Chiropractors up and running.
Cape Breton businesses take added measures in return to work during pandemic
SYDNEY – The COVID-19 pandemic has brought change to almost every industry with new guidelines and rules put in place to keep people safe – the chiropractic profession is no different.
Dr. Jennifer Maher, who owns Island Chiropractic and Family Wellness with her husband Dr. Shaun Maher, returned to work on June 5 after her Sydney business was closed for 80 days.
“When it comes to a lot of patients, they're just happy that they can come back for their appointments,” said Maher. “There were a lot of people who struggled with some of their chronic complaints and were eager to get treatment.”
When the business reopened, patients were welcomed by new Plexiglas shields at the front desk, while employees wore masks while providing treatment, which are two of the various guidelines given by the Nova Scotia College of Chiropractic.
Other guidelines include six-foot physical distance and sanitation protocols, like many other businesses in the province, to help limit the spread of the virus.
“In terms of the office procedures, not much has really changed because we've always had high sanitation protocol and we've followed that well before the outbreak,” said Maher.
“We have to break the sixfoot barrier in order to provide treatment, so wearing a mask is something new for us and we're adjusting to it.”
The Maher family made the decision to close their business prior to the mandated closure by the province in mid-March.
“We realized that we served a compromised population and the health and wellbeing of our patients has always been our priority,” said Maher. “We opened with our added measure and it's been really busy since.”
Cora-Lee Peddle, chair of the board for the Nova Scotia College of Chiropractic, said the mandatory closures were difficult for many chiropractors as most in the province are small businesses.
“I think any chiropractor you talk to is happy to be back and treating patients,” she said. “We were allowed to go back on June 5, which was a Friday, and I would say a good portion of the chiropractors were open that day, they didn't want to wait until Monday.”
As part of the disinfection protocol, chiropractors must disinfect their tables and hightouched surfaces between each patient. Patients will also be asked to wash their hands before and after the treatment.
Patients will also be screened prior to their treatment – once when they book an appointment and again when they arrive for treatment.
Currently, patients are not mandated to wear masks during treatment. Wearing a mask is recommended, but not required.
“If they're lying face down it might be a little bit uncomfortable or they might feel like they're a little bit restricted on their face,” said Maher. “We leave it up to them with the encouragement of wearing one.”
At Maher's location, she's implemented longer appointment times to adjust to the new guidelines.
“I feel that everything has kind of slowed down a little bit and it lets us have the opportunity to get to know people a little bit better,” said Maher. “I don't always feel rushed to kind of stay on time sort of speak, so I'm liking the new adjustments we've made.”
When the business opened, Maher said there was a twoweek waiting list with many regular patients immediately booking appointments. Typically, an appointment could be made with 24-hour notice, but now there's a three or four day wait.
“We're seeing about 50 per cent volume in the difference of what we've had before,” said Maher. “We've only ever treated one person at a time, some other clinics might have a number of rooms that they have people in and the therapist will bounce room to room, but we've always been one person at a time.”
The Nova Scotia College of Chiropractic has about 170 members. In Cape Breton, there are 14 chiropractors listed on the college of chiropractic website, not including services provided at the Victoria County Memorial Hospital in Baddeck.
During her time away from the office, Maher taught online fitness classes to some of her exercise class regulars. One pair of seniors learned how to install an online app to their device and exercised online for 13 consecutive weeks with Maher.
“It's really nice to be back in the office with our co-workers again,” said Maher. “We're like a little family here, so we're catching up with our work family and we're definitely excited to see all of our patients back.”