Dr. Garrett Wiltse

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

Back & Spine Conditions

• Low Back Pain (Acute, Subacute, Chronic): A common ailment causing pain, muscle tension, or stiffness in the lower back, ranging from a dull ache to sharp, debilitating pain, impacting daily activities.
• Herniated, Protruded, or Bulging Discs (Symptomatic): A condition where the soft inner part of a spinal disc pushes out, potentially pressing on nearby nerves and causing pain, numbness, or weakness in the back, neck, arms or legs.
• Spinal Stenosis (Cervical or Lumbar - Symptomatic): Conservative management options for symptomatic spinal stenosis, aiming to reduce nerve compression and improve mobility and comfort.
• 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

• 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.
• TMJ / Jaw Pain (Temporomandibular Disorders - TMD): Pain, clicking, locking, or limited movement in the jaw joint and surrounding muscles, often affecting chewing, speaking, and sometimes causing ear pain or headaches.
• 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.
• Headaches (Cervicogenic, Tension-Type, Migraine Support): Pain in the head, often linked to neck issues (cervicogenic), muscle tension (tension-type), or as a component that chiropractic care can help manage in certain migraine cases by addressing musculoskeletal triggers.

Shoulder, Arm & Hand Conditions

• Nerve Entrapments (e.g., Thoracic Outlet, Cubital Tunnel): Conditions where nerves in the shoulder, arm, or elbow area become compressed or irritated, leading to symptoms like pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness in the arm or hand.
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (Conservative Management): Symptoms like numbness, tingling, weakness, or pain in the hand and wrist caused by compression of the median nerve as it passes through the carpal tunnel at the wrist.

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

• Cross-Friction Massage: A specific deep transverse massage technique applied across affected tendons or ligaments to break down adhesions, reduce scar tissue, and promote an optimal healing environment.
• Trigger Point Therapy: Application of focused pressure to specific hyperirritable spots (trigger points) within muscles to relieve pain, reduce muscle tension, and restore normal muscle function.
• Active Release Techniques (ART®): ART® for targeted relief of soft tissue injuries and repetitive strain conditions.
• Interferential Current (IFC) / TENS Therapy: Application of gentle electrical currents (IFC or TENS) to the skin to help reduce pain, decrease muscle spasms, and promote circulation.
• Myofascial Release Technique (MRT): Hands-on therapy focused on releasing tension and restrictions in muscles and their surrounding connective tissue (fascia) to improve mobility and reduce pain.
• Graston Technique® / IASTM: Using specialized instruments to effectively break down adhesions and promote healing in soft tissues.

Note: This list highlights some key services offered by Dr. Wiltse. 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 British Columbia (CCBC).

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

• Many individuals visit Dr. Garrett because they are tired of dealing with my knee feeling unstable or giving way. Through a personalized chiropractic care plan, they often find they can achieve a noticeable reduction in daily aches, allowing for more comfortable days and get back to enjoying important activities like going up and down stairs effortlessly.
• Dr. Garrett frequently helps people find solutions for the limitations imposed by that pinched nerve feeling shooting down my arm/leg. The common goal is walking with ease, free from sharp radiating leg pain, enabling a confident return to valued life activities, for instance, sticking to your regular at-home exercise and stretching routine consistently, with greater comfort and ease.
• Experience the significant benefit of effectively managing chronic discomfort to enjoy daily life more fully if you're dealing with coccyx pain after a fall. Dr. Garrett helps patients regain their ability to fully participate in activities like crushing your CrossFit WODs (Workout of the Day) again through focused and gentle chiropractic treatments.
• Dr. Garrett understands how frustrating tmj pain and tenderness can be. By aiming for enjoying a noticeable reduction in neck stiffness and related tension, chiropractic care can empower you to return to activities like attending your children's school events and performances comfortably with renewed confidence.

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

Dr. Wiltse's practice at Origin Integrated Health is situated in a modern clinic located in the central neighborhood of Comox. The clinic is conveniently positioned near local community services and pharmacies, making it easy for patients to access comprehensive healthcare in one location. It is well-connected by local public transit routes, ensuring ease of access for those using public transportation. Our clinic is wheelchair accessible. Free patient parking is typically available on-site or nearby.

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

X-rays are not routinely required for every patient. Dr. Wiltse will conduct a thorough history and physical examination to determine if imaging studies are clinically necessary. Imaging is typically recommended to rule out more serious conditions such as fractures or pathology, 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 guidelines to minimize radiation exposure and ensure appropriate diagnostics.

Can children and babies receive chiropractic care?

Yes, chiropractic care is safe and can be highly beneficial for children of all ages, from infants to teenagers. Techniques are always modified to be gentle and appropriate for each child's age, size, and developmental stage. Common reasons parents seek chiropractic care for their children include concerns related to posture, after minor falls or sports-related tumbles, support during growth spurts, or issues like colic and feeding difficulties in infants, where gentle musculoskeletal approaches may provide relief.

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

In chiropractic, a 'vertebral subluxation' or 'joint restriction' (also called a joint dysfunction) refers to a spinal or extremity joint that has lost its normal position or range of motion. This can irritate surrounding nerves, muscles, and tissues, potentially causing pain, inflammation, reduced mobility, or other symptoms. The goal of a chiropractic adjustment is to correct these restrictions and restore proper joint function.

Is chiropractic care covered by Medical Services Plan (MSP) in BC?

In British Columbia, MSP provides partial coverage for chiropractic services through a limited number of covered visits each year for eligible individuals, such as those on Premium Assistance or with low income. Most patients will have a co-payment. It is important to verify your specific eligibility and coverage with MSP and to check your private insurance plan as coverage varies. For other provinces: in Alberta, MSP provides limited benefits; in Ontario, OHIP generally does not cover chiropractic care; in Quebec, RAMQ does not cover chiropractic services in private clinics. Always review your insurance policies for detailed coverage information.

What is that 'cracking' or 'popping' sound during an adjustment?

The sound is called joint cavitation, a common and harmless phenomenon. When a joint is adjusted, pressure decreases inside the joint, causing dissolved gases in the joint fluid to form a bubble that quickly collapses, producing the characteristic 'pop'. Many effective adjustments are performed without any sound at all.

Is chiropractic treatment, especially an adjustment, painful?

Most patients find chiropractic adjustments to be comfortable and well-tolerated. While a brief moment of pressure or a gentle push may be felt, discomfort is rare. If muscles are tight or joints inflamed, there might be some temporary soreness afterward, which your Chiropractor will discuss and tailor to your needs to minimize discomfort.

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

Chiropractors are primary contact healthcare professionals in all provinces, including BC, meaning you can book an appointment directly without a referral. However, some private or extended health insurance plans may require a doctor's referral for reimbursement purposes. It is advisable to check your individual insurance policy for specific requirements.

Origin Integrated Health
1261 Noel Ave Unit 2
Comox, BC V9M 4A3

Phone: (604) 385-2020

Dr. Garrett Wiltse is regulated by the Health Professions Act in BC and is a member of the College of Chiropractors of British Columbia (CCBC).

Verify registration with the College of Chiropractors of British Columbia (CCBC): https://find.bcchiro.com/code/find.php?doctor=11167

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