Chiropractic works by identifying and correcting the underlying source of your health problem. Chiropractic care is based on the fact that the body is a self-healing entity. However, sometimes it needs a bit of help. Your Doctor of Chiropractic will offer your body that helping hand, thus allowing it to heal itself and providing a long-term solution.

People of all ages can be treated with chiropractic. There are many different chiropractic techniques and your chiropractor will choose the one most appropriate for you and your condition. In most cases the treatment combines chiropractic manipulation with other techniques. These might include soft tissue therapy (such as massage and trigger point therapy), heat or cold therapy, stretching, post-isometric relaxation, core stability exercises, therapeutic ultrasound or flexion-distraction. Many conditions can be treated, even after surgery. If yours is not a chiropractic case, you will be referred to appropriate specialist.

A wide range of conditions can benefit from chiropractic care. See below for some common conditions. If your specific health concern is not listed, call our clinic and speak to a qualified Doctor of Chiropractic.

Back pain
Buttock, leg and foot pain
Slipped disc
Pinched nerves
Neck pain
Shoulder arm and hand pain
Headaches, migraine and dizziness
Weakness, numbness, pins and needles
Muscle tension
"Wear and tear", arthritic pain, joint pain
Sports injuries

Back pain  
Almost everybody suffers with back pain at one time or another. Back pain may vary from slight niggling ache to sharp debilitating pain that can affect every part of the back and also radiate to other areas of the body. Some causes of back pain include bad posture, poor seating, unsupportive beds and pillows, incorrect lifting, sedentary lifestyle, stress (both physical and mental), trauma, sports injuries, pregnancy, "wear and tear" -and so on. Your chiropractor will look for the source of your problem, treat the cause of pain and advise how to best keep it from recurring.

Buttock, leg and foot pain  
Leg pain doesn't always mean there is something wrong with the leg itself. Because of the way our nervous system functions, you may, for example, have pain in your foot when the problem actually lies in your lower back or in the buttock muscles. Your chiropractor will be able to identify whether the source of your problem is where you feel the pain (such as that with arthritic pain), or if it is radiating from another part of your body, and then treat you accordingly.

Slipped disc  
The intervertebral discs are the shock absorbers of the spine. On the outside they are layer upon layer of very tough fibrous material, while the inside remains more gel-like. Technically, discs cannot slip, because of the way they are attached to the vertebra above and below. However, they can bulge, herniate, collapse and even rupture. The physical changes of the disc can cause abnormal function of the joint resulting in local pain. The bulging disc can compress on the spinal cord or nerve roots and produce pain in an area distant from the site of the problem. Sciatic pain in the leg is a good example. Many patients have found remarkable improvement in their symptoms allowing them to return to normal daily activities without painkillers and without surgery.

Pinched nerves  
True pinched nerves are relatively rare. What is more common is the irritation a nerve by the abnormal function or loading of the spinal vertebrae, tighness of the surrounding muscles or disc problems. Irritation and compression can result in pain, muscle weakness, pins and needles, numbness, burning sensation or any combination of these symptoms. Once the location of nerve irritation has been identified, your chiropractor can then get on with the job of getting you out of pain and on the road to recovery.

Neck pain  
Today's modern lifestyle often causes problems in the neck and shoulder area. Poor work ergonomics, repetitive tasks, stress and not using the full range of motion of the spine can all cause pain, discomfort and muscle tension in the neck, at the base of the skull and over the top of the shoulders. These problems can be associated with frequent headaches. Accidents, injuries and poor posture can further increase the stress and strain in the neck area. The body has a remarkable capacity heal and to compensate for stress and injuries. However, should you start to experience neck pain, speak to your chiropractor to find out how you can best get out of pain and stay that way.

Shoulder arm and hand pain  
As with leg pain, for arm pain the first and most important thing to do is to determine what is causing it. Your chiropractor has been trained to accurately diagnose the problem and treat accordingly. Whether the pain is arising from frozen shoulder, tennis elbow, repetitive strain injury or radiating from dysfunction in the neck, your chiropractor will explain to you the best course of action.

Headaches, migraine and dizziness  
Headaches are very common. Because they are so common, most people think it is normal to have headaches. It is not! Painkillers might give some relief from your headaches, but they do not address the cause of the problem. Headaches are often associated with our hectic lifestyle and stress. Migraines can be very debilitating and disturbing. Sometimes there is no headache to speak of, but symptoms may include visual and hearing disturbances, sensitivity to light and sound, nausea, even vomiting. Dizzy spells can occur as part of migraine symptoms, with headaches or on their own with no other associated symptoms. After your chiropractor has carefully diagnosed your condition, he can then give you recommendations for care. If yours is not a chiropractic case, you will be referred to the appropriate health care provider.

Weakness, numbness, pins and needles  
When a nerve is being irritated, or compressed, then the normal flow of nerve impulses will be compromised. This can result in muscular weakness, pins and needles, burning sensation or numbness of the skin. The spinal nerves supply specific muscles, reflexes and areas of the skin. Your chiropractor can use this information to help pinpoint the exact origin of your symptoms and then put together a treatment plan to address your individual needs.

Muscle tension  
Muscle tension is very common these days and it can vary from slight sense of tightness to agonising pain. If muscle tension is anything but transient, it can gradually start to affect the joints that those muscles control. This may result in abnormal functioning of the joint or misalignment of the bone. When the normal function of the joints is restored, soft tissues can relax, as they can once again contract and relax normally. In most cases spinal manipulative therapy together with specific stretches and exercises give excellent results and can prevent problems from recurring.

"Wear and tear", arthritic pain and joint pain  
People often talk about wear and tear of the joints. This can also be called arthritis, osteoarthritis, spondylosis, degeneration, spinal decay or degenerative joint disease. There are many forms of arthritis and it can affect people of all ages. The most common form is osteoarthritis. This means that there are irreversible degenerative changes in the joints. While chiropractic cannot reverse these changes, it can promote healthier joints and soft tissues by improving their function and mobility, thus decreasing pain and discomfort.

Sports injuries  
Sports injuries may arise when an increased functional demand is applied to a joint or body part that is not functioning properly in the first place. These might include spinal or pelvic misalignment, muscle imbalance and poor posture to mention but a few. Examples of sports injuries are: Pulled muscles, Tennis elbow and Repetitive Strain Injuries. Chiropractic may help you recover quicker, with less pain and with minimal resultant dysfunction. Many sportsmen simply wish to maintain their good health with regular chiropractic treatments whilst some athletes have experienced a significant improvement in their sport performance through chiropractic care.