Chiropractic Expertise, Healthy Aging, Member Features, Patient Stories
Dr. Stephen Gray: Movement Takes ‘Centre Stage’ in Spine Health for Life
For Dr. Stephen Gray, the power of movement is life changing. Before becoming a chiropractor, he was a professional dancer — participating in Broadway tours throughout his 20s.
It was during this time that Dr. Gray developed a deep appreciation of movement and a passion for chiropractic. Now the founder of Made to Move, a multidisciplinary clinic in Toronto, Ontario, he’s become the practitioner he wished he’d had during his career in the arts.
“That’s the beauty of being a chiropractor. You could have a patient for life,” says Dr. Gray. “You get to see that journey, step in when necessary, and help them increase their capacity to meet those new and changing demands.”
Dr. Gray’s approach combines hands-on care with personalized movement strategies. His patient-centred approach aligns closely with this year’s World Spine Day message of “Spine Health for Life” — that chiropractic care can help people confidently “Move Like It Matters” at every stage of life.
“As my parents are aging, I’m reflecting on my own self,” says Dr. Gray. “I want to be independent [when I’m their age], to feel good, and I want to be able to do a cartwheel! That’s what ‘spine health for life’ means to me.”
Dr. Gray’s dedication to ensuring his patients can continue doing the activities that matter most to them is what ultimately led Vanessa Sears, a celebrated Canadian singer and actor, to begin treatment with him.
Sears, who was bitten by the theatre bug at an early age, recently starred as Juliet in the Canadian production of & Juliet. To properly embody a character on stage, she believes mobility is essential.
“If I’m playing a character in six-inch heels, that takes a very different toll on your body,” says Sears. “If I’m doing a musical where there’s a really challenging dance number — big jumps, big tricks — I’m doing loads of cardio in this quick burst and then running off stage to do a quick change into the next costume…your body responds differently to that.”
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Throughout her career, Sears remembers times when she pushed her body too hard that it entered what she calls “crisis mode.” However, working with Dr. Gray over the last five years has helped her understand her limits so that it isn’t “curtains” on moving the way she needs to inside and outside of the theatre.
“Little things truly add up over time…It’s about taking care of yourself and not making it a punishment that you have to move or do some core training,” says Dr. Gray. “It’s a privilege to be able to move the way that I’m still able to as a retired [professional] dancer.”
Dr. Gray is grateful to be involved in supporting the health of Sears and other patients — keeping mobility top of mind so they’re able to live their lives to the fullest.