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CHIROPRACTIC CARE
Chiropractic is a type of medical care that focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of mechanical disorders of the neuro -musculoskeletal system. Chiropractic care pays particular attention to the spine & extremities, such as shoulders, knees and feet. Chiropractic care is widely recognised as a safe, effective treatment for both athletes and general sports enthusiasts, people of all ages and of all levels of wellness.
Evidence based research from the last 10 years has indicated that it is one of the most cost effective solutions for acute back pain, disc and back sprain type injuries. In the sport arena ( Top Athletes Chiropractic Care), almost all top sports performers , have chiropractor care on a weekly basis. They understand that if the nervous information is not effectively been transmitted from the brain to the arms and legs via the spine, power and accuracy are lost, and the athlete is at risk of injury, and performance is diminished. Chiropractors can quickly diagnose dysfunction & injury, apply treatment, or send for x-rays and other investigations to get the client on track fast. Direct referral to specialists like orthopaedic surgeons or neurologist for further studies is simple and straightforward. You don't need to see a GP to do this now. Did you know that chiropractors are better trained to diagnose musculo-skeletal (MSK) injuries than GPs . GPs have had minimal training in the area of the spine and musculo-skeletal problems. Which makes sense as their focus is organ issues. Chiropractors like orthopaedic specialists, spend 5 years and more in university studying, with their sole medical focus on muscle, joint and nerve problems. Sports chiropractors go on to do further training in relation to this specialised area of MSK medicine. Pathology the study of disease is studied for more than two years by chiropractors just like doctors, so they can be sure that they are able to diagnose other illnesses which may present as a MSK issue, e.g back pain from non-muscle joint origin like cancer, infection or heart dysfunction. This means you are in safe hands. If there is something more involved going on , your chiropractor know when to refer you on for further investigations like MRIs or CT scans, and when to discuss your case with other medics, for best outcomes. In order to be a chiropractor you must be registered with the New Zealand Chiropractic Board, which is controlled by the governement's Ministry of Health (MOH). The MOH sets out guidelines and rules for all Primary Medical Practitioners, Chiropractic is one of these, just like your GP or your Dentist. |
Chiropractic Techniques In a Nut Shell
Modern Chiropractic Techniques Vary & When delivered by an expert are gentle and very specific.
Not all chiropractors use the same techniques, and some like Dr. Hall use several to suit the person and the specific case. Not all chiropractic involves "Cracking", although it is safe and effective, if its not for you do not despair, we can offer other super effective techniques. Take a look at the list below and talk to us when you come. 6 Techniques Briefly Explained 1. Manual Manipulation Of The Spine And Extremities If you’re not familiar with manual chiropractic adjustments, one of the first things you should know is that this treatment technique can be applied to areas outside of the spine. Your chiropractor will undoubtedly focus on improving the alignment of your spinal vertebrae to maximize physical functioning, especially if you suffer from any degree of back, Pelvic or neck pain. But vertebrae aren’t the only joints that become fixed and inflammed. Depending on the results of your initial evaluation and your ongoing physical condition, other joints that your chiropractor may also manipulate include: ● Shoulders ● Ankles & Feet ● Knees ● Hips ● Wrists & Hands By aligning the joints in your extremities, your chiropractor helps reduce stress on your spinal vertebrae and surrounding tissues. Ultimately, both manual extremity manipulation and spinal manipulation promote greater mobility, improved nerve functionality, and a healthier, more efficient internal system overall. 2. Thompson Drop Technique his technique is an adjusting technique that uses something called a drop table coupled with manual force from the chiropractor to provide high-velocity, low-amplitude full-spine adjustments. When the doctor uses a drop table, they can use less manual force to apply the adjustment, which not only makes the treatment easier and gentle on the patient 3. Activator & Impulse IQ Instrument Technique Aside from manual chiropractic adjustments, activator and Impulse IQ techniques are some of the most common therapeutic tools that chiropractors employ. This technique involves a small, handheld instrument called an IQ or activator. The instrument delivers a highly controlled, low-force yet high-speed impact at specific treatment points. Which moves the joint, sending a message to the brain through the nervous system, this causes the brain to reset the tension at the invovled or painful segment Due to the speed and gentle nature of the impulse delivered by an activator, muscles are less likely to tense in response to the adjustment. Minimizing muscle reactivity and resistance can help improve the efficacy of the treatment. Furthermore, because this type of adjustment is highly localized it doesn’t put joints in potentially compromising positions like twisting or bending. Many patients who require gentler adjustments — such as pregnant women and those with arthritis or osteoporosis — can benefit from activator treatments. These Instruments are superb for working with the extremities and their is a whole set of special techniques that bring back range of motion in places like shoulders and elbows fast, with little discomfort in the process. 4. Sacro-Occiptial Technique (SOT) Sacro-Occipital Technique SOT is a comprehensive, gentle and innovative Chiropractic technique. It is so named because of the relationship between the Sacrum (base of the spine) and the Occiput (base of the skull). This relationship has a profound impact on the neuromusculo- skeletal system. It identifies and treats bio-mechanical and organ dysfunction. SOT was founded in 1925 by Dr DeJarnette and since then has continued to be studied and research all around the world. 5. Active Release and Specific Soft Tissue Techniques
Also referred to as Active Release Technique (ART), movement-based massage is designed to improve mobility and address soft tissue tension and pain. The treatment functions to release ligaments, tendons, muscles, and fascia that have stopped functioning properly due to injuries, overuse, and scar tissue. During this form of manual therapy, your chiropractor applies precise pressure to areas suffering from excessive tension or painful adhesions. This pressure is combined with specific patient movements that shorten and elongate the tissues in the treatment site. Together, the pressure and specific movements facilitate soft tissue release. Depending on your needs, ART can be highly effective in the treatment of: ● Strains and sprains ● Tennis or golf elbow ● Carpal tunnel ● Neck and back pain (including sciatica) ● Shoulder pain ● Foot pain ● Joint pain |