About
Dr. Catharine A. Hildebrand is a dedicated Chiropractor practicing at Union Wellness Centre in Waterloo, ON. She is committed to providing high-quality, patient-centered care that aligns with the standards set by the College of Chiropractors of Ontario (CCO). With a compassionate approach, Dr. Hildebrand focuses on understanding each patient’s unique needs and developing personalized treatment plans to promote healing and wellness. Her goal is to support her patients in achieving a better quality of life through effective chiropractic interventions and holistic health strategies.Dr. Hildebrand’s expertise encompasses a broad spectrum of neuromusculoskeletal conditions, and she is passionate about helping patients of all ages, from infants to seniors. She emphasizes a comprehensive approach, addressing not only the symptoms but also the underlying causes of discomfort. Her gentle, empathetic manner fosters a trusting environment where patients feel supported and empowered to take an active role in their health journey.With a solid foundation in evidence-based chiropractic practices, Dr. Hildebrand continually advances her skills through ongoing professional development. She aims to incorporate the latest research and techniques into her practice to ensure her patients receive the most effective care possible. She offers care in English, and her commitment is to help her community achieve optimal health and vitality through compassionate chiropractic services.
Dr. Catharine A. Hildebrand provides skilled chiropractic care for a variety of conditions, including but not limited to:
Specific Populations & Injury Types
- Motor Vehicle Accident Injuries (e.g., Whiplash, Back Strain): Musculoskeletal trauma resulting from car accidents, commonly involving whiplash-associated disorders (neck pain, stiffness, headaches), back strains, soft tissue damage, and joint sprains.
- Pregnancy-Related Musculoskeletal Pain: Chiropractic care adapted for the unique needs of expectant mothers, focusing on maintaining comfort, optimizing pelvic alignment, and preparing for childbirth.
- Geriatric Care (Mobility, Stiffness, Fall Prevention): Supporting active aging by addressing the specific musculoskeletal needs of seniors, enhancing their comfort and independence.
Back & Spine Conditions
- Sciatica & Lumbar Radiculopathy (Radiating Leg Pain): Management of sciatic nerve pain and other forms of radiating leg symptoms through chiropractic care aimed at relieving pressure on the affected nerve.
- Rib Pain / Intercostal Neuralgia / Costochondritis: Care for conditions like costochondritis or rib subluxations, aiming to restore proper rib mechanics and alleviate chest wall or mid-back discomfort.
- Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD) / Spondylosis: Age-related 'wear and tear' changes in the spinal discs and joints that can lead to pain, stiffness, and reduced flexibility. Spondylosis refers to general spinal degeneration.
General Musculoskeletal & Systemic Conditions
- Muscle Strains & Ligament Sprains (Various Regions): Injuries to muscles (strains or 'pulls') or ligaments (sprains) due to overstretching or tearing, resulting in pain, swelling, bruising, and functional limitation in various parts of the body.
- Bursitis (Various Regions): Inflammation of a bursa (a small, fluid-filled sac that acts as a cushion between bones, tendons, and muscles near joints), causing localized pain, tenderness, and sometimes swelling.
- Postural Imbalances & Related Pain: Helping you achieve better posture to alleviate pain, improve breathing, and enhance overall physical well-being.
- Scoliosis (Functional & Pain Management): Chiropractic strategies to help alleviate discomfort and improve spinal mechanics in cases of functional scoliosis or pain related to structural scoliosis.
This list offers examples of conditions commonly addressed. If your specific concern isn't listed, please contact the clinic. Dr. Hildebrand can assess your needs.
- Nutritional & Lifestyle Counselling: Providing general advice on diet, supplementation (within scope), exercise, sleep hygiene, and stress management techniques to support your overall health, healing, and well-being.
- Kinesiology Taping / Athletic Taping: Application of elastic therapeutic tape (e.g., Kinesio Tape®) or rigid athletic tape to support joints, reduce pain, manage swelling, facilitate or inhibit muscle function.
- Custom Foot Orthotic Assessment & Prescription: Providing personalized foot supports to improve alignment, reduce pain, and enhance comfort.
- Sports Injury Management & Performance Optimization: Helping athletes of all levels recover from injury and achieve their performance goals.
- Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA) Rehabilitation: Comprehensive chiropractic care for injuries sustained in car accidents, such as whiplash, neck pain, back pain, and soft tissue damage, focusing on pain relief and functional restoration.
