helps patients feel comfortable and confident throughout their treatment experience.

With a deep commitment to ongoing professional development, Dr. Brent Bluekens continually updates his skills and knowledge to incorporate the latest evidence-based practices. He strives to offer treatments that are safe, effective, and respectful of each patient's unique circumstances. Dr. Bluekens offers care in English, ensuring clear communication and personalized attention for his diverse patient community.

Dr. Brent Bluekens provides skilled chiropractic care for a variety of conditions, including but not limited to:

General Musculoskeletal & Systemic Conditions

• Scoliosis (Functional & Pain Management): Providing supportive care for individuals with scoliosis (abnormal spinal curvature), focusing on managing associated musculoskeletal pain, improving posture, addressing muscle imbalances, and enhancing functional capacity.
• Postural Imbalances & Related Pain: Helping you achieve better posture to alleviate pain, improve breathing, and enhance overall physical well-being.

Back & Spine Conditions

• Sciatica & Lumbar Radiculopathy (Radiating Leg Pain): Pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness that travels from the lower back down one or both legs, often caused by irritation or compression of a spinal nerve root in the lumbar spine.
• Low Back Pain (Acute, Subacute, Chronic): Helping you overcome lower back pain through targeted adjustments, soft tissue therapy, and corrective exercises to improve spinal mechanics.
• Facet Joint Syndrome / Facet Pain: Addressing inflammation and dysfunction in the facet joints to provide relief from specific types of spinal pain.

Head, Neck & Jaw Conditions

• Headaches (Cervicogenic, Tension-Type, Migraine Support): Comprehensive assessment to determine if your headaches have a musculoskeletal origin, followed by tailored treatment to alleviate pain and improve function.
• Whiplash Associated Disorders (WAD): A range of symptoms including neck pain, stiffness, headaches, and dizziness following a sudden acceleration-deceleration injury, typically from a car accident.

This list offers examples of conditions commonly addressed. If your specific concern isn't listed, please contact the clinic. Dr. Bluekens can assess your needs.

• Personalized Therapeutic Exercise Prescription: Tailored rehabilitative exercises to address specific weaknesses, imbalances, or mobility restrictions.
• Geriatric Chiropractic Care: Chiropractic care to help seniors maintain activity levels, manage arthritis pain, and improve stability.
• Prenatal & Postnatal Chiropractic Care: Chiropractic care to help manage pregnancy-related pain and support postpartum recovery.
• Pediatric Chiropractic Care: Supporting healthy growth and development in children through age-appropriate chiropractic care.
• Webster Technique (for Pregnancy): Gentle chiropractic care tailored for pregnancy using the Webster Technique to promote pelvic balance.
• Core Stability & Strengthening Programs: Targeted training to build a strong and stable core, essential for back health and efficient movement.

Note: This list highlights some key services offered by Dr. Bluekens. For a full list or to discuss your specific needs, please contact the clinic.

All services are provided in accordance with standards set by the College of Chiropractors of Alberta (CCOA).

At Functional Health and Chiropractic Center, chiropractic care is focused on helping individuals like you achieve significant improvements in health and daily activities. Dr. Bluekens frequently helps patients work towards goals such as:

• If that runner's knee grinding feeling is impacting your daily life and preventing you from enjoying feeling the freedom of long motorcycle rides on open roads, know that effective chiropractic care can help. Dr. Brent focuses on achieving reduced inflammation and swelling in affected joints, promoting comfort so you can engage in the things you love again.
• Patients often share how a tweak in my lower back that won't go away affected their ability to your morning walks with the dog. With Dr. Brent's help and a focus on feeling lasting relief from chronic shoulder discomfort and clicking, many are now enjoying life with improved function and less discomfort.
• Dr. Brent frequently helps people find solutions for the limitations imposed by tailbone pain making sitting excruciating. The common goal is a marked decrease in episodes of dizziness or vertigo, leading to greater confidence, enabling a confident return to valued life activities, for instance, confidently stand-up paddleboarding, even in choppy water, with greater comfort and ease.
• Overcoming hip pain when walking long distances or climbing stairs to achieve accomplishing physical goals they once thought were out of reach and resume training for a half-marathon/marathon is a common success story at Dr. Brent's practice. Personalized care makes a real difference.

Your personalized chiropractic care plan, developed with Dr. Bluekens, will be designed to help you reach your specific functional and wellness objectives.

Dr. Bluekens's practice at Functional Health and Chiropractic Center is situated in the heart of Downtown Lethbridge, within the South Lethbridge East neighborhood. The clinic is conveniently located near Exhibition Park, making it easy for patients to find and access. It is well-connected via Lethbridge Transit, ensuring public transportation options are readily available. Our clinic is wheelchair accessible. Street parking and nearby paid lots offer convenient options for visitors.

What kind of education and training do chiropractors in Canada receive?

Chiropractors in Canada complete a rigorous post-secondary Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) degree, which typically requires a minimum of three years of undergraduate university education followed by four years of intensive study at an accredited chiropractic college. Their education includes comprehensive training in basic sciences such as anatomy, physiology, pathology, neurology, and biomechanics, along with clinical sciences like diagnostic imaging, orthopedics, and differential diagnosis. Chiropractic-specific subjects like adjusting techniques and rehabilitation are also integral, supplemented by extensive hands-on clinical internship experience. Graduates must pass demanding national and provincial board examinations to become licensed to practice as chiropractors in Canada.

Is chiropractic care covered by Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP) in AB?

In Alberta, AHCIP provides limited coverage for chiropractic services primarily for seniors aged 65 and above, as well as dependents under 18. Coverage typically includes a set number of visits or a maximum dollar amount per benefit year, often requiring co-payments. For most other adults, AHCIP generally does not cover chiropractic care in private clinics. Patients are advised to check current AHCIP limits and consult their private insurance for additional coverage options.

Do I need a doctor's referral to see a Chiropractor in AB?

No, chiropractors in Alberta are primary contact healthcare professionals. This means patients can book an appointment directly without a referral from a medical doctor. However, some private or extended health insurance plans may require a doctor's referral for reimbursement purposes. Patients should verify the specifics of their individual insurance policies.

Do chiropractors only treat back pain?

No, not at all! Although back pain is a common reason people visit a Chiropractor, they are trained to diagnose and treat many conditions related to the spine, joints, muscles, and nervous system. This includes neck pain, headaches, sciatica, sports injuries, arthritis-related pain, and pain in arms or legs.

What does a chiropractor mean by a 'subluxation' or 'joint restriction'?

When a Chiropractor refers to a subluxation or joint restriction, they describe a joint that isn’t moving properly or is misaligned in a way that can affect nerve function and cause discomfort or other health issues. Chiropractic adjustments aim to address these specific joint problems.

Functional Health and Chiropractic Center
#1 1406 3rd Ave S
Lethbridge, AB T1J 0K6

Phone: (403) 320-5019 | Website: www.functionalhealthcenter.ca

Dr. Brent Bluekens is regulated by the Health Professions Act in AB and is a member of the College of Chiropractors of Alberta (CCOA).

License #1122.0

Verify registration with the College of Chiropractors of Alberta (CCOA): https://www.theccoa.ca/CCOA/CCOA/PublicRegister/PublicRegisterDisplay.aspx?UserID=4722

Always consult with your primary healthcare provider before starting any new treatment program.