Answers before you book.

Gentle chiropractic at Shift replaces high-velocity spinal manipulation with spinal decompression, assisted stretching, and therapeutic roller massage — delivering the same clinical outcomes (restored mobility, pain relief, nerve decompression) without any cracking, popping, or bracing. No force, no anxiety, same results.

• Spinal decompression: motorized traction that creates negative pressure inside the disc, drawing compressed material back toward the centre and relieving nerve irritation
• Roller massage: motorized rollers apply deep, consistent pressure along the full posterior chain — glutes to neck — in a single pass
• Assisted stretching: targeted joint mobilization and soft-tissue release without high-velocity thrust
• No cracking sound, no sudden movements, no need to brace yourself

Source: Canadian Chiropractic Association — What Is Chiropractic?

Yes — and for athletes and desk workers with repetitive-strain or disc-related patterns, it is often more effective. Spinal decompression and roller massage address the muscles, discs, and nerves surrounding the joint, not just the joint itself, resolving the root cause rather than providing short-term relief.

• Decompression directly treats disc herniation, bulge, and sciatica — conditions where spinal manipulation is contraindicated or less effective
• Roller massage releases the chronic fascial tension that re-compresses the spine between sessions
• Both techniques can be applied on the same day as training — no recovery downtime
• Research supports non-thrust interventions as equally or more effective for subacute and chronic low back pain

Dr. Lee will always assess your specific presentation and recommend the approach that best fits your condition, training demands, and goals.

Source: NCBI — Non-thrust manipulation for low back pain: systematic review

Spinal decompression is a motorized traction therapy that creates negative intradiscal pressure — drawing compressed disc material back toward the centre and allowing fresh fluid and nutrients into the disc. It is especially effective for disc herniations, sciatica, and chronic lower back pain. Most patients describe it as a pleasant, relaxing stretch.

• How it works: a harness around your pelvis applies slow, cyclical traction; the disc decompresses and rehydrates over 15–25 minutes
• Best conditions: lumbar disc herniation, L4-L5 or L5-S1 bulge, sciatica, cervical disc compression, chronic low back pain
• What it feels like: gentle, rhythmic pulling — deeply relaxing; many patients fall asleep
• Session length: 15–25 minutes; no recovery time; most patients train the same day
• Safety: no high-velocity force; appropriate even when manipulation is contraindicated

Source: NCBI — Nonsurgical spinal decompression therapy for chronic low back pain

You lie fully clothed on a motorized table, a harness is fitted around your pelvis, and the table applies slow rhythmic traction to your lumbar or cervical spine for 15 to 25 minutes. No cracking, no sudden movement, nothing to brace for. Most patients find it deeply relaxing and many feel immediate relief when they stand up.

1. Arrival & setup (5 min): Dr. Lee reviews your symptoms and positions you on the decompression table; a padded pelvic harness is fitted
2. Traction phase (15–25 min): the table applies cyclical traction — pulling gently, releasing, pulling again — at a force calibrated to your body weight and condition
3. Release & mobilization (5 min): Dr. Lee adds targeted soft-tissue work or roller massage to lock in the release
4. Post-session: you stand up, move around, and typically head straight back to your day — no restrictions

Source: NCBI — Nonsurgical spinal decompression therapy: clinical outcomes

Roller massage uses motorized roller tables to apply consistent, calibrated pressure along the full length of your muscles and fascia in a single continuous pass — covering the entire posterior chain from calves to neck. Unlike hands-on massage, pressure never wavers, therapist fatigue is not a factor, and the depth of tissue contact is precisely controlled throughout the session.

• Coverage: full posterior chain — calves, hamstrings, glutes, thoracolumbar fascia, mid-back, and cervical extensors — in one pass
• Depth: reaches fascial adhesions and muscle bellies that hands-on work may not sustain over a full session
• Consistency: mechanical pressure is perfectly even — no fatigue, no variation, no skipped areas
• Recovery benefit: flushes metabolic waste from muscles and restores tissue length after high-mileage training weeks

Source: NCBI — Soft-tissue therapy and fascia release for musculoskeletal pain

No. Because decompression and roller massage are non-force techniques, there is no post-treatment soreness to limit your training. Most patients run or ride the same day as their appointment. Tell Dr. Lee your race schedule when you book and he will structure sessions to complement your training blocks, not compete with them.

• Decompression sessions: 15–25 minutes total; you leave feeling looser, not sore
• Roller massage: feels like a deep recovery flush; most athletes feel better immediately after
• Optimal timing: schedule sessions on easier training days or after your workout for maximum benefit
• Race week: lighter, maintenance sessions that settle the spine without creating new tissue disruption

Dr. Lee is an active ultramarathoner and cyclist — he has built his entire practice model around athletes who cannot afford to lose training days.

Yes. Booking 6 to 12 weeks before your target event gives Dr. Lee enough time to assess movement imbalances, decompress accumulated spinal load from your training block, and peak your body for race day. As a marathon and ultra-marathon runner himself, he understands training periodization and can structure care around your schedule.

