make an appointment
office hours
Practice Member Login
West Springs Calgary Chiropractor : Dr. Mark Plotnikoff
"I began seeing a Chiropractor at the age of 15 following a hockey injury to my cervical spine," comments Dr. Mark Plotnikoff. At first I couldn't understand why I was going and secondly I was nervous. I didn't know what to expect. I was just like you...scared! But I was in so much pain and nothing else seemed to help!
"It was amazing," comments Dr. Plotnikoff. "I'll never forget my first adjustment. It was like someone had removed this heavy weight from my shoulders. WOW! I could actually move my neck, no pain for the first time in several weeks. Most importantly I was able to play hockey again! From skeptic to scared to believer, and now I am a Doctor of Chiropractic!
After my hockey career was completed I began taking a personal interest in bodybuilding, fitness, nutrition, and human performance. Of course when you body build everyone knows Arnold Schwarzenegger and his passion for muscles. He was an inspiration to me and so was his training partner Dr. Franco Columbo, whom became a Chiropractor.
My motivation to become a Chiropractor was a natural fit with my passion for helping people achieve their personal fitness goals, Chiropractic became attractive, I could now help people with their injuries and achieve wellness.
Chiropractic Education
Dr. Plotnikoff began his pre-chiropractic education at Selkirk College where he studied the basic science such as inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, biology, cell biology, anatomy and physiology, and mathematics.
After completion, he was accepted to Western States Chiropractic College (WSCC) in Portland, Oregon. During his four years at WSCC, courses included biochemistry, spinal anatomy, gross anatomy, neurophysiology, neuroanatomy, human physiology, X-ray, clinical diagnosis, chiropractic adjusting techniques, patient care at the WSCC public clinic. Over 4500 hours of education! After graduating in 1994 Dr. Plotnikoff wrote his Canadian Boards and several Provincial licensing Boards before establishing his practice.
WSCC program focuses on legitimate, mainstream evidence on the evaluation and care of patients and their needs. Treating the human being - the whole human being is the way Dr. Plotnikoff has practiced since 1994. "We love to educate our patients," says Dr. Plotnikoff. "I still remember the concerns and issues I had when I went to the chiropractor for the first time. So we always make it a point to explain everything in advance, answer questions, provide treatment plans to help patients achieve a wellness lifestyle. "I am happier that you understand why your body is demonstrating symptoms and pain, what ever treatment you choose to reach a healthier lifestyle is your decision always," says Dr. Plotnikoff. Once educated I know you will choose Chiropractic as that treatment option for achieving wellness!
Dr. Plotnikoff is also a Certified Graston Technique Provider, a Registered Trigenics Practitioner and has taken courses in Kinesiotaping.
Patient education is a fundamental part of my practice
Chiropractic has offered me a rare opportunity to provide my practice members the ability to live pain-free lifestyles. Patient education is a fundamental part of my practice, the Chiropractic philosophy and experience that I have learned in the past 16 years has been an important part in the way my family and I carry on our lives. I enjoy teaching others a different perspective on health, especially how different stressors effect us and most importantly our nervous systems. Its very enjoyable to see how patients learn and get to understand Chiropractic’s role in health...especially the skeptics who have never been to a Chiropractor before. Watching them evolve from so called “non-believers” to “Chiropractic advocates on a mission”. It’s too funny and lots of fun!!
Outside the office
I wanted to both live and practice in my community...so I did! I live within minutes of my practice. I am married to my beautiful wife Robyn, my children are Madelyn age 6, Reese age 4, and Blaire age 4 months. You can say I am busy! Right now with the ages of my children we enjoy spending time together, doing whatever! We enjoy biking, playing outdoors, swimming, soccer at the moment. My family and I really enjoy the warm weather so our favorite time of year is summer. We enjoy traveling to California, Hawaii, and Manitoba to visit the cousins.
I personally enjoy playing hockey, running, roller blading, and activities with my children. I enjoy the outdoors, the fresh air that comes with it, camp fires.
As a Doctor of Chiropractic my goal is to teach you what it means to live healthy. When you book an appointment with me it won’t be your typical “lay on the table, crack, how does that feel, see you Monday approach.” My approach is to show you “why” your body hurts! I enjoy educating patients, I believe the more knowledgeable you are about your body the better a patient becomes at making their own decisions on who to consult when they are hurting.
I look forward to meeting you in person and learning how we may be of service to you. Give our West Springs Calgary chiropractic office a call, or email me using the link below and let’s arrange a time to explore your options.”
