Investing in Care: Why Dr. Martin Lai Became a Chiropractor
Before Dr. Martin Lai opened the doors of The Hip Joint in Toronto’s east end, he knew what it meant to watch someone’s health and mobility change suddenly. Growing up, his mother was a successful surgeon, a role model of precision and resilience. Then a car accident ended her career overnight.
“She went from being the person people turned to in crisis to someone who was searching for answers herself,” Dr. Lai recalls.
His mother tried everything she could from physiotherapy to massage and acupuncture, but progress was slow.
It wasn’t until she began seeing a chiropractor that she had her first real breakthrough in recovery. Instead of focusing exclusively on rebuilding strength, chiropractic treatments gave her space to rest, recover, and regain confidence in her daily movements.
As Dr. Lai watched his mother work with a chiropractor, her journey to recovery transformed the way he understood rehabilitation.
“That experience taught me recovery isn’t about getting back fast, it’s about coming back strong,” he says.
Eventually, the chiropractor who treated her became Dr. Lai’s mentor, showing him that care could be about more than symptom relief, it could be about laying a foundation for long-term health.
Today, as a chiropractor and founder of The Hip Joint, Dr. Lai carries that philosophy into every patient interaction. His practice is built around listening carefully, identifying barriers to movement, and collaborating with other professionals to design care plans that are both practical and progressive.
It’s why this year’s World Spine Day theme, Invest in Your Spine, resonates so strongly with him.
“When you put in the time and energy to care for your spine, you’re not just treating today’s problem, you’re protecting tomorrow’s possibilities. Investing in your spine means taking proactive steps to protect your mobility and prevent setbacks. When you put in that effort, you’re really investing in your future health and independence,” he says.