Chiropractic is a science, art, and philosophy that concerns itself with the relationship between the nervous system and healthy function of the body. Chiropractic is based on the scientific fact that the nervous system controls the function of every cell, tissue, organ and the system of the body.
Improper function of the spine due to misalignments are called Subluxations that can cause poor health or function, even in areas far removed from the spine and spinal cord itself.
Subluxations are often ASYMPTOMATIC and may only rarely cause noticeable signs, such as pain or discomfort in the early stages. Over time the subluxation becomes more complicated, progressing from a relatively minor problem to a gradual reduction in function of the body and diminished levels of health. Long-term Subluxations can result in permanent spinal damage.
Causes of Vertebral Subluxation – various stressors to the body can cause the nervous system to malfunction. These can come from Physical, Emotional and Chemical assaults;
Physical
Chemical – these chemical stressors can lead to chronic inflammatory conditions in the body, which can cause the body to wind up into a fight/flight state.
Emotional
As we are all exposed to the factors that cause Subluxations it is essential that we all have regular adjustments to maintain optimal health regardless of our age.
At Lake Road Chiropractic we use multiple techniques to suit the needs and address the comfort level of the patient. Some patients favour very low force, gentle instrument adjusting, others prefer the more physical manual based adjusting techniques; we can provide either method to suit you.
Some of the Chiropractic techniques used in our practice include:
Activator Method – Low force
The Activator Method uses a small, hand-held instrument called the Activator Instrument to deliver a gentle impulse force to the spine with the goal of restoring motion to the targeted spinal vertebra or joint. To find out more, click here
Diversified – Manual based
This technique is the most commonly used and is the one probably most familiar to patients. The Diversified manipulation/adjustment entails a high velocity, low-amplitude thrust delivered by hand and possibly with assistance from a table or block. Patients say it is the one where you hear the “click” of the spine.
Drop Piece – Low to Moderate Force, depending on need
This technique uses the law of inertia to help adjust joints that are not moving normally. Drop piece adjustments are lighter, gentler and without many of the twisting positions that can accompany diversified adjusting.
Neuro-Impulse Protocol (NIP) – Low force
NIP is a form of full body assessment that has a more neurological emphasis. The examination involves the integration of very precise Chiropractic assessment techniques and detailed neurological examination. NIP adjustments are low force by nature and you will not feel or hear any “cracking/clicking” sounds.
Sacro Occipital (SOT) – Low Force
Sacro Occipital Technique (SOT) is a comprehensive, gentle and innovative technique of Chiropractic using blocks or wedges under the pelvis. To find out more, Click here
Webster Technique (Used in Pregnancy) – Low Force
This technique uses a specific sacral adjustment to help facilitate the mother’s pelvic alignment and nerve system function. This in turn balances pelvic muscles and ligaments, and reduces torsion to the uterus.
Flexion Distraction – Low Force
Is used to treat many conditions of the lumbar spine. It is a non-surgical technique aimed at increasing spinal motion and resolving disc bulges and disc herniations. We have a specialised table that creates gentle traction of the discs to help remove pressure on the spinal cord and nerves.
Torque Release Technique (TRT) – Low Force
Your Chiropractor will be checking your spinal column for areas where the nervous system is being damaged by Subluxation and will deliver an adjustment using the Integrator Instrument. The Integrator sounds like a staple gun and will feel like a quick impulse into the muscles of your spinal column.
The advantage of the Integrator is that it can deliver a specific frequency into the nerve endings of the spinal column, exactly where the nerve function has become compromised and irritated. It is a jump-start for your body’s “electrical system.” As such this is not so much a technique to manually stretch or realign your body. It is a technique to stimulate your nervous system in such a way that it will release and reduce tension, assisting your body to self-correct.
Our Chiropractors will tailor their techniques to suit your individual needs. If you have a preferred method that is not listed here, please contact our office to discuss.
Nasal Release Technique (NRT)
When a concussive force goes into the head, structural changes occur in the brain. Dr. Bennett Omalu was the first pathologist to discover that concussion leads to metabolic changes in the brain. It makes sense that when an impaction force goes into the head it affects the sutural movement in the bones of the skull. This trauma then affects the fluid movement to the brain. It was always believed in osteopathic thought that the cerebrospinal fluid was the clearing mechanism in the brain.
In June of 2015, lymphatic vessels were discovered by high resolution imagery. When the brain is traumatized by a concussion, the brain has difficulty clearing the metabolic response to the injury. This why the protein lays down in the brain. There are structural techniques that can address this problem and restore this fluid movement.
