What Is Chiropractic care?
Chiropractic Discussed
The term chiropractic refers to a health profession focused on diagnosing, treating, and mechanical disorders of the musculoskeletal system, as well as their impact on the nervous system and overall health.
It emphasises manual therapies including spinal adjustments and manipulation of joints and soft tissues. spinal adjustment is a prevalent technique used by chiropractors to address joint issues throughout the body.
This procedure entails the chiropractor delivering thrusts of speeds and forces to spinal joints that exhibit dysfunction and associated pain.
Chiropractic adjustments a specific type of spinal manipulation rooted in ancient practices aimed at restoring the spine's structural.
While the adjustment may produce a popping sound, often perceived as painful, many describe it as providing immediate relief from discomfort.
How will I know if Chiropractic will help?
Evidence-Based Chiropractic Techniques
Every spine is unique, which is why our chiropractors customise their treatment protocols to match your comfort level, age, and physical condition. We utilise a diverse range of proven clinical techniques across our Sunbury and Melton clinics, including:
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Diversified Technique: The classic, manual adjustment method used to restore healthy movement and alignment to stiff or locked spinal joints. We use this technique to adjust the spine and extremity joints like your shoulder and knees.
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Activator Methods: A gentle, spring-loaded instrument adjusting technique—ideal for children, seniors, or patients preferring treatment without manual manipulation. - We often use it also for smaller joints like ribs that can be uncomfortable to adjust manually
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Drop-Table Technique: Utilises specialised, sectioned treatment tables to gently reduce joint restriction using gravity and low-force momentum. We can use this table along the whole spine and combine it with our diversified technique.
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Soft-Tissue Therapy & Muscle Hygiene: Integrating targeted trigger point therapy, dry needling, or cupping alongside adjustments to relieve chronic muscle tension. We have sessions ranging from 30 minutes to 120 minutes.
How Spinal Alignment Impacts Your Nervous System & Daily Comfort
How Bad Backs Affect Your Day To Day Tasks
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Your spine is the physical armour protecting your nervous system—the master control network regulating everything from your muscle movements to your breathing. When spinal joints become restricted or misaligned (known clinically as a subluxation), they can cause localised nerve irritation.
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This structural interference frequently manifests as everyday symptoms like:
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Persistent tension headaches and localised neck pain.
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Sharp, shooting pain down the leg (sciatica).
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Numbness, tingling, or a 'pins and needles' sensation in the arms, hands, or feet.
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Chronic lower back stiffness that restricts your ability to bend or twist freely.
Our 3-Step Diagnostic & Treatment Roadmap
We Take The Time To Get To Know YOU
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To ensure your care is completely safe, effective, and tailored to your body, your journey at Health Wise Chiropractic follows a structured clinical process:
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1st step - Comprehensive Examination: We begin with a detailed health history, full posture analysis, orthopedic testing, and a neurological screening to pinpoint the root cause of your discomfort. We want to try to understand why you walked into our office; it's rarely one bad night's sleep or putting a dish away. There are usually years of minor traumas on the body that eventually lead to pain and limited motion
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2nd step- Clear Report of Findings: Your chiropractor sits down with you to explain your exam results and discuss whether chiropractic care is appropriate for you.
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3rd step- Tailored Treatment & Muscle Relief: Once a pathway is agreed upon, we begin your gentle care plan, combining precise joint alignment with targeted muscle therapy to maximise your recovery. We will send you an email with details about your diagnosis, what treatment plan will suit your needs and what rehab exercises you need.
What to Expect
Your common questions ... answered!
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What happens during a chiropractic initial consult?
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Visit 1: Comprehensive exam, posture screening, and your first adjustment (often for a promotional price of ~$89).
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Visit 2: "Report of Findings" where we review your posture scan.
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Visit 3: We provide a custom treatment plan and home exercises.
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What actually happens when you get adjusted?
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A specific, gentle force is applied to a "stuck" joint to restore motion. This removes "subluxations" (misalignments) that interfere with your nervous system.
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Once we retrain the body, the spine will be stronger, be less clicky , and the muscles will be in alignment and have less pain.
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Why do chiropractors "crack" your back?
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The sound is called cavitation. It is just gas bubbles (nitrogen/CO2) being released from the joint capsule. It is harmless and often feels like a relief.
The spine itself is not where the sound is coming from , nor does the spine crach . What you hear and feel is the space between the vertebra and the disc between the vertebra re aligning
Chiropractic Health Advice
When is it best to not see a Chiropractor?
Sometimes we don't know when to see a Chiropractor or should I go to Hospital or a G.P Clinic
Some warning signs that a you shouldn't see a Chiropractor are
1. Medical Conditions:
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Cardiovascular Issues: Unstable angina, uncontrolled arrhythmias, heart failure, acute myocardial infarction, and dissecting aneurysm.
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Neurological Conditions: Acute change in neurological status, evolving neurological events (e.g., stroke, hemorrhage), and certain movement disorders.
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Infections: Acute systemic infections with fever, and certain skin conditions.
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Other Medical Conditions: Unstable diabetes, certain bone diseases (e.g., tumors, metastases, fractures), and conditions requiring medical stabilisation.
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Recently Fainting and undiagnosed origin
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Recent unexplained weight loss
2. Acute Injuries:
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Recent Operations or Acute Injuries: Avoidance of physical therapy interventions in the immediate post-operative or acute injury period until the patient has stabilised. It is best to ask the surgeon when it is appropriate to get Chiropractic care
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Unstable Fractures: Avoidance of interventions that could further compromise the fracture or cause pain.
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Open Wounds or Burns: Avoid interventions over open wounds or areas with fresh burns.
Signs your Chiropractor may have to alter your treatment Plan
- Pregnancy - At Health Wise Chiropractic we have specific pregnancy pillows to lay on to help you get Chiropractic care
- Smoker on birth control pills- The Chiropractor will do specific examinations as these two things combined have an increased risk of clotting
- Certain Medications
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Blood Thinners:
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Anticoagulants: Warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven), dabigatran (Pradaxa), rivaroxaban (Xarelto), apixaban (Eliquis), edoxaban (Savaysa), and heparin.
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Antiplatelet Agents: Aspirin, clopidogrel (Plavix), prasugrel (Effient), and ticagrelor (Brilinta).
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Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs): Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB), naproxen sodium (Aleve).
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Steroids: Prednisone and other corticosteroids can thin the skin, making it easier to bruise.
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Some Antibiotics and Antidepressants: Certain antibiotics and antidepressants can also affect blood clotting.
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Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy can reduce platelet levels, leading to easy bruising.
- Pacemakers and Medical devices , certain devices may lead the chiropractor to alter their technique they use to treat you