Chiropractic Care  in SW Calgary

Chiropractic care helps restore movement, reduce pain, and support the way your spine, joints, muscles, and nervous system work together. At Oak Bay Family Chiropractic Centre in SW Calgary, we provide personalized chiropractic care for back pain, neck pain, headaches, joint stiffness, mobility concerns, injury recovery, and ongoing wellness support.



Your care starts with a clear assessment so we can understand what is contributing to your symptoms, explain your options, and recommend a plan that fits your body, goals, and comfort level.

Understanding Chiropractic Care

Chiropractic care is a hands-on approach that emphasizes the connection between your spine, joints, muscles, and nervous system. When joints are misaligned or not functioning properly, it can lead to pain, stiffness, headaches, and limited mobility. At Oak Bay Family Chiropractic Centre, we offer personalized treatments, including spinal and extremity adjustments, posture assessments, and tailored home exercises. Our gentle techniques are designed to meet your individual needs, helping you achieve optimal health and well-being.

Your Path to Wellness

Our Approach

Comprehensive Assessment

We evaluate spinal alignment, posture, and movement patterns to understand the root causes of your discomfort.

Personalized Care Plans

Based on our findings, we create tailored care plans that may include adjustments, exercises, and ergonomic advice.

Holistic Approach

Our focus extends beyond pain relief; we aim to enhance your overall health and prevent future issues.

Expert Guidance

When necessary, we provide referrals to other healthcare professionals to ensure you receive the best care possible.

Chiropractic Techniques We May Use

No two patients need the exact same chiropractic approach. Depending on your assessment, comfort level, symptoms, mobility, and health goals, your chiropractor may recommend one or more hands-on, instrument-assisted, rehabilitative, or supportive techniques.

Laser Therapy

A non-invasive therapy that uses focused light energy to support tissue healing, reduce inflammation, and help manage pain.

Functional Neurology

An approach that examines how the nervous system functions and may use specific exercises or therapies to support balance, coordination,  and movement.

Interactive Metronome

A timing-based therapy that may be used to support focus, coordination, rhythm, motor planning, and brain-body communication.

Sports Chiropractic

A focus on movement, performance, injury recovery, mobility, and helping active patients return to the activities they enjoy.

Diversified Technique

A hands-on adjustment method used to improve joint motion, spinal function, and overall mobility.



Extremity Adjusting

Care focused on joints outside the spine, including the shoulders, elbows, wrists, hips, knees, ankles, and feet.



Activator Method

A gentle, instrument-assisted technique that uses a small handheld device instead of a manual adjustment.

Thompson Technique

A drop-table technique that allows targeted adjustments with less twisting or force.



Custom Orthotics

Prescription orthotics may help support foot mechanics, posture, and lower-body alignment.

Benefits of Chiropractic Care

Chiropractic adjustments may help reduce stiffness, improve joint movement, and relieve pressure or irritation that contributes to pain.

Reduced Back, Neck, and Joint Pain

Support for Headaches and Posture Concerns

For some patients, neck tension, posture, and spinal mobility can contribute to recurring headaches or upper back discomfort.

Better Mobility and Range of Motion

When your spine and joints move better, daily activities like sitting, walking, bending, lifting, and exercising can feel easier.

Personalized Long-Term Support

Once acute pain improves, some patients choose ongoing care to help maintain movement, manage recurring issues, and support active living.

Patient Success Stories

Five black stars arranged in a row.

I Strongly Endorse This Practice!


Thank you so much Dr. Brad Pritchard at Oak Bay Chiropractic Centre for the difference he made to my life. I came to his office suffering with severe foot neuropathy. His thoughtful and knowledgeable assessment and subsequent treatment made an immense difference in my suffering and my functionality. Dr. Pritchard is professional, compassionate, and ethical, believing in helping people rather than soliciting clients. I will continue to work with him and consult him around many other concerns and I am so grateful to him and to the kindness of Cathy and Nancy in the office. I strongly endorse this practice!

Dr. Nancy J Moules

RN, PhD. Professor and Associate Dean, Research, Faculty of Nursing, University of Calgary
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Simply Awesome



Dr Brad is awesome. He's very knowledgeable and really cares for his clients. My husband, Mom, and I have been seeing him for 5+ years and he has helped all of us greatly. I would recommend OAKBAY Family Chiropractic to anyone I know or even meet on the street. Already a lot of my friends have been seeing dr Brad for a long time and all of them are so happy with his services. The front desk is also amazing, very friendly and welcoming. When I need help they try to fit me in right away and they don't push, so you come when you need to and I like that.

Salwa S.

Five black stars in a row.

Great Experience All Around!