• 6–12 weeks out: assessment + correction phase — identify and address compensation patterns before they become injuries
• 3–6 weeks out: maintenance phase — keep the spine decompressed during peak mileage weeks
• Race week: a light pre-race session to settle the spine, release posterior chain tension, and prime your body for race day
• Post-race: a decompression session within 72 hours dramatically shortens recovery from the compressive forces of a long race

Tell Dr. Lee your race date at your first appointment. He will map sessions to your training plan, not interrupt it.

Yes. IT band syndrome, anterior knee pain, thoracic stiffness, and cervical compression from extended time in the drops are all conditions Dr. Lee treats regularly. As a competitive cyclist himself, he assesses your position and bike-fit mechanics as part of the clinical picture — not just your symptoms in isolation.

• IT band syndrome: often originates from hip abductor weakness and pelvic instability, not just TFL tightness — addressed through targeted decompression and roller release of the lateral chain
• Anterior knee pain (patellofemoral): frequently linked to saddle height, cleat position, and lumbar-pelvis coordination — Dr. Lee examines all three
• Neck & shoulder pain in the drops: sustained cervical extension compresses C4–C6; decompression and posterior cervical roller work relieves this pattern effectively
• Thoracic stiffness: prolonged aero and road positions lock up the mid-back — targeted mobilization and decompression restore rotation and extension
• Saddle fit correlation: Dr. Lee reviews saddle height, fore-aft position, and cleat float at your assessment to identify positional drivers

No referral is needed. Chiropractors in BC are primary contact practitioners — you can book directly without seeing a GP or specialist first. Book online in under two minutes. Bring any imaging you have (X-rays, MRI reports) but it is not required to begin care.

• Book directly at shiftphysicalmedicine.janeapp.com — no referral form required
• If you have existing imaging (MRI, X-ray reports), bring it — Dr. Lee will review it as part of your assessment
• If you have been referred by a GP or specialist, that referral is welcome but not required
• New patients are seen for a full assessment and treatment in the first visit — no separate "consultation only" appointment

Your first visit includes a thorough intake, a movement and postural assessment, and hands-on treatment — all in one appointment. You leave knowing exactly what is driving your pain, with a clear care plan and an honest timeline. No pressure to commit to packages upfront, no vague "we'll see how it goes."

1. Health history intake (10 min): Dr. Lee reviews your symptoms, training history, imaging, and goals
2. Movement & postural assessment (10 min): range of motion, orthopedic testing, neurological screening, and postural analysis
3. Hands-on treatment (20–25 min): your first decompression or roller massage session begins in this same appointment
4. Care plan discussion (5 min): Dr. Lee explains what he found, what he recommends, how many sessions and at what frequency, and what you can expect

You will not leave with a vague "come back next week." You will leave with a clear picture and a realistic plan.

Most patients notice meaningful improvement within 3 to 6 sessions. At your first visit, Dr. Lee will give you a specific, honest recommendation based on your assessment findings — not a vague range designed to keep you coming back indefinitely. No pressure to commit to packages before you see results.

• Acute flare-up (recent onset): typically 3–4 sessions over 2–3 weeks
• Subacute pain (1–3 months): typically 4–6 sessions over 4–6 weeks
• Chronic conditions (disc herniation, sciatica, postural correction): 8–12 sessions over 8–12 weeks, with reassessment at session 4
• Maintenance / performance care: many athletes continue monthly or quarterly sessions to manage training load and prevent recurrence

You will receive an honest timeline at session one, with clear markers for when to reassess.

Most BC extended health plans include chiropractic coverage, typically $300 to $1,000 per year. Shift Clinic does not direct-bill, but a detailed receipt is emailed after every visit and can be submitted through your insurer's app in under two minutes. Most reimbursements arrive within 2–5 business days.

Check your plan's summary of benefits or contact your plan administrator to confirm your annual chiropractic limit before booking.

Many extended health plans cover $200 to $500 per pair of custom orthotics when prescribed by a licensed chiropractor. We don't direct-bill, but we handle all the paperwork — Dr. Lee provides the biomechanical assessment report, gait analysis, and written prescription your insurer needs, all emailed to you so you have everything in one place to submit your claim.

• The assessment, prescription, and clinical report are all included — no extra fees, no chasing paperwork
• You receive a detailed clinical report and itemized receipt to submit together to your insurer
• Many plans require the prescription to come from a chiropractor, physiotherapist, or podiatrist — Dr. Lee's prescription qualifies
• Most plans cover one pair every 1–2 years; verify your renewal window with your plan administrator

Not sure whether your plan covers orthotics? Contact your plan administrator or HR department before booking the assessment.

Shift Clinic fees are competitive with Downtown Vancouver chiropractic rates. Pricing is fully transparent — no hidden charges, no mandatory package commitments, no upselling. You pay per visit and decide whether to continue based on the results you experience.

• Current fee schedule is listed when you book online
• No mandatory multi-session packages — pay per visit
• Detailed receipts emailed after every visit for insurance reimbursement
• Questions about fees? Send Dr. Lee a message before booking