Dr. Erica L. Hakes

Dr. Erica L. Hakes provides skilled chiropractic care for a variety of conditions, including but not limited to:

Head, Neck & Jaw Conditions

• Neck Pain (Acute & Chronic): Discomfort, stiffness, or aching in the neck, which can arise suddenly or develop over time, often impacting daily movement and potentially referring pain to the shoulders or arms.
• TMJ / Jaw Pain (Temporomandibular Disorders - TMD): Addressing the biomechanical factors contributing to TMD, helping to alleviate muscle tension around the jaw and restore comfortable movement.

Back & Spine Conditions

• Mid-Back Pain (Thoracic Spine Pain / Interscapular Pain): Addressing the causes of thoracic spine pain, including joint dysfunction and muscular imbalances, to improve comfort and mobility.
• Spondylolisthesis (Lower Grades): A condition where one vertebra slips forward over the one below it, potentially causing back pain, leg pain, or nerve compression (conservative management for lower grades).

Shoulder, Arm & Hand Conditions

• Frozen Shoulder (Adhesive Capsulitis): Gentle mobilization and specific exercises to help improve movement and reduce pain for those suffering from a frozen shoulder.
• Tennis Elbow / Golfer's Elbow (Epicondylitis): Treatment for lateral or medial epicondylitis, focusing on reducing tendon strain, alleviating pain, and restoring grip strength.

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

• Sacro-Occipital Technique (SOT®): A gentle technique focusing on the relationship between the sacrum (base of the spine) and occiput (base of the skull), often using pelvic blocks and cranial work to restore nervous system function (practitioner certification dependent).
• Diversified Technique: Classic chiropractic adjustments characterized by precise, gentle thrusts to correct joint dysfunction.
• Activator Methods® Technique: Precise and gentle corrections delivered with a handheld adjusting instrument.
• Flexion-Distraction Therapy (e.g., Cox® Technic): Spinal decompression and mobilization performed on a specialized table to relieve pressure on discs and nerves.
• Gonstead Technique: A specific system of analysis (including X-ray review, instrumentation) and full-spine manual adjustments designed for precision and thoroughness (practitioner specialization).
• Thompson Drop-Table Technique: Low-force adjustments facilitated by a segmented 'drop piece' table to enhance joint mobilization.

Note: This list highlights some key services offered by Dr. Hakes. 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 Dr. Erica Hakes, chiropractic care is focused on helping individuals like you achieve significant improvements in health and daily activities. Dr. Hakes frequently helps patients work towards goals such as:

• Many individuals visit Dr. Erica because they are tired of dealing with that runner's knee grinding feeling. Through a personalized chiropractic care plan, they often find they can achieve a better understanding of their condition and effective self-care strategies and get back to enjoying important activities like standing and walking comfortably while attending concerts and live events.
• Getting back to swimming laps at the community pool after struggling with parts of my hand/foot falling asleep is a frequent aspiration for patients at Dr. Erica's clinic. A dedicated care plan often leads to waking up feeling more rested and with less morning stiffness and a return to a more active life.
• Dr. Erica understands how frustrating feeling like my neck muscles are rocks can be. By aiming for a noticeable reduction in daily aches, allowing for more comfortable days, chiropractic care can empower you to return to activities like sitting through long, important meetings without fidgeting or back pain with renewed confidence.
• Experience the significant benefit of feeling more aligned and balanced in their posture if you're dealing with poor posture from my desk job causing neck/back ache. Dr. Erica helps patients regain their ability to fully participate in activities like enjoying your competitive tennis matches on Saturday mornings again through focused and gentle chiropractic treatments.

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

Dr. Erica Hakes’s practice is situated in a modern clinic located in the central Courtice neighborhood of Courtice, ON. The clinic is conveniently positioned near local community services and pharmacies, making it easy for patients to access comprehensive healthcare options in one location. The facility is accessible via local public transit routes, ensuring that patients from various parts of the community can visit with ease. 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, meaning 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, even though it is not legally necessary to see the Chiropractor. Patients should check the specifics of their insurance policies to confirm coverage.

Do Chiropractors work with other healthcare professionals?

Yes, chiropractors often believe in a collaborative approach to healthcare. We frequently work with and refer to other healthcare professionals such as family physicians, physiotherapists, massage therapists, naturopathic doctors, and specialists when it is in the best interest of our patients to ensure comprehensive and optimal care.

Will I need to get X-rays before starting chiropractic care?

X-rays are not routinely required for every patient. Dr. Hakes will conduct a thorough history and physical examination to determine if X-rays or other imaging studies are clinically necessary. Imaging is typically recommended to rule out more serious conditions such as fractures or pathology, to assess for significant spinal degeneration or instability, or if a patient's condition is not improving as expected with conservative care. All imaging decisions are made following established diagnostic guidelines to minimize radiation exposure.

Is chiropractic care covered by Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) in ON?

Ontario's OHIP generally does not cover chiropractic services in private clinics for most of the population. There may 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, which is rare for typical private practice. Patients are advised to check their private insurance plans for coverage.

Do chiropractors only treat back pain?

It's a common misconception that chiropractors only deal with back problems. In reality, we treat a broad array of conditions affecting the body's structure and function. If you have pain or dysfunction in any joint or muscle, from your jaw to your toes, a chiropractor may be able to help.

Dr Erica Hakes
1411 KING STREET EAST Unit 3
Courtice, ON L1E 2J5

Phone: (289) 356-1072

Dr. Erica L. Hakes 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/3960/10/595d5ea965a9f0df10fcf6fe

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