I would score everything higher as I was very impressed from the moment I walked in the door. Dr Pritchard was very informative and helpful. Above all I loved the fact that he took time to listen. The receptionists were very friendly and efficient. I have been back at least 3 times since the 1st visit and this high standard of treatment and care was evident in each visit. Thankful to have such a caring place to go to. Two thumbs up!

Muriel M.

Conditions Chiropractic Care May Help With

Our chiropractic care services specialize in managing a wide range of conditions, including (but not limited to):

Knee joint with a pain target, indicating pain and injury.

Arthritis

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Back Pain

Hand with a lightning bolt, indicating a wrist injury or pain.

Carpal Tunnel

Muscle with a lightning bolt, indicating potential for injury or shock.

Fibromyalgia

Person with lines radiating from their head, indicating stress.

Headaches

A person's head with lines indicating sound emanating from an ear.

Neck Pain

Outline of a person's torso with a target on the abdomen, indicating pain.

Sciatica

Shoulder pain icon, showing a shoulder with a broken line and a triangle symbol.

Shoulder Pain

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Whiplash

What to Expect During Your Visit

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Comprehensive Evaluation

We begin with a detailed assessment of your spinal alignment and movement patterns

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Personalized Treatment Plan

Your chiropractor will explain recommended spinal adjustments, strengthening exercises, and lifestyle tips.

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Gentle Adjustment Sessions

Most patients lie face down on a padded table while controlled force is applied to targeted joints, often accompanied by a “pop” sound. For some patients, where an even more gentle approach is preferred or needed, an adjusting instrument and “drop” pieces in the table are used to perform adjustments.

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Post-Adjustment Care

Mild soreness or stiffness may occur, typically resolving within 24 hours; where appropriate, provide stretching routines and home recommendations to minimize possible discomfort.

Meet Dr Brad Pritchard

Inspired by his mom’s health turnaround through Chiropractic, Dr. Brad left a drafting career to earn his Doctor of Chiropractic graduating in 1994 with Clinical Excellence from Palmer College West. After moving back to Canada and passing his board exams he has been serving Calgary patients since 1996. Since that time he has developed an interest in neurological issues and to date, he has over 800 hours of specialized functional neurology training.

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Chiropractic Care FAQs

  • Do I need a referral to see a chiropractor in Calgary?

    No, you typically do not need a referral to book chiropractic care. You can contact Oak Bay Family Chiropractic Centre directly to request an appointment.

  • What makes chiropractic care different from massage therapy or physiotherapy?

    Chiropractic care focuses heavily on joint movement, spinal function, nervous system function, and hands-on adjustments. Massage therapy focuses more on soft tissue, while physiotherapy often emphasizes rehabilitation exercises. Depending on your needs, these approaches may also work together.

  • What is chiropractic care?

    Chiropractic care is a non-invasive healthcare approach that focuses on diagnosing and treating disorders of the neuromusculoskeletal system, especially spine-related issues, through manual adjustments to improve joint alignment, reduce pain, and enhance overall function.

  • Is chiropractic care safe?

    When performed by a licensed chiropractor, non-invasive spinal adjustments are very safe. While studies show that some patients (about 30%) may experience some mild soreness or stiffness after an adjustment most patients feel relief. As with any healthcare treatment there are potential risks, although serious complications are very rare. As you should with any healthcare provider, concerns should be discussed.

  • How often should I receive chiropractic care?

    Frequency varies by individual need: minor issues may resolve after a single session, whereas acute pain often benefits from 2–3 visits per week for several weeks; once symptoms improve, many patients transition to maintenance visits as needed to sustain long-term benefits.

  • What should I expect during my first chiropractic visit?

    Your first visit typically includes a discussion of your health history, a physical assessment of posture and spinal alignment, and possibly neurologic or orthopedic tests. From this, your chiropractor will create a personalized care plan tailored to your needs. This helps set clear expectations for treatment goals and timelines.

  • Will my insurance cover chiropractic care?

    Coverage varies by plan. Many extended health insurance plans include chiropractic services, but you’ll need to check your individual benefits. Our office can help provide receipts or billing information for your insurer upon request.

  • Is chiropractic care appropriate for children or seniors?

    Yes, chiropractic adjustments can be safely adapted for patients of all ages, including infants, children, and older adults. Techniques may be gentler for young or elderly patients, but the benefits, such as improved mobility and reduced pain, still apply.

  • Can chiropractic care help with issues besides back and neck pain?

    Absolutely. Chiropractic care can support relief for headaches, sciatica, joint pain (shoulder, knee, wrist), postural concerns, and even help improve overall mobility. Your chiropractor will assess all contributing factors to your discomfort.

  • How long do chiropractic appointments typically last?

    Most appointments range from 15–30 minutes, depending on whether it’s a new patient assessment or a follow-up adjustment. Your practitioner will let you know how long to expect when you book.