Chiropractors work with people of all ages to specifically and gently restore and maintain optimal nervous system function so that your body can heal and thrive.
Supporting your wellbeing
Before you choose any healthcare service, it’s important to understand what it involves.
We’re here to share the what, why, and how chiropractic care can help support your wellbeing.
What is Chiropractic Care?
Chiropractic care is fundamentally based on the idea that the nervous system controls every cell and organ in the body.
Chiropractic care aims to create a domino effect of improved function and relief throughout the body by aligning the spine, optimising nerve flow and offering a holistic approach to health and wellness.
Nervous System
When vertebrae in the spine become misaligned, it can put pressure on the nerves coming out of the spinal cord.
This can cause pain and interfere with the signals sent by the brain to various parts of the body and vice versa.
Adjusting the spine to correct these subluxations helps improve nerve conductivity and supports your body’s functions.
Muscles and Soft Tissue
Muscle function is closely linked to the nervous system.
Nerves control the contraction and relaxation of muscles, allowing you to move and perform virtually all bodily functions.
If a nerve is compressed or irritated by a misaligned vertebra, it can cause muscle tension, spasms, or weakness. It can also lead to other symptoms like pain or numbness radiating down an arm or leg.
The Chiropractic Approach
Chiropractors use a variety of techniques to adjust the spine and improve alignment.
These techniques may include manual adjustments, where the chiropractor uses their hands to manipulate the spine, or instrument-assisted techniques, which use specialised tools to perform the adjustments.
Video resources
Some chiropractic terms you may come across:
Subluxations: Misalignments in the spinal vertebrae affect nerve communications.
Adjustments: Manual techniques to realign the spine.
Why you might look for chiropractic care
Many people reach out to chiropractors for support with
Back pain
Neck pain
Headaches
Sciatica
Muscle tension
Sports injuries
Pregnancy
Stress-related health issues
Sleep
Energy
Posture
The chiropractic care process
Initial consultation and assessment
Your first appointment will involve a detailed health history and physical examination.
Development of a plan
A customised chiropractic care plan will be developed based on your needs.
A typical session
A session may include an assessment for vertebral subluxations and chiropractic adjustments where appropriate.
How chiropractic care differs from physiotherapy
Chiropractic care and physiotherapy both support normal and healthy function but differ in approach and focus.
Chiropractic care primarily targets the spine, joints, and nervous system, often using spinal adjustments to correct alignment and improve overall health. Diagnostic methods may include X-rays to identify spinal issues.
Physiotherapy treats musculoskeletal issues and cardio-respiratory and neurological conditions. Physiotherapists may use functional tests for diagnosis and often assign home exercises.
Both fields can complement each other, and it’s increasingly common to find multidisciplinary clinics offering both services for comprehensive care.
How chiropractic care differs from osteopathy
Chiropractic care and osteopathy both aim to treat musculoskeletal issues but differ in approach, techniques, and focus.
Chiropractors concentrate on spinal adjustments to improve alignment and ease nervous system pressure, often using diagnostic tools like X-rays.
Osteopaths’ range of techniques includes stretching and manipulative exercises to support the body as a whole.
