What is Chiropractic?
CHIROPRACTIC
Chiropractic is a hands-on approach to healthcare that focuses on the relationship between the spine, joints, muscles and nervous system to help improve movement, reduce discomfort and support your overall wellbeing. Chiropractic care isn’t one-size-fits-all. At Lifetime Chiropractic, we take the time to understand you, your symptoms, your lifestyle and what you want to achieve from treatment. Rather than relying on spinal adjustments alone, we use a personalised combination of treatments to address the factors contributing to your discomfort. Depending on your individual needs, this may include hands-on soft tissue therapy, chiropractic adjustments, rehabilitation and strengthening exercises, as well as practical advice around lifestyle and healthy habits.
Our goal is to help you feel better, move more freely and build the strength and confidence to stay active and well. We want your treatment to be more than a quick fix — we aim to give you the knowledge and tools to take an active role in your long-term health.
At Lifetime Chiropractic, we’re here to support you on your journey towards a healthier, more active life — for the long term.
WHAT DO WE TREAT?
You could benefit from chiropractic care if you recently or previously suffered from any of the following;
- neck or back pain,
- sciatica,
- disc herniation/injury
- hip/shoulder injury
- scoliosis,
- sporting injuries,
- headaches,
- whiplash injuries,
- joint sprains/muscle strains,
- postural dysfunction,
- repetitive strain injuries (RSI),
- restricted joint movement.
Not sure whether you would benefit from chiropractic care?
Feel free to get in contact with one of our friendly team members and they will be happy to answer any further questions!
CHIROPRACTIC TECHNIQUE
There are over 100 types of spinal/joint adjustments used by chiropractors worldwide. Some use a controlled, quick force - adjustment/manipulation. While others techniques are more gentle - mobilisation. They both help to increase joint movement and decrease pain and pressure around the joint.
Adjustment
Spinal and joint adjustement involves applying a controlled, precise force to a specific joint using the hands. You may sometimes hear a popping or cracking sound during the treatment, similar to cracking your knuckles. This sound is known as a cavitation and occurs when changes in pressure within the joint cause gases in the surrounding joint fluid to form and rapidly shift.
Mobilisation
Spinal and joint mobilisation uses gentler, controlled movements to help improve joint movement and flexibility. Rather than a quick thrust, mobilisation involves slower movements, gentle pressure and stretching of the joint.
Mobilisation can be a great option for people who prefer a gentler approach to care, and your chiropractor can tailor the technique to suit your comfort level and individual needs.
SOFT TISSUE THERAPY
Soft tissue therapy is a general term used in reference to techniques/modalities applied to treat parts of the muscular system. The muscular system includes muscles, ligaments, tendons and connective tissue. Some commonly used soft tissue therapies are:
- Deep tissue massage
- Trigger point therapy
- Active Release Therapy (ART)
- Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilisation (IASTM)
- Heat Therapy
- Assisted Stretching
At Lifetime Chiropractic, we believe your muscles and joints work together as part of one connected musculoskeletal system. That’s why we incorporate soft tissue therapy alongside chiropractic care where appropriate. By addressing both the muscles and joints, we take a more comprehensive approach to your care, helping to improve movement, reduce tension and support your overall recovery.
STRENGTH AND REHABILITATION
Once your injury has healed and is back to normal function, it is important to carry out the appropriate rehabilitation program in order to restore adequate strength and fitness to the affected area.
It is also the best way to try and prevent new episodes from re-developing in the future. Your Chiropractor will explain your personal plan in detail during your treatment process, as each patients rehabilitation will differ depending on injury, goals and physical ability.
X-RAY AND IMAGING
Chiropractors often use forms of imaging to help diagnose problems. It is not always essential to undergo diagnostic imaging (such as x-rays, MRI, ultrasound) in order to treat an injury. Sometimes further imaging is needed to understand the extent of the injury. Your chiropractor is trained to determine whether you will need any extra imaging during your initial consultation or throughout any stage of your treatment. If you have any further questions regarding diagnostic imaging, feel free to contact our staff prior to your consultation.