Nasal Release Technique is a structural procedure that uses a blood pressure bulb with a finger cot attached to it. It is inserted between the spaces of the nasal turbinates and inflated. This releases the sutures of the skull mechanically through the pressure of the inflation. Following this, patients who have not responded to standard vestibular care see reduction or elimination of symptoms.
The procedure is effective for Post Concussion Syndrome, Headaches and Sinus Problems.
In the words of the New Zealand Government’s Inquiry, chiropractic care is “remarkably safe.” Chiropractic has an excellent safety record. It is the result of a conservative approach to health that avoids invasive procedures or addictive drugs.
In relation to the treatment of neck and back pain, studies have shown that a course of chiropractic care was 250 times safer than a course of anti-inflammatory drugs.
Since significant trauma can occur at birth, many parents choose to have their newborns checked for any spinal health related problems. Later, learning to walk, riding a bicycle, and other childhood activities can cause spinal health related problems.
While a bandage and some comforting words can help a skinned knee, the potential underlying structural damage to the child’s spine, skull, pelvis and extremities is the unique domain of a chiropractor.
Many childhood health complaints that are brushed off as “growing pains” may be able to be traced to the spine. Regular chiropractic checkups may be able to identify these problems and help avoid some of the health complaints seen later in adults. Naturally, Chiropractic adjusting procedures are modified to a child’s spine, particularly babies.
More and more people are consulting chiropractic doctors, especially in their later years.
With growing concerns about over-medication and the side effects of combining various prescription drugs, safe, natural chiropractic care is growing in popularity.
Restoring better spinal function can help improve mobility, vitality, endurance, and appetite.
Many patients report improvements with arthritic symptoms and other chronic ailments often associated with the aging process. The adjusting technique used by your doctor will be modified for maximum comfort and results. As we get older and wiser, the simplicity and effectiveness of chiropractic care becomes more and more obvious.
Spinal problems, neglected since early childhood, may require ongoing supportive care for optimum spinal function. These long-standing problems are often associated with muscle weakness, soft tissue damage, and degenerative changes to the spine.
Most patients find that periodic chiropractic checkups help keep them in tip-top shape. Those who are active, have stressful jobs, or want to be their very best, find that a schedule of preventative visits are helpful in the maintenance of good health.
Some patients seek chiropractic care only when their ache or pain becomes unbearable. While this style of “crisis management” is usually more costly and time consuming, chiropractors stand ready to help all patients, regardless of their health goals. How long you decide to benefit from chiropractic care is always up to you.
In most cases, not at all. In fact most people find having an adjustment very relaxing.
With some adjustments you may sometimes feel or hear popping sound from the spinal joints. This is simply caused by a gas release from the joint as spinal movement is restored, such as when a wet glass is removed from a table. Some chiropractors use a hand held instrument to adjust the spine. Others use pelvic blocks to re-align the body. Special techniques are used for adjusting infants and children. Whatever the technique, chiropractors use skill, not force or strength, to conduct a safe, effective adjustment.
If you’re new to chiropractic care, you’ll want to know what type of result you can expect. Individual experience varies from person to person, but most people can expect some benefits soon after beginning care and for these to consolidate further as therapy continues. Statistically too, research shows that chiropractic care is more effective and economical and also gives longer lasting results for disorders of the spine than other forms of health care.
In understanding the difference between chiropractic and physiotherapy, we recommend referring to the definition of each practice. Chiropractic is a health care discipline based on the scientific premise that the body is a self-regulating, self-healing organism. The practice of chiropractic focuses on the relationship between structure (primarily the spine and pelvis) and function (as coordinated by the nervous system) and how that relationship affects the preservation and restoration of health. Physiotherapy, as described by the Australian Physiotherapy Association, “uses a variety of techniques to help your muscles and joints work to their full potential. It can help repair damage by speeding up the healing process and reducing pain and stiffness.
Each individual is different and must make their own choice about the most appropriate method of care for them. We believe chiropractic, with its central focus on the spine, nervous system and their impact on entire body provides a health care option that can help manage pain as well as assist in achieving optimal well-being.
Chiropractors are primary healthcare practitioners therefore a referral is not necessary. However more and more GP’s are referring to Chiropractors. Hence, your GP can simply write the referral if he feels it necessary, yet it is not essential for you. If further explanation is required please feel free to phone our practice on 6583 1449.
Chiropractors must complete a five-year university degree. A three year full time Bachelor of Chiropractic Science and a two year full time Master of Chiropractic. Chiropractic is recognised worldwide and supported by the World Health Organisation (WHO). Chiropractors must be registered and licensed to practise by the Chiropractors’ Registration Board. Chiropractors are regulated by AHPRA, who also oversee various other health professionals including Medical Doctors, Nurses, Pharmacists, Physiotherapists and Dentists.
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