Terms such as "Band-Aid solution" or "take two Advil and call me in the morning" rarely crop up in conversation at the Calgary Center For Health.

"We're about better health without better chemistry," said Dr. Blaine Bugg, one of a team of three healthcare professionals now accepting new patients in this hospitable, comfortable and superbly equipped facility at 1000 5th Avenue S.W.

Dr. Bugg and his colleagues, Dr. Brad Kane and Dr. Leslie Shaw, are similarly committed to the belief that each of us must ultimately assume responsibility for his or her own state of long-term well-being.

Simply popping a prescribed pill to mask recurring neck, head or lower-back pain is a stop-gap solution. There are more effective corrective approaches available.

Dr. Blaine Bugg and his colleagues believe patients must understand the reasoning behind every step of their treatment.

"Our ideal patient is someone who knows they must be involved in their own health care," explained Dr. Bugg, also the co-ordinator for the Canadian Pro Rodeo sport medicine team.

"Our patients are active people who accept accountability for their own lifestyle choices."

So if you're in search of a fast-acting magic pill to cure what ails you, the Calgary Center for Health will challenge you to rethink and retool your approach.

"Our patients understand a broader perspective of health and wellness and realize the magic bullet doesn’t exist. It comes down to investing in health in a similar way to long-term investment strategies," said Dr. Bugg.

But if you're anxious to improve your own state of wellness; if you're willing to take responsibility and work with these dedicated professionals toward a pain-free future, you'll be welcomed with empathy and warmth to the Calgary Center for Health.

When you walk through the elevator doors on the second floor, you'll quickly get the feeling you're in the best of caring hands.

The Center's professional team rightly believes the facility represents a flagship of chiropractic excellence in Alberta while simultaneously fostering that unmistakable feeling of family.

Their motto: Creating healthy, drug-free families. This explains why the Center welcomes patients from newborns and toddlers all the way up to health-conscious seniors.

At the same time, these practitioners believe in yet another essential ingredient: education.

To achieve therapeutic success, patients must fully understand the reasoning behind every step of their treatment.

"This is one of our top priorities," said Dr. Bugg. "We'll research any topic we're questioned about. We take full advantage of our own resources and the Internet to get people the pertinent information to help them make intelligent decisions."

Once you step off the elevator to be welcomed into the Center’s "family," you will experience an extensive and informative health evaluation.

Generally, pain can be related to concepts as simple as postural alignment. A chiropractor is trained to pick up on these relationships.

"Eating right, reducing stress, and maintaining maximal spinal structure are all key to ensuring good health," remarked Dr. Bugg.

When the doctor has finished personally reviewing your examination findings, the next step may be the adjustment table.

You'll be pleased to note the architecturally clean lines and comforting "open" layout of the treatment area. At the Center, patients are not placed behind closed doors in small, stuffy rooms.

Certified members of the College of Chiropractors of Alberta, all three of these doctors at the Calgary Center for Health work closely with an integrated wellness team that provides treatments including massage therapy, exercise therapy and nutritional counselling.

The Center is also equipped with the latest in computer and digital X-ray technology. This allows the practitioners to perform clinical scans which serve as integral diagnostic tools, while providing the patient with detailed insights into potential problems.

Digital X-ray images give the professionals a much closer and accurate look as they evaluate and interpret diagnostic films.

"Sometimes symptoms are the last danger signal to show up. We need to keep our patients informed as to our specific treatment objectives," said Dr. Bugg.

The Center is also equipped with an in-house fitness facility, patient lending library, video equipment, even an interactive ergonomic station, to help patients evaluate the adjustment of their own office furniture. Poorly adjusted chairs and the unblinking glare of computer screens can lead to severe, stress-related headaches.

But, with your help, the doctors of the Calgary Center For Health will seek drug-free solutions to relieve symptoms while identifying, addressing and removing the root cause.

"We're here to go beyond your expectations," smiled Dr. Bugg.

So contact the Calgary Center For Health at 403.270.7001 (website: www.spine.ca) and see for yourself.

Forget about stop-gap measures and take charge of your own wellness destiny – for life.