Core Focus Health Group: Heal and Prevent

Collaboration in health care is defined as health care professionals assuming complementary roles and cooperatively working together, sharing responsibility for problem-solving, and making decisions to formulate and carry out plans for patient care.

I talk to Dr. Shannon Dales owner and chiropractor at Core Focus Health Group. With over 25 years of experience, Shannon believes that lifelong mobility and good health are intrinsically linked.  She helps her clients feel good and move well through chiropractic care, acupuncture, and exercise and leads by example being a National level competitive athlete and busy Mom of 2.

Shannon, welcome to my series on health professionals. Please tell my global audience a little about you?

I have always been a very physical person enjoying exercise and sports.

I was the kid joining every sports team at school.  With my heavy involvement in sport, I experienced my share of injuries.

As a child, I was exposed to the benefits of chiropractic care, as I received treatments for my sport-related injuries.  As I contemplated a career choice much later, it was evident that chiropractic science was a natural fit for me. I have been providing chiropractic care for almost 25 years.

Outside of the office, I am a proud mother of two teenagers.

Define what a chiropractor is and why should people visit you?

A chiropractor deals with the optimal functioning of the nerves, joints, and muscles of the body.  Traditionally, we have been referred to as “back doctors” as the majority of our clients receive chiropractic care with the onset of back or neck pain.

Chiropractic care provides hands-on therapy along with education and exercise to reduce pain and restore function.

Chiropractic care offers an alternative way to manage back pain without the use of opioids.

Talk to me about your practice and the different professions that practice here and the holistic approach to health care?

I am very fortunate to work in an office with many other talented therapists.

Core Focus Health Group provides chiropractic care, physiotherapy, massage therapy, naturopathy, acupuncture plus diagnostic testing services such as genetic and genome testing.

We provide individualized, best evidence care in a collaborative environment.

Clients like having a team to support their needs.

In the 21st century, most of us work and commute long hrs. What can we do to deal with all this sitting that is practically killing us?

We see many clients with the “downtown” back referring to back pain from sitting all day.

Many of us are familiar with the statement “Sitting is the new smoking”.  Our bodies are made for movement, not for sitting for prolonged periods of time.

I encourage all my clients to take regular breaks from sitting all day – get up and walk around!

Some of my clients have also integrated stand-up desks into their work environment. Standing is better than sitting but the movement is still the best.

Regular exercise including cardio, weights, and core strength will help keep the body healthy plus reduce disability and morbidity.

Talk to me about your passion for rowing and how important it is to have a passion and to pursue that?

During my first year providing chiropractic care, one of my clients invited me to paddle with her dragon boat team.  I had never been in a dragon boat but was curious about this sport.  After the first practice, I was hooked.

I loved being outside and enjoyed the physical effects of a good cardio workout, the social interaction, and the mental clarity after this exercise. I have enjoyed the travel benefits of dragon boat competitions both nationally and internationally.  In fact, I have been on the Canadian National Senior A Women’s dragon boat team for many years. I also met my husband through this sport!

What advice do you have for type A’s who want it all?

Balance is key to successfully achieving your goals and supporting your priorities.