Chiropractic
Chiropractic care at Centre ProSanté is led by Dr. François Hains, chiropractor, who has focused for more than 30 years on complex neuromusculoskeletal conditions and pain that lasts.
Free parking · English & French
When pain has lasted too long
Most back and neck pain settles within a few weeks. Some of it digs in. It lasts months, sometimes years. It has often already been investigated and treated, sometimes without anyone being able to explain it.
Those are the situations this practice is built around. For over 30 years, he has focused on the assessment and management of complex neuromusculoskeletal conditions and persistent pain.
Pain that lasts involves different mechanisms than a recent injury: the tissues play a part, but so do the nervous system, sleep, activity level and one's relationship with movement. What that means for the assessment is set out in the section on chronic pain and complex conditions.
How care works
Safety first
Every assessment begins with screening for signs that may point to serious pathology requiring medical investigation. This step precedes any intervention, and is repeated if the clinical picture changes.
A thorough assessment
Full history, neurological and musculoskeletal examination, differential diagnosis, identification of the tissues involved and of the factors that may be sustaining the pain.
Myofascial therapy through ischemic compression
A manual technique applied to points of muscular tension, and a core part of his clinical practice for many years. He has conducted and published several randomized clinical trials on this approach.
Spinal manipulation and mobilization
Used where the assessment indicates them, according to the condition and the patient's preferences.
Exercise prescription
A graded program adapted to your situation, to be carried out between appointments and continued afterwards. This active portion of the work holds an important place in the management of persistent pain.
Education and empowerment
Your chiropractor makes a point of explaining what the examination shows, the options available to you, and the reasoning behind each recommendation. Understanding your condition, recognizing what aggravates it and having concrete means of responding changes how you approach your situation.
Those last two extend beyond the period of care. Their purpose is to equip you for what comes next: continuing the work on your own, recognizing the early signs of a flare-up, and knowing how to respond without having to wait for an appointment.
Reasons for consulting
Spine
- Acute, recurring or persistent lower back pain
- Neck pain, including whiplash-associated disorders
- Headaches associated with neck problems or tension
- Pain radiating into an arm or leg
Limbs and joints
- Shoulder, elbow, hip or knee pain
- Tendinopathies (commonly called tendinitis) and bursitis
- Sprains and muscle strains
- Sports injuries and overuse injuries
- Carpal tunnel syndrome and other nerve entrapment syndromes
Recent injuries and what follows
A sprain, a muscle strain or a sports injury is treated first in its acute phase. But an injury that appears to have resolved can leave traces: stiffness that lingers, apprehension about the movement, repeated recurrences, or pain that resurfaces later in a neighbouring area recruited to compensate.
Both situations are part of the practice here: the recent injury, and the one whose effects have settled in over time.
Persistent pain
- Myofascial pain and trigger points
- Fibromyalgia and widespread pain
- Chronic pain without a clear diagnosis despite investigation
Every situation is different. Your chiropractor will assess yours before discussing appropriate care.
Training and background
- Doctor of Chiropractic, Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College (1990)
- Two-year residency in clinical sciences, Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College (1990–1992)
- Fellow, College of Chiropractic Sciences (1993) — one of five specialty colleges recognized in Canada by the Federation of Canadian Chiropractic
- Master's degree in community health, Université de Montréal — research on the reliability of clinical examination and diagnosis in chronic neck pain
- Studies in insurance medicine and health sciences expertise, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal
- Diplomate member, Canadian Academy of Pain Management
- Adjunct Professor, Department of Chiropractic, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières
Professional involvement
- Chair, Specialty Colleges Council of the Federation of Canadian Chiropractic, and member of its executive council
- Past president, College of Chiropractic Sciences
- Member of the editorial board, Journal of the Canadian Chiropractic Association
- Member, Ordre des chiropraticiens du Québec
Training in chronic pain
His interest in chronic pain developed during his residency, then through his education at Université de Montréal and a sustained collaboration with the Canadian Academy of Pain Management, of which he is a diplomate member.
Research
Dr. François Hains, chiropractor, is the author or co-author of a dozen peer-reviewed publications. Several bear directly on the techniques used in the clinic.
Publications listed from most recent to oldest.
- Hains F, Blanchette M-A. Chiropractic specialties in Canada: realizing the full potential of advanced practice — a commentary. J Can Chiropr Assoc, 2026.
- Hains G, Descarreaux M, Hains F. Chronic shoulder pain of myofascial origin: a randomized clinical trial using ischemic compression therapy. J Manipulative Physiol Ther, 2010.
- Hains G, Descarreaux M, Lamy A, Hains F. A randomized controlled trial of ischemic compression therapy for chronic carpal tunnel syndrome. J Can Chiropr Assoc, 2010.
- Hains G, Hains F. Patellofemoral pain syndrome managed by ischemic compression to the trigger points: a randomized clinical trial. Clinical Chiropractic, 2010.
- Hains F, Goulet L, Rossignol M, Duranceau J, L'Espérance G. Clinical examination and diagnosis of chronic musculoskeletal neck pain: an interrater reliability study. Master's thesis in community health, Université de Montréal, 2003.
- Hains G, Hains F. Combined ischemic compression and spinal manipulation in the treatment of fibromyalgia. J Manipulative Physiol Ther, 2000.
What to expect
Have questions about your first visit? Call us and we'll walk you through it. During your assessment, your chiropractor can give you an estimate of the expected number of visits.
Other disciplines
Massage therapy
Massage therapy at Centre ProSanté is offered by Micheline Lecours, a registered massage therapist with nearly 20 years of experience and a member of the Fédération québécoise des massothérapeutes (FQM).
Learn morePodiatry
Podiatry at Centre ProSanté is provided by two podiatrists with surgical training, for children and adults: Dr. Robert Donaldson, podiatrist, and Dr. Scott Pace, podiatrist.
Learn more