My story

I was 20 when the pain began. First it started as an ache in my left knee and became a constant searing pain. Soon walking became nearly impossible and crutches became my daily companion. In those three years of pain I went to specialist after specialist. At one point the doctors thought I had cancer. Have you ever felt that no one can figure out how to help you and that our current system may not have all the answers?

How could a young healthy man go from being physically fit, running and playing hockey in college to becoming practically disabled in a few months? I was accepted and would start medical school in just 9 months, how was I going to get to class if could barely walk? What kind of medical doctor will I be? My head was full of concerns and my future looked bleak.

Hope came when I was referred to the top orthopedic surgeon for the Edmonton Oilers. He must have the answer to the pain I was experiencing in my knee; if he treated NHL players surely he could figure this out. His office looked like a palace. The staff and nurses were so accommodating, I was sure I would find some relief from the pain and answers to my suffering. This guy fixed everyone, plus he was practically famous, he’s the doctor who treated Wayne Gretzky for heavens sake.  As quick as the hope came the disappointment followed “Sorry, son” the doctor said, “I can’t help you. The biopsy on the bump on your leg is negative for cancer, the MRI is normal. There’s nothing wrong with your knee, and I don’t know why you’re in PAIN.” What? My mind raced! Medicine can fix anything was my belief at that time, that’s why I wanted to go to medical school to help people heal and get their lives back... What about my life I thought? 

Three years of suffering gone in less than a month and a half, no surgery, no drugs. Restoring my body back to what it was prior to my leg injury. Dr.Jones released me to maintenance care and when I left he told me something powerful that did not fully make sense to me until much later. He knew my plan was to become a medical doctor, and perhaps he had some divine intervention that compelled him to tell me this because it was exactly what would change the course of my life forever. 

Here is what he told me in a very matter of fact tone: “Nigel, no matter how many letters you get behind your name, remember the body heals itself, if you give it what it needs, your goal as a doctor of any type is to remove the barriers to healing, the rest happens magically by the body, doctors cannot heal people, your body heals you!  Please don’t forget that, and you will help many people find and restore their health.”

At that point it seemed to me that there was a large piece missing in healthcare. I then decided to dedicate my professional life to fill that missing piece. It was then that I decided to pursue my medical degree as a Doctor of Chiropractic. Having spent the last 27 plus years studying and helping people of all ages, it is my mission and my passion to focus on enhancing and restoring the body through natural means. In the words of my mentor: “Give the body what it needs and it will respond... no exceptions.”