- Concussion Management & Rehabilitation: Supporting recovery from concussion through targeted therapies and guided return-to-play/learn strategies.
Note: This list highlights some key services offered by Dr. Hildebrand. 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 Ontario (CCO).
At Union Wellness Centre, chiropractic care is focused on helping individuals like you achieve significant improvements in health and daily activities. Dr. Hildebrand frequently helps patients work towards goals such as:
- If general joint stiffness all over, making me feel old is impacting your daily life and preventing you from enjoying consistently running your usual 5k/10k route at a comfortable pace, know that effective chiropractic care can help. Dr. Catharine focuses on achieving feeling stronger, more stable, and more resilient in their body so you can engage in the things you love again.
- Dr. Catharine understands how frustrating shoulder bursitis pain can be. By aiming for being able to sit for longer periods comfortably, whether for work or leisure, chiropractic care can empower you to return to activities like easily carrying all the groceries from the car in one or two trips with renewed confidence.
- Getting back to safely lifting and carrying heavy items at work or around the house after struggling with migraines that seemed linked to my neck stiffness is a frequent aspiration for patients at Dr. Catharine's clinic. A dedicated care plan often leads to a quicker and more complete recovery from sports-related injuries and a return to a more active life.
- Many individuals visit Dr. Catharine because they are tired of dealing with overall body soreness that doesn't go away. Through a personalized chiropractic care plan, they often find they can achieve a significant reduction in the severity and daily impact of TMJ symptoms and get back to enjoying important activities like walking around the mall or shopping centers.
Your personalized chiropractic care plan, developed with Dr. Hildebrand, will be designed to help you reach your specific functional and wellness objectives.
Union Wellness Centre is situated in the Waterloo East (Glenridge, Lincoln Heights) neighborhood of Waterloo. The clinic is conveniently located near the Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex, making it easy for patients to access care whether they are coming from nearby neighborhoods or other parts of the city. The practice is well-connected via Grand River Transit (GRT), including bus routes and the ION Light Rail, ensuring accessible public transportation options. Our clinic is wheelchair accessible. Free patient parking is typically available on-site or nearby.
- Do I need a doctor's referral to see a Chiropractor in ON?
- In Ontario, chiropractors are primary contact healthcare professionals, which means patients can book an appointment directly without a referral from a medical doctor. However, some private or extended health insurance plans may still require a doctor's referral for reimbursement purposes. It is advisable to check the specifics of your individual insurance policy to confirm coverage.
- What does a chiropractor mean by a 'subluxation' or 'joint restriction'?
- A subluxation or joint restriction is a term used to describe a joint that is 'stuck' or not moving as it should. This can cause pain, stiffness, and interfere with the nerves that pass nearby. Chiropractors are trained to identify and correct these dysfunctions through adjustments.
- Do chiropractors provide exercises or stretches?
- Definitely. While adjustments are a core part of chiropractic care, most Chiropractors also incorporate rehabilitative exercise and stretching into their treatment plans. These are designed to support the effects of your adjustments, correct muscle imbalances, and empower you to manage your condition effectively.
- Is chiropractic care covered by Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) in ON?
- Most patients should be aware that OHIP generally does NOT cover chiropractic services in private clinics for the majority of the population. There might be very limited exceptions through specific government programs or if care is delivered within a Community Health Centre or Family Health Team that has integrated chiropractic services. It is important to verify your private insurance coverage, as many plans offer substantial benefits for chiropractic care.
- Is chiropractic treatment, especially an adjustment, painful?
- Most patients find chiropractic adjustments to be a comfortable procedure. The goal is to reduce pain and improve function. While there might be a brief moment of pressure, it’s rarely painful. If your muscles are very tight or joints are inflamed, you might feel some temporary soreness afterward, but your Chiropractor will discuss this with you and tailor the force and technique to your needs.
Union Wellness Centre
130-100 Regina St S
Waterloo, ON N2J 4P9
Phone: (519) 725-2275
Dr. Catharine A. Hildebrand is regulated by the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 and the Chiropractic Act, 1991 in ON and is a member of the College of Chiropractors of Ontario (CCO).
Verify registration with the College of Chiropractors of Ontario (CCO): https://cco.ca.thentiacloud.net/webs/cco/register/?t=1#/registrant/all/all/all/all/all/all/3200/10/595d5ea965a9f0df10fcefdf
Always consult with your primary healthcare provider before starting any new treatment program.