Dr. Justin Marcotte, DC, MSc
Dr. Justin Marcotte earned his doctor of chiropractic degree with honors (cum laude) at CMCC in 1987. After ten years of full time sucessful practice in a multidisciplinary setup, he started teaching clinical sciences at the newly established chiropractic program of the Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières (UQTR) and became a full time professor in 1998 while still continuing part time practice which allowed him a definitely clinical view about research. Upon completion of a research oriented higher education program, Dr. Marcotte received in 2001 his masters degree with a specialization in biomechanics of the spine.
Dr. Justin Marcotte is in the process of enrolling in a PhD program in biological sciences and population health at the Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM) under the direction of Dr. Jean P. Boucher, PhD. The thesis work would involve Dr. Marcotte’s actual orientation in spinal biomechanics and the application of magnetic stimulation as a diagnostic tool. The clinical studies involving a magnetic stimulator of specific nerve pathways would allow for an objective, instrumentally measured, characterization of abnormal biomechanics of the cervical spine. The second objective of the studies are aimed at the quantification of the corrective effects of the chiropractic adjustment and therapeutic approach on patients with non specific cervical chronic or recurrent pain syndromes. The research protocol for this study has passed the preliminary acceptance by the institutional research committee on ethics and the first stage of the clinical experiment has gone well.
Dr. Justin Marcotte is currently funded by the Fondation Chiropratique du Québec (FCQ) on a three year subvention for his research work on the standardization and biomechanics of the test of rotation palpation of the cervical spine. The FCQ has also offered its support to fund clinical research involving neck sufferers by means of magnetic stimulation that would take place at the University chiropractic clinic of UQTR.
Dr. Marcotte’s research experience includes direction in a number of studies which were published or are awaiting publication in JMPT and JCCA, notably:
The elaboration of a standardized protocol of rotation palpation of the neck. The protocol which focussed on specific aspects of the biomechanics of the test has yielded a remarkably high level of interexaminer reliability;
The measurement of the kinematics parameters of the standardized motion palpation in rotation of the cervical spine using a computerized system of kinematics data collection. The study verified that a standardized protocol allows for the reproducability of the test within very confined limits;
The measurement of the kinetics component of palpation of the cervical spine using ultra-sensible pressure sensors. The study showed that palpation with the standardized protocol is light and comfortable for the patient;
The evaluation of a scale of assessment for the test of cervical motion palpation was shown in this study to be a valuable tool of quantification for the benefit of clinical periodic examination.
Another area of research and publication for Dr. Marcotte has stemmed from his involvement in teaching the philosophy class of the chiropractic doctorate program at UQTR. After compiling numerous literary works on the philosophy of health and science for the past seven years, Dr. Marcotte is currently writing his ‘Global vision of Life, Health and Science’ that would expose the profound effect of recent research in biology and physics on a vitalistic modern approach of health, and how a psychosocial, patient centered paradigm of chiropractic can incorporate these new philosophical tenets.
In addition to his research and teaching activities, Dr. Marcotte is closely involved with the regulatory body of chiropractic in Quebec, regularly acting as an expert witness on the subject of standards of practice on behalf of the Ordre des chiropraticiens du Québec (OCQ) since the year 2000.
Along with a fulfilling family life with his wife Dr. Denise Martin, DC, and three daugthers, and being still active in private practice, Dr. Justin Marcotte has dedicated his life to the advancement of chiropractic, neglecting none of its cornerstones of Art, Science and Philosophy, and encompassing all its Principles.