How long will my chiropractic treatment take?

Your initial consultation will normally last for approximately 1 hour and includes a consultation, a discussion of findings and a treatment. Follow up treatments are approximately 20-30 minutes. Treatment times can vary depending on the needs of the patient which may vary at each appointment .

Will treatment hurt?

Our technique is a gentle one, treatment should not be painful. Every patient responds differently to treatment and our chiropractors tailor treatment to the needs of individual patients.

How often will I need to visit?

Your chiropractor will advise you of this during your first visit as it varies for each patient and depends on how long you have had pain, the location of your pain, your daily activities and so on.

Do I need a GP referral and will my private health insurance cover my treatment costs?

You do not need a GP referral to book in with us. Our chiropractors are registered with most health insurance companies. Please check with your insurance company to see if your policy covers chiropractic care.

Will I receive a treatment on my first visit?

The chiropractor will carry out a full assessment and take your medical history. Typically, unless we have concerns, treatment takes place on the first visit.

Should I go to a chiropractor?

We would say YES! Chiropractic is a healthcare discipline firmly grounded in science. Grant and Penny have undergone extensive and lengthy training in order to qualify as primary healthcare providers. All activity is regulated by the General Chiropractic Council and practitioners are required to adhere to its code of practice and standard of proficiency, as well as undergoing annual continuing professional development.

The word "chiropractic" comes from the Greek words cheir (hand) and praxis (action), and simply means "done by hand."

Chiropractic focuses on restoring, preserving, and optimising health through non-invasive, natural hands-on care, in other words without the use of drugs or surgery. Chiropractors specialise in the treatment of the neuro-musculoskeletal system (meaning the nervous system, joints and muscles). Most commonly patients seek help with back and neck pain, but the whole system works better with a properly functioning nervous system.

Your nervous system is largely housed by your spine and skull, so these areas are where we typically focus much of our efforts, assessing where poor functioning joints, cranial bones, muscles and nerves result in pain and mobility problems as well as general poor health. Typically chiropractic treatment involves a blend of skilful realignment, coupled with lifestyle and exercise advice.

What is acupuncture and how does it help?

Western medical acupuncture is a therapeutic modality involving the insertion of fine needles; it is an adaptation of Chinese acupuncture using current knowledge of anatomy, physiology and pathology, and the principles of evidence based medicine. Acupuncture treatment involves fine needles being inserted through the skin and briefly left in position. Sometimes manual or low voltage electrical stimulation is applied to assist the process. The number of needles varies but may be only two or three. The practitioner will assess each patient’s case and treatment will be tailored to the individual; so it is impossible to give more than this general idea of what your particular treatment might involve. Acupuncture stimulates the nerves in skin and muscle, and can produce a variety of effects. We know that it increases the body's release of natural painkillers - endorphin and serotonin - in the pain pathways of both the spinal cord and the brain. This modifies the way pain signals are received.

How many treatments might I need?

Treatment might be once a week to begin with, then at longer intervals as the condition responds. A typical course of treatment lasts 5 to 8 sessions. With patient consent, acupuncture treatment can be combined with your chiropractic treatment.

Does Acupuncture hurt?

Sometimes you are aware of the very fine needles as they are inserted, sometimes not. You are generally aware of an ache around the needle placement once it is in place. We find that acupuncture is well tolerated and even enjoyed by many of our patients, they especially enjoy the reduction in pain and muscle spasm afterwards!