Frequently Asked Questions in Porirua NZ

At your first visit we understand that everyone has a different body, and no two people are exactly the same. That's why we start by finding out.

• Why you have come to Chiropractic Balance
• What your body has been through in the past
• What's happening now
• What results you are wanting

If we think we can help, the next step is a thorough examination including:

• Testing your body's structural balance, posture, and range of movement
• Palpation of your spine, skull, and body for symmetry and location of sensitivity
• Muscle function and neurology

If we find there is something that they can help with (and it is safe to treat), we usually do your first treatment (adjustment) that day. The whole visit takes 45-50 minutes.

Based on your history and your results, your Chiropractor will briefly discuss an appropriate treatment plan to get you the results you are looking for. The Chiropractor will usually recommend a follow-up visit to see how you responded to your adjustment as well as confirm a treatment plan. Your plan often is a combination of chiropractic care together with specific exercises and suggested lifestyle modifications.

If we need further tests or evaluation for your case, we can refer you directly for an X-ray, we can refer you to another health professional or we can refer you to a GP. We don't want to waste your time or your money.

A subluxation is an improper motion or position of the bones of the spine (vertebrae) which interfere with the nerve impulses between the brain and the body. The delicate nerves exiting the spine can be irritated, stretched, and sometimes compressed or pinched. Even with this nerve irritation, most subluxations exist without obvious pain or discomfort(1).

References
(1)Chiropractic.org.nz. 2020. Vertebral Subluxation » New Zealand Chiropractors' Association. [online] Available at: <https://www.chiropractic.org.nz/about-chiropractic/vertebral-subluxation> [Accessed 15 April 2020].

An adjustment is a very specific input to your spine to help your body correct a subluxation. There are many ways to "adjust" the spine. Some methods use the doctor's hands, an instrument, a special table, or work with your breathing pattern. Adjustments are "remarkably safe" according to the New Zealand Government's landmark "Commission of Inquiry into Chiropractic". In fact, chiropractic care is safer than having back surgery, driving your car, or taking an aspirin.

The results from chiropractic are different for every person. Chiropractic does not treat any ailment, it aims to restore structure and function to the neuromusculoskeletal system. Benefits that many people notice include:

• Greater energy and vitality
• Better concentration
• Greater emotional well-being
• Improved sleep
• Decreased muscle tension
• Higher productivity and performance
• Improved posture
• Greater ability to cope with stress
• Greater flexibility, strength, and muscle coordination
• Reduced spinal degeneration or 'wear & tear'

An improvement may even be noticed in conditions such as:

• Irritable bowel
• Asthma & allergies
• Gastroesophageal reflux
• Colic
• Ear infections
• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• Scoliosis
• Sinusitis
• Headaches/Migraines
• Numbness/ TinglingNeck pain/ Whiplash
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Back pain
• ADHD or autism
• Low back pain

Many people fear seeing a Chiropractor because they are concerned that it might injure their back or break their neck.

The intent of a Chiropractic adjustment is to restore balance to the nerves, joints, and muscles. A very effective and popular technique that Chiropractors use to achieve this is a manual specific manipulation to a joint that is out of balance.

Our Chiropractors have done five years of training to master the adjustment. Our patients report that the procedure looks and sounds uncomfortable and unusual, however, it does not hurt. Specific manipulations are very safe, simple, and gentle.

The "popping" noise (or "click") that you hear sometimes when a Chiropractor performs an adjustment is due to gas, which is about 80% carbon dioxide, escaping from the stiff joint the Chiropractor has just opened, kind of like what happens when you open a can of soft drink.

There are many other Chiropractic techniques that do not involve any manipulation and are also very effective to restore balance to your body. If you have concerns about any chiropractic technique please let the Chiropractor know and they will modify their approach for you.

As Primary Health Care professionals Chiropractors are covered by ACC. If you have had an accident and it has caused a joint or muscle injury you will most likely be covered.

You do not need to be referred or see your GP first after the Chiropractor has examined you and determined the injury, they can lodge an ACC Claim and your treatment cost will be partially covered by ACC.

If you have already seen a GP or other health professional and have an ACC Claim already, you can usually use this for Chiropractic treatment of the injury within one year of the original incident.

Please phone or email us if you wish to discuss your particular case before booking your appointment.

Most people notice immediate changes, the amount of change varies between individuals. If it is a recent health concern, the results are usually faster than long-term (chronic) health concerns. Pain relief often occurs before the underlying problem (spinal imbalance) is resolved. That's why our Chiropractors will always ask how you feel, then combine this with their analysis of your function. Your Chiropractor will give you an idea of a time frame to reach the results you want once they have examined you.

Occasionally the treatment can be uncomfortable as some people are in a lot of pain and we need to push through the 'discomfort' in order to feel better later. To reduce this 'discomfort' our Chiropractors' have also done post-graduate study in more gentle techniques such as SOT and Activator that are often used for babies and people in significant pain. Please let your Chiropractor know if you are finding the treatment is uncomfortable and they can often modify the approach.

Many of our patients have not even taken their first steps, and you may be thinking how can they need Chiropractic care? Often the first cause of imbalance in the spine and skull is the birth process. If the spine or skull is out of balance it can irritate the nerves and lead to restricted head movement in one direction, colic, ear-aches, difficulty latching or feeding, unsettled, constipation, and more. We encourage all parents to get their child checked and Dr. Roz regularly checks her own children.

The techniques used to adjust a baby do not include manipulation. Generally, the amount of pressure required to correct the imbalance is as much as you would place on your closed eye. The majority of parents report that their baby is very relaxed and often sleeps very well after their adjustment!

Our Chiropractors have done post-graduate studies to be able to give babies the best care possible.

Our main technique is the Sacro-Occipital Technique (SOT): a specialized, comprehensive, gentle, and innovative technique of Chiropractic founded in 1925 by Dr. De Jarnette. It is named SOT because it focuses on the relationship between the base of the spine (sacrum) and skull (occiput), and the spine that connects them. It looks at the body as a whole and addresses all imbalances, not just where the symptoms are. SOT also utilises cranial work and organ reflexes. Click here for more information.

We also utilise diversified, Thompson, activator, logan basic, and applied kinesiology. If you have a particular technique that works well for your body, please let your Chiropractor know.

No, once your symptoms are gone you may choose to stop. However many people find that the cause of their symptoms is their lifestyle: sitting, stress, and repetitive activities (eg. lifting, golf). Many people find that their regular Chiropractic adjustment helps keep up 'spinal fitness' (just like going to the gym keeps up body fitness and routine dental check-ups keep the teeth healthy) and then they are able to keep them doing the things they love for longer. How often you want to be adjusted is up to you.