Dr. Nik Dukovac is a Chiropractor serving the Kitchener, Waterloo, and Cambridge community with a focus on spinal health, nervous system function, and evidence informed care. He brings international clinical experience, peer reviewed research authorship, and professional speaking to his work at Fairway Chiropractic Centre.
Dr. Dukovac graduated from the University of Guelph with a Bachelor of Science degree, followed by his Doctor of Chiropractic degree from the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College in 2007.
Special Clinical Interests:
From a young age growing up in Kapuskasing, Northern Ontario, I was amazed at how Chiropractic adjustments greatly enhanced my recovery from injuries from playing hockey and optimised my performance. Chiropractic kept me in top shape all through my competitive years playing for the Jr. B. St. Marys Lincolns, which is not too far from here!
This part of my journey inspired me to become a Chiropractor. I studied Human Kinetics at University of Guelph for 3 years. After an additional 4 years of study at Chiropractic College in Toronto, I graduated in 2007.
My wife and I excitedly moved to Australia straight out of school, and loved every moment! I was a Chiropractor there for 15 years, owning two offices near Adelaide, South Australia.
In 2021, we moved to Central America, Nicaragua, following the seed that God put in my heart several years ago, to serve local people of a third world country.
At the end of 2022, I put the local communities of Nicaragua that I served in the good hands of a fellow chiropractor, and we moved back to Canada to be closer to our families.
In early 2023, I met Dr. Steve Murdoch. What a blessing he has been to me, and to this community. I am honoured that Dr. Steve chose me to purchase his incredible practice. I know I have big shoes to fill!
I could not have imagined a better person to take over for. We care for patients with the same degree of passion and compassion; the same way we would care for any one of our very own family members. The method and style of chiropractic care we provide is as similar as you could get. Chiropractic is not just a job for either one of us, it is a calling.
I consider the body as a whole, despite someone’s focal injury.
Health is from above-down, inside-out:
I understand the body to be created by God, controlled by the brain and nervous system. This includes your muscles, your organs, your hormonal system, everything.
I believe that your body has the God-given ability to self-heal, self-regulate, and thrive.
Stressors of life (physical, emotional, and chemical/toxic) cause your body to tense up and joints in your spine compensate accordingly, causing misalignments – what chiropractors call ‘vertebral subluxations’.
The word subluxation in latin means ‘a condition of less than full light’. This is because when a joint of your spine becomes subluxated (which can happen as early as birth) your brain’s ability to communicate to your body is less than full capacity. But your body is remarkable at coping and compensating – many people go on for several decades before their back pain and headaches begin!
Chiropractic does not cure any disease or condition. (I know it sounds strange – why bother going then, right?!) But hear me out…
Chiropractic is all about reducing subluxations (the physical stress from your spine), improving the nervous system’s ability to coordinate your body to recover and thrive; allowing peak performance in sport, at home, and at work, as well as in the developing body’s of our little people.
Once your nervous system is functioning better, we see people recover from all kinds of conditions. But it is their body doing the recovery, not the chiropractor.
I am the product of 2 loving parents; a French-Canadian mother, and a Canadian born Croatian father. I grew up as the second youngest in a family of 5 kids.
I am a blessed husband, and a father of two gorgeous young children – both born in our home in Australia. I love exploring life with them, from play, sports, cooking, camping, and everything outdoors. I am humbled to have the privilege to guide them in the joy of life through Christ.
Our amazing kids are our joy. Our boy, Mack is a lover of all sports – hockey and baseball are his favourites. Our girl, Harbour, works hard to keep up with her older brother and has a personality that makes us laugh every day!
Traditional Manual (hands-on) Chiropractic. Also known specifically as Diversified Technique.
Modified to the individual.
From as gentle as required for infants (no cracking – like testing the ripeness of a tomato), to as firm as is required to move a football linemen.
Hands on approach, focus on restoring chiropractic spinal subluxations with manual chiropractic adjustments and muscle release to primary myofascial trigger points.
However multiple other techniques are used. Just call and ask us if you have a particular question.
Dr. Dukovac’s clinical career spans multiple countries and practice environments.
Dr. Dukovac is the founder of the Disc Repair Clinic, a specialized division within Fairway Chiropractic Centre focused on complex spinal conditions and nerve related pain.
The Disc Repair Clinic emphasizes:
Care integrates spinal decompression therapy with principles from the McGill Method and the Movement Method to improve long term outcomes and reduce recurrence.
Dr. Dukovac is an experienced professional speaker and educator, presenting to sports organizations, multidisciplinary healthcare audiences, and the public.
Selected engagements include:
Breastfeeding and Tongue Tie, the Role of Chiropractic
Presented to midwives, lactation consultants, and allied health professionals including physiotherapists, chiropractors, and osteopaths
Conquer Your Back Pain with The Movement Method
A patient focused educational program designed to improve movement, posture, and recovery confidence
Dr. Dukovac has completed extensive postgraduate learning across pediatric care, sports performance, spinal biomechanics, and nervous system focused Chiropractic care.
Paediatrics and family care topics include:
Adult and performance focused topics include:
I was born in Kielce, Poland, and came to Canada as a baby. I spent most of my childhood in Windsor, Ontario, before my family moved to Kitchener in 2006, and I’ve called it home ever since. Growing up in a Polish household, natural healing was a part of everyday life. There was always a tea, herb, or ointment for just about every ailment. That environment sparked an early appreciation for holistic approaches to health and wellness.
From a young age, I was fascinated by the human body and everything it’s capable of. I knew early on that I wanted to help people feel and move better. As I got older, I had the opportunity to shadow various healthcare professionals and spent several years volunteering at Grand River Hospital, where I observed their rehabilitation team. It was through these experiences that I discovered how rewarding it is to be part of someone’s healing journey, and that I wanted to do that every day.
I completed my Bachelor of Science in Health Studies at the University of Waterloo and then went on to earn my Doctor of Chiropractic degree from the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College. During my fourth-year clinical internship, I had the privilege of providing care to patients in both North York and downtown Toronto. As a chiropractic intern, I witnessed firsthand the meaningful impact I could have on others’ lives, an experience that affirmed my passion for the field and confirmed that this is where I’m meant to be.
As someone who has practiced kickboxing and Muay Thai in the past and continues to train regularly at the gym, I’m no stranger to injuries. I understand the frustration that comes with being sidelined by pain. Chiropractic care has helped me recover time and time again, and that fuels my passion for helping others. Whether it’s an athlete trying to return to peak performance, a weekend warrior, or someone simply looking to live life to the fullest, nothing brings me more satisfaction than seeing my patients thrive.
Outside the clinic, you’ll often find me lifting weights, playing with my dog Cupid, skiing in the winter, or keeping up with the latest UFC fights. I’m a big believer in staying active, enjoying life, and always learning something new.
