Dr. Joseph John Albert

Dr. Joseph John Albert provides skilled chiropractic care for a variety of conditions, including but not limited to:

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.
• Tennis Elbow / Golfer's Elbow (Epicondylitis): Addressing the underlying causes of elbow tendon pain through manual therapy, exercise, and activity modification advice.

Specific Populations & Injury Types

• Sports Injuries (Acute & Overuse): Helping you recover from common sports injuries like runner's knee, shoulder strains, or ankle sprains, and optimizing your biomechanics for better performance.
• 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.

Back & Spine Conditions

• Spondylolisthesis (Lower Grades): Supportive care to address symptoms related to vertebral slippage, helping to maintain an active lifestyle.
• Rib Pain / Intercostal Neuralgia / Costochondritis: Addressing pain around the rib cage, often sharp or related to breathing/movement, potentially due to rib joint dysfunction, intercostal muscle/nerve irritation, or cartilage inflammation (costochondritis).
• Mid-Back Pain (Thoracic Spine Pain / Interscapular Pain): Relief for pain located in the mid-back or between the shoulder blades, often linked to prolonged sitting, poor posture, or restricted rib movement.

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

• Stretching & Flexibility Programs: Improving your body's flexibility through targeted stretches for tight muscle groups.
• 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.
• Personalized Therapeutic Exercise Prescription: Tailored rehabilitative exercises to address specific weaknesses, imbalances, or mobility restrictions.
• Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization (DNS) Exercises: A rehabilitative approach based on developmental movement patterns to restore and stabilize locomotor function, often used for complex cases (practitioner certification dependent).
• Core Stability & Strengthening Programs: Developing core strength and endurance to protect your spine during daily activities.
• PNF Stretching (Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation): Partner-assisted or self-administered PNF techniques to enhance muscle length and joint mobility.

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

• Experience the significant benefit of seeing their child appear more comfortable, settled, and mobile if you're dealing with slouching causing that upper back pain. Dr. Joseph helps patients regain their ability to fully participate in activities like cycling with your local club through focused and gentle chiropractic treatments.
• Many individuals visit Dr. Joseph because they are tired of dealing with feeling like my neck muscles are rocks. Through a personalized chiropractic care plan, they often find they can achieve improved core stability, leading to better support for their spine and reduced strain and get back to enjoying important activities like going on long-distance cycling adventures with your local cycling club.
• Overcoming overall body soreness that doesn't go away to achieve walking with ease, free from sharp radiating leg pain and resume crafting and sewing for extended periods is a common success story at Dr. Joseph's practice. Personalized care makes a real difference.
• If tmj pain and tenderness is impacting your daily life and preventing you from enjoying confidently going up and down multiple flights of stairs effortlessly, know that effective chiropractic care can help. Dr. Joseph focuses on achieving feeling less pain sensitivity in previously tender areas so you can engage in the things you love again.

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

Dr. Albert's practice at Unified Wellness is situated in the vibrant Downtown, Central neighborhood of Sault Ste. Marie. The clinic is conveniently located near Station Mall, making it easily accessible for local residents. Patients can reach the clinic via Sault Ste. Marie Transit, with stops nearby ensuring a straightforward journey. Our clinic is wheelchair accessible. Free patient parking is typically available on-site or nearby.

How can I tell if chiropractic care is right for me?

If you're experiencing pain, stiffness, or dysfunction related to your spine, muscles, joints, or nerves—such as back pain, neck pain, headaches, or extremity joint problems—chiropractic care may be very beneficial. Dr. Albert recommends scheduling an initial consultation where he can perform a thorough assessment, discuss your health goals, and determine if chiropractic treatment is suitable or if another approach might be more appropriate for your specific condition.

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 at least 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, as well as clinical sciences like diagnostic imaging, orthopedics, and differential diagnosis. Chiropractic-specific subjects such as adjusting techniques and rehabilitation are also emphasized, with extensive hands-on clinical internship experience. Graduates must pass demanding national and provincial examinations to become licensed practitioners.

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

In Ontario, OHIP generally does NOT cover chiropractic services in private clinics for most of the population. There are very limited exceptions, such as care provided within a Community Health Centre or Family Health Team that has integrated chiropractic services, but this is rare. Most patients are advised to check their private insurance coverage for chiropractic benefits.

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

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

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

Chiropractors are primary contact healthcare professionals in Ontario, meaning patients can book an appointment directly without a referral. However, some private/extended health insurance plans may require a doctor's referral for reimbursement, so it's advisable to check your specific insurance policy.

What is Unified Wellness's appointment cancellation policy?

We understand that life happens! However, to ensure we can accommodate all our patients, we kindly request at least 24 hours' notice for any appointment cancellations or rescheduling. Appointments missed or cancelled with less than 24 hours' notice may be subject to a cancellation fee. Please contact us as soon as possible if you need to make changes.

What is chiropractic care and how can it help me?

Chiropractic is a healthcare profession focused on diagnosing, treating, and preventing disorders of the neuromusculoskeletal system, primarily the spine, and their effects on overall health. Chiropractors use hands-on spinal manipulation (adjustments) and other manual therapies, along with exercise and lifestyle counseling, to relieve pain, restore function, and support your body's natural healing processes. It can be especially helpful for issues like back pain, neck pain, headaches, and joint problems in your arms or legs.

Unified Wellness
644 Queen St. E.
Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6A 2A4

Phone: (705) 541-3752

Dr. Joseph John Albert 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/3390/10/595d5ea965a9f0df10fcf454

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