Dr. Kristin F. Varik

Dr. Kristin F. Varik 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): Comprehensive rehabilitation programs for individuals injured in MVAs, focusing on pain relief, restoring mobility, and addressing all accident-related physical complaints.
• Postpartum Musculoskeletal Issues: Addressing physical challenges after childbirth, such as persistent back or pelvic pain, core weakness (including diastasis recti co-management), postural strain from childcare, and discomfort from C-section scar tissue.

General Musculoskeletal & Systemic Conditions

• Myofascial Pain Syndrome / Trigger Points: Identifying and treating muscular trigger points to relieve pain, reduce muscle tension, and improve range of motion.
• 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.

Head, Neck & Jaw Conditions

• Tinnitus (Cervicogenic/Somatosensory): Investigating and addressing potential musculoskeletal contributions from the neck or jaw that may be linked to certain types of tinnitus.
• Whiplash Associated Disorders (WAD): Rehabilitation programs for individuals suffering from WAD, aiming to facilitate recovery and prevent long-term complications.
• 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.

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

• Heat & Cryotherapy (Ice) Application: Utilizing heat or ice to complement adjustments and soft tissue work for optimal recovery.
• Shockwave Therapy (ESWT): ESWT for stubborn soft tissue problems that haven't responded to other treatments.
• Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression Therapy: Gentle spinal traction to create negative pressure within discs, promoting healing.
• Interferential Current (IFC) / TENS Therapy: Using targeted electrical stimulation to manage acute or chronic pain.
• Low-Level Laser Therapy (Cold Laser): Cold laser treatment to aid in the recovery of various musculoskeletal conditions.
• Therapeutic Ultrasound: Use of high-frequency sound waves to generate deep heat within tissues, increase blood flow, reduce pain and inflammation, and promote tissue healing.

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

• Getting back to dancing the night away at weddings and social events without a care after struggling with whiplash from a car accident is a frequent aspiration for patients at Dr. Kristin's clinic. A dedicated care plan often leads to feeling stronger, more stable, and more resilient in their body and a return to a more active life.
• Dr. Kristin frequently helps people find solutions for the limitations imposed by problems with a disc in my back/neck. The common goal is walking with ease, free from sharp radiating leg pain, enabling a confident return to valued life activities, for instance, long hikes in the mountains on weekends, with greater comfort and ease.
• Overcoming trouble sleeping soundly due to discomfort or pain to achieve a more positive outlook on their physical capabilities and future health and resume reading a book for hours comfortably is a common success story at Dr. Kristin's practice. Personalized care makes a real difference.
• Many individuals visit Dr. Kristin because they are tired of dealing with feeling unsteady on my feet, like i might fall. Through a personalized chiropractic care plan, they often find they can achieve a noticeable boost in overall energy levels and vitality and get back to enjoying important activities like working productively and comfortably at your standing desk all day.

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

Dr. Varik's practice at Varik animal Chiropractic is situated in a welcoming clinic located in the heart of the central Stouffville neighborhood of Stouffville. The clinic is conveniently positioned near essential community services and pharmacies, making it easy for patients to access care as part of their daily routines. With multiple public transit options serving the area, patients can arrive comfortably without the need for driving. Our clinic is wheelchair accessible. Free patient parking is typically available on-site or nearby.

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

In Ontario, OHIP generally does not cover chiropractic services provided in private clinics for most of the population. There may be limited exceptions, such as care delivered within certain government programs or if provided through a Community Health Centre or Family Health Team with integrated chiropractic services, but these are rare. Patients are advised to check with their private insurance plans for coverage details and reimbursement options.

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

No, 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 require a doctor's referral for reimbursement purposes. Patients should verify the requirements of their individual insurance policies.

Is it safe to see a chiropractor if I’m pregnant?

Chiropractic care during pregnancy is generally considered safe and can be very effective for managing common musculoskeletal complaints such as back pain, pelvic girdle pain, and sciatica. Chiropractors are trained to work with pregnant women and often use modified adjustment techniques and specialized tables or pillows to ensure comfort and safety for both mother and baby. Some chiropractors, like Dr. Varik, are also certified in the Webster Technique, a specific chiropractic analysis and adjustment for pregnant women.

What kind of clothing should I wear to my chiropractic appointment?

It’s best to wear comfortable, non-restrictive clothing that allows for ease of movement. Athletic wear, leggings, comfortable pants, and a t-shirt are ideal. This enables your Chiropractor to assess your posture and movement easily, and perform necessary examinations or treatments. You may be asked to change into a gown for certain parts of the examination if needed.

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

The 'cracking' or 'popping' sound, known as cavitation, occurs when gas (mainly nitrogen, oxygen, and carbon dioxide) is released from the joint's synovial fluid during quick movements or stretches. This is similar to the sound when cracking knuckles. The sound is not an indicator of treatment effectiveness; the primary goal is restoring joint motion and relieving nerve pressure.

What kind of education and training do chiropractors in Canada receive?

Chiropractors in Canada complete a rigorous post-secondary education, earning a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) degree. This involves a minimum of three years of undergraduate studies followed by four years of intensive training at an accredited chiropractic college. Their education covers basic sciences such as anatomy, physiology, pathology, neurology, and biomechanics, as well as clinical sciences including diagnostic imaging, orthopedics, and differential diagnosis. Extensive hands-on clinical internship experience prepares graduates to provide safe, effective care. To practice legally, they must pass national and provincial licensing examinations.

Can children and babies receive chiropractic care?

Yes, chiropractic care is safe and can be 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. Parents often seek care for concerns like posture issues, recovery from minor falls or sports injuries, supporting spinal health during growth spurts, or for issues such as colic or feeding difficulties in infants, where gentle musculoskeletal approaches may be helpful.

Varik animal Chiropractic
76 Stuart street
Stouffville, ON L4A 4S3

Phone: (416) 970-6212

Dr. Kristin F. Varik 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/5260/10/595d5ea965a9f0df10fcfa49

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