Dr. Heather A. Degen is a dedicated Chiropractor. Practicing at Heather Degen Chiropractic Professional Corporation in Fergus, ON, she is committed to high-quality, patient-centered care aligning with College of Chiropractors of Ontario (CCO) standards. Dr. Degen specializes in providing comprehensive chiropractic assessment and treatment for a broad spectrum of neuromusculoskeletal conditions, with a focus on spinal health and overall well-being. She serves patients of all ages, from infants to seniors, ensuring personalized care tailored to each individual's unique health needs. Her approach emphasizes a holistic perspective, integrating evidence-based techniques to support optimal function, pain relief, and long-term health.
Dr. Heather A. Degen provides skilled chiropractic care for a variety of conditions, including but not limited to:
General Musculoskeletal & Systemic Conditions
- Muscle Strains & Ligament Sprains (Various Regions): Helping you recover from common injuries like a pulled hamstring, twisted ankle, or strained back muscle.
- Chronic Pain Syndromes (with Biomechanical Factors): A holistic approach to managing chronic pain by looking at the whole body's mechanics and nervous system function.
- 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.
- Fibromyalgia (Pain & Stiffness Management): As part of a multidisciplinary approach, chiropractic care can help manage the widespread musculoskeletal pain, stiffness, fatigue, and tender points associated with fibromyalgia.
Head, Neck & Jaw Conditions
- Neck Pain (Acute & Chronic): Addressing the underlying causes of your neck pain, helping to alleviate muscle tension, improve joint function, and prevent future recurrences.
- TMJ / Jaw Pain (Temporomandibular Disorders - TMD): Management of temporomandibular joint dysfunction through gentle manual therapies, exercises, and advice to reduce jaw pain and improve its function.
- 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.
Hip, Leg & Foot Conditions
- Knee Pain (Osteoarthritis, Patellofemoral Syndrome, Meniscal Issues - Conservative): Management of knee pain through chiropractic adjustments, soft tissue therapy, and exercises aimed at improving joint function, stability, and reducing symptoms from conditions like runner's knee or mild meniscal tears.
- Hip Pain (Osteoarthritis, Bursitis, Tendinopathy): Chiropractic care focusing on improving hip joint mechanics, strengthening supporting muscles, and alleviating pain from conditions like osteoarthritis or trochanteric bursitis.
- Piriformis Syndrome / Deep Gluteal Pain: Pain in the buttock region, which can sometimes radiate down the leg mimicking sciatica, often caused by spasm or tightness of the piriformis muscle irritating the nearby sciatic nerve.
- Plantar Fasciitis / Heel & Foot Pain: Sharp pain in the heel or bottom of the foot, especially with the first steps in the morning or after periods of rest, due to inflammation or degeneration of the plantar fascia.
This list offers examples of conditions commonly addressed. If your specific concern isn't listed, please contact the clinic. Dr. Degen can assess your needs.
- Custom Foot Orthotic Assessment & Prescription: Biomechanical assessment of your feet and gait, followed by casting or scanning for custom-made foot orthotics to address foot, ankle, knee, hip, or back pain related to foot mechanics.
- Kinesiology Taping / Athletic Taping: Taping for pain relief, joint stability, and enhanced proprioception during activity.
- 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.
- Nutritional & Lifestyle Counselling: Guidance on healthy lifestyle choices to complement your chiropractic care and optimize results.
- Concussion Management & Rehabilitation: Assessment, management, and rehabilitation protocols for concussion, focusing on musculoskeletal components, cervicogenic dizziness, and a safe return to activity (requires specialized training).
Note: This list highlights some key services offered by Dr. Degen. 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 Heather Degen Chiropractic Professional Corporation, chiropractic care is focused on helping individuals like you achieve significant improvements in health and daily activities. Dr. Degen frequently helps patients work towards goals such as:
- Dr. Heather frequently helps people find solutions for the limitations imposed by growing pains keeping my kid awake. The common goal is feeling empowered with the knowledge and tools to maintain their spinal health, enabling a confident return to valued life activities, for instance, participating fully in your weekly adult soccer league game, with greater comfort and ease.
- Dr. Heather understands how frustrating feeling like my lower back is locked up can be. By aiming for feeling more comfortable and supported throughout pregnancy, chiropractic care can empower you to return to activities like getting a full night's restful sleep with renewed confidence.
- Overcoming pain between my shoulder blades, like a stabbing feeling to achieve improved coordination for both simple and complex tasks and resume playing a full 18 holes of golf without lower back stiffness or hip pain is a common success story at Dr. Heather's practice. Personalized care makes a real difference.
- Getting back to motorcycle rides after struggling with difficulty bending over to pick things up is a frequent aspiration for patients at Dr. Heather's clinic. A dedicated care plan often leads to turning their head fully and comfortably again, making driving and daily tasks easier and a return to a more active life.
Your personalized chiropractic care plan, developed with Dr. Degen, will be designed to help you reach your specific functional and wellness objectives.
Heather Degen Chiropractic Professional Corporation is situated in the heart of Fergus, in a modern clinic located in the central Fergus neighborhood. The clinic is conveniently positioned near local community services and pharmacies, making it easy for patients to access comprehensive healthcare resources in one visit. The clinic is well-connected via local public transit routes, ensuring accessible transportation options for all patients. Our clinic is wheelchair accessible. Ample parking is generally accessible close to the clinic entrance.
- Do chiropractors only treat back pain?
- While chiropractors are very well known for effectively treating back pain, their expertise extends to a wide range of other neuromusculoskeletal conditions affecting the entire body. This includes issues with the neck, shoulders, hips, knees, feet, as well as headaches, and problems related to muscles, ligaments, tendons, and nerves throughout the extremities.
- What kind of clothing should I wear to my chiropractic appointment?
- Comfortable, loose-fitting clothes are ideal for a chiropractic visit. Think of what you might wear for light exercise. This ensures you can move freely during assessments and that your Chiropractor can access the areas requiring treatment without difficulty.
- 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. The program includes comprehensive training in basic sciences such as anatomy, physiology, pathology, neurology, and biomechanics, as well as clinical sciences like diagnostic imaging, orthopedics, and differential diagnosis. Chiropractic students also learn adjusting techniques, rehabilitation, and participate in extensive hands-on clinical internships. Graduates must pass demanding national and provincial examinations to become licensed practitioners.
- Is chiropractic care covered by Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) in ON?
- Generally, OHIP does not cover chiropractic services provided in private clinics for most residents. There may be limited exceptions through specific government programs or if care is delivered within a Community Health Centre or Family Health Team with integrated chiropractic services, but these are rare. Patients are advised to check their private insurance plans for coverage details.
- Do I need a doctor's referral to see a Chiropractor in ON?
- No, in Ontario, chiropractors are primary contact healthcare professionals. Patients can book an appointment directly without a referral. However, some private or extended health insurance plans may require a referral for reimbursement purposes, so it is advisable to check your individual policy.
Heather Degen Chiropractic Professional Corporation
400 St. David Street N.
Fergus, ON N1M 2K2
Phone: (519) 843-1850
Dr. Heather A. Degen 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/3260/10/595d5ea965a9f0df10fcf3e7
Always consult with your primary healthcare provider before starting any new treatment program.