Chiropractic care at Bloor and Spadina
Neck pain and headache care in the Annex
A stiff neck changes how you sit, sleep and drive, and for many people it comes with headaches that build through the day. Your symptoms are important, but they're not always the whole story. Before I recommend anything, I want to understand what's going on with your neck, how it's functioning, and whether those findings may help explain what you're experiencing.
What brings people through the door?
- Stiffness or difficulty turning your head, especially in the morning
- Tension around the neck, shoulders or base of the skull
- Headaches that build as the day goes on
- Neck discomfort after long hours at a desk or looking at a screen
How I assess what's going on
Every first visit starts with a conversation and a thorough examination. I look at your posture and spinal movement, perform appropriate orthopedic and neurological tests, and assess how your neck and spine are functioning. I also use computerized Insight scans to gather additional information about muscle activity, skin temperature patterns and heart rate variability.
For neck pain and headaches, I look at the findings together rather than focusing only on where it hurts. Your history, examination and scan results help me build a clearer picture of your situation and determine whether chiropractic care is appropriate.
X-rays or other imaging may also be taken or reviewed when clinically appropriate, based on your history, examination findings and individual circumstances.
What care can involve
At your second visit, I'll explain what I found, how the findings may relate to your concerns, and what I recommend, including the associated costs. If chiropractic care is appropriate and you decide to proceed, care generally begins then.
- Chiropractic adjustments tailored to your examination findings
- Spinal traction when appropriate
- Practical guidance for managing everyday demands at home and work
The aim is to make recommendations that fit your situation, not to give everyone the same plan.
There isn't one care plan for everyone
My recommendations depend on what we find, your circumstances and what you're hoping to achieve. Early care may focus on improving comfort and making movement easier. Over time, we assess how you're responding and whether the focus should shift toward spinal function and how your body handles the demands of everyday life.
Your progress helps guide the next steps. Care should be individualized, explained clearly and adjusted to your needs, not simply follow a predetermined schedule.
What patients say
In their own words
Now my neck feels lighter and I wake up without the stiffness… Dr. Gelber is not only a professional but a nice human being.
My headaches have decreased a lot… how small adjustments ended up having a bigger ripple effect than I expected.
I have been a patient of Dr. Gelber about 11 months due to neck pains and severe headaches… My neck feels much better, I can turn my head easily and I have less headaches now… Dr. Gelber is very approachable and always willing to answer questions.
Individual results may vary. Every patient's experience is their own.
Questions
Common questions
Can a chiropractor help with headaches?
Some headaches are associated with neck pain or restricted neck movement, while others have different causes. An assessment can help determine whether your neck findings may be relevant and whether chiropractic care is appropriate. New, severe or unusual headaches may require medical assessment.
How are neck adjustments tailored to me?
Recommendations depend on your history, examination findings, comfort and goals. I'll explain what I recommend and why before proceeding, and you can ask questions or discuss alternatives at any time.
Will I need an X-ray?
For adult patients, X-rays are commonly taken or existing imaging is reviewed as part of the evaluation when clinically appropriate. The decision to take additional X-rays depends on your history, examination findings and individual circumstances. Children under 12 are generally not X-rayed, and we do not take X-rays during pregnancy.
Have another question? Visit our Frequently Asked Questions page or contact our team. We’re happy to help you understand what to expect.
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If something has been bothering you, or you're simply ready to understand your spinal health better, let's start with an evaluation. We'll look at what's going on, discuss what we find, and work out whether we're a good fit to move forward together.
Questions before booking? Call 416-967-4466.