Chiropractor and Athletic Therapist in Winnipeg
Dr. Christopher Notley, DC, CAT(C), CAFCI
Dr. Christopher Notley is a chiropractor and certified athletic therapist practicing in Winnipeg, Manitoba. He has provided musculoskeletal care since 2000, with a clinical focus on headaches, neck pain, low back pain, and injuries related to sport, exercise, and physical work.
His practice combines chiropractic assessment and manual therapy with sports injury management and rehabilitation. This approach is designed to address pain while also restoring strength, movement, and tolerance to activity, particularly for individuals who want to return to training, sport, or physically demanding work.
Education and Clinical Training
Dr. Notley earned his Bachelor of Physical Education from the University of Manitoba in 1997. During this time, he began his athletic therapy internship, developing a foundation in injury assessment, rehabilitation, and exercise prescription. He became a Certified Athletic Therapist in 2000 and later completed certification as a Strength and Conditioning Specialist.
His early clinical work focused on injury care and physical performance. He has worked with athletes at the provincial, national, and international levels, as well as with members of the general public recovering from injury or managing physical limitations. In addition to clinical practice, Dr. Notley spent five years as an anatomy instructor at the Professional Institute of Massage Therapy, teaching anatomy and movement principles to healthcare students.
Approach to Care
Dr. Notley emphasizes assessment and clinical reasoning. Appointments begin with a detailed history and physical examination to identify contributing factors, rule out more serious conditions, and guide decision-making.
Treatment is individualized and based on findings rather than a fixed treatment plan. Care may include manual therapy, exercise-based rehabilitation, education, and activity modification. Progress is monitored over time, and care is adjusted based on how the body responds rather than a predetermined number of visits.
Training in both chiropractic care and athletic therapy allows injuries to be managed at different stages of recovery. Manual therapy may be used to reduce pain or restore movement, while rehabilitation focuses on rebuilding strength, control, and tolerance to load. This combined approach is particularly relevant for sports injuries, recurring injuries, and conditions that have not fully resolved with rest alone.
“My goal is to help you move better, move with less pain, and return to the activities that matter to you.”
Dr Christopher Notley
Chiropractic and Sports Injury Care
After working in multidisciplinary clinics in and around Winnipeg, Dr. Notley pursued additional training to broaden the scope of care he could provide. In 2005, he entered the Doctor of Chiropractic program at Northwestern Health Sciences University, graduating summa cum laude in 2008.
Chiropractic training expanded his expertise in spinal and joint assessment, manual therapy, and the management of mechanical pain conditions. Combined with his background in athletic therapy, this allows Dr. Notley to manage injuries across the full continuum of care, from acute assessment through rehabilitation and return to activity.
While general chiropractic care often focuses on reducing pain and restoring joint motion, sports injury management also addresses how an injury occurred, what tissues are involved, and what physical demands the individual needs to return to. This distinction is important for people whose symptoms improve at rest but return when activity levels increase.
Who This Type of Care Is For
Dr. Notley commonly works with recreational and competitive athletes, individuals recovering from sports or exercise-related injuries, and people whose work involves physical demands such as lifting, prolonged standing, or repetitive movement. He also treats patients with recurring pain that returns when activity levels increase or when they attempt to resume normal activity.
Working Within the Healthcare System
Chiropractic training expanded his expertise in spinal and joint assessment, manual therapy, and the management of mechanical pain conditions. Combined with his background in athletic therapy, this allows Dr. Notley to manage injuries across the full continuum of care, from acute assessment through rehabilitation and return to activity.
While general chiropractic care often focuses on reducing pain and restoring joint motion, sports injury management also addresses how an injury occurred, what tissues are involved, and what physical demands the individual needs to return to. This distinction is important for people whose symptoms improve at rest but return when activity levels increase.