Serving Nanaimo & Central vancouver Island
Gold- Standard DEXA Body Composition & Bone Density Testing
Eliminate guesswork with the world's most accurate scan for lean muscle mass, visceral fat,
and bone mineral density. Located just 20 minutes south of Nanaimo in Ladysmith.
Why Nanaimo Clients Choose Cowichan Dexa in Ladysmith
Skip the crowded downtown corridors and appointment waitlists. Cowichan DEXA offers a private,
clinical- grade testing environment with immediate booking flexibility.
A Short 20-Minute Drive:
Located right off Highway 19, just 20 minutes south of South Nanaimo / Cedar.
Dedicated Front-Door Parking:
Free, effortless on-site parking with zero downtown parking fees or congestion.
Fast, Clinical-Grade Precision:
Complete your scan, review your comprehensive report with a specialist, and be on your way in under 25 minutes.
One 15 - Minute Scan. Total Clarity on Your Health
True Muscle vs. Fat Tracking
Bioimpedance smart scales (like InBody) fluctuate based on water intake and food. DEXA uses clinical dual- energy X-ray technology to provide medical- grade accuracy.
Skeletal Muscle Mass Index (SMMI): Track exact segmental muscle symmetry (arms, legs, torso)
Visceral Adipose Tissue (VAT): Quantify the dangerous fat surrounding internal organs that drives cardiovascular and metabolic risk.
True Body Fat Percentage: Gold-standard baseline for fat-loss and body recomposition programs.
Bone Health, Osteopenia & Osteoporosis
Detect early signs of bone thinning years before a standard fracture or routine doctor's screening.
Diagnostic T-Scores & Z-Scores: Comprehensive assessment of bone strength and fracture risk.
Targeted Aging & Prevention: Essential for post-menopausal women, athletes, and anyone prioritizing long-term mobility.
Actionable Exercise Benchmarks: Benchmark your bone density before starting heavy resistance or bio-density training.
Conveniently Located for Nanaimo Residents
Address: 541 3 Ave, Ladysmith
Driving Directions from Nanaimo: Head south on Trans-Canada Hwy. Take the 1st Ave exit in Ladysmith. Take the first exit of the roundabout onto Symonds Street. Take a left on 3 Ave until you reach the Hillside Medical Centre where Cowichan Dexa is Limited.
Estimated Travel Times:
-South Nanaimo: 15-18 minutes
-Downtown Nanaimo: 22-25 minutes
-North Nanaimo: 30-35 minutes
Who Is DEXA For?
DEXA is useful for anyone who wants objective, clinically precise information about body composition and bone health — people focused on performance, strength and conditioning athletes, those monitoring weight or metabolic health, adults concerned with bone density and osteoporosis prevention, and anyone who wants a clear, physician-interpreted baseline to measure progress over time.
What to Expect
1 Quick & Comfortable Appointment: Your appointment takes approximately 15-20 minutes, with the scan itself completed in just 6–7 minutes. Simply lie comfortably on the scanning table while the DEXA scanner collects your measurements.
2 Hospital-grade precision technology: Your scan is performed using our Hologic Horizon W DEXA system, a world-class scanner designed to provide highly accurate measurements of body fat, lean muscle, visceral fat, and bone density.
3 Safe, low-dose imaging: DEXA uses an extremely small amount of radiation — less than 1/3 the exposure of a standard chest X-ray and similar to natural background radiation received in daily life.
4 Detailed results and personalized insights: You will receive a comprehensive report breaking down your body composition, including muscle distribution, fat percentage, visceral fat, and bone health metrics — with physician interpretation to help you understand what your results mean.
Report delivery & follow-up: Following your appointment, your results will be carefully reviewed and compiled into a detailed report. Reports are provided within one week and are designed to offer clear, clinically meaningful insight into your body composition and bone health.
*Please note that DEXA scanning is not performed during pregnancy*
Simple, Transparent Pricing
Choose the option that best fits your needs.
DEXA Scan + Standard Report
A comprehensive physician-reviewed report explaining your DEXA results, including your body composition, muscle balance, visceral fat, and bone health metrics, with clear insights and general recommendations to help guide your health goals.
$159
DEXA Scan + Physician Report
Includes everything in the Standard Report package, plus a personalized physician interpretation and practical action plan tailored to your results & goals.
$219
REAL RESULTS
Hear from our community!
See how real patients in the Cowichan Valley are using their DEXA results to take control of their health.
"The scan process was quick and seamless in a beautiful, clean facility. Dr. McIlmoyle gave me a clear and actionable plan to support my long term health goals."
Dr. Riley Chen-Mack, Duncan, BC
"From start to finish the process was very professional. The scan itself goes by quickly and was not intrusive by any means. Highly recommend!"
Gianpierro Denomme, Duncan, BC
Trusted in the Cowichan Valley.
100%
Physician-reviewed reports
6–7
Minute DEXA scan
1/3
Radiation exposure of chest X-ray
Get more out of your health data.
See why physician-reviewed DEXA is the superior choice for understanding your body.
Traditional Scale/ BMI
- Measures total weight only
- No tissue composition data
- No clinical context
- No actionable path forward
DTC Consumer Tests
- Relies on estimates & algorithms
- Variable or lower accuracy
- Automated, generic reports
- Remote, impersonal service
Cowichan DEXA
Clinical-grade DEXA precision
Precision body composition data
Custom Physician Report
Local clinic in Ladysmith, BC
Frequently Asked Questions
What is DEXA?
DEXA (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry) is a clinical imaging test that measures body composition and bone density with high precision.
How long does the appointment take?
Appointments are 15-20 minutes; the scan itself is 6–7 minutes.
Do I need a physician referral?
No referral required! Book online at cowichandexa.ca!
How will I receive my results?
You will receive your custom report through your Jane account (our electronic medical record) within 1 week of your scan.
Is the scan safe?
DEXA uses a very small amount of radiation - equivalent to approximately 1/3 of a standard chest X-ray. This is about the same as natural background radiation experienced in one day for the average person.
Can I use insurance?
DEXA body composition scans are not currently covered by provincial health insurance or most extended health plans; however, receipts are provided and may be submitted to your insurer or health spending account if eligible.
Stop guessing. Start understanding - with clarity and a clear path forward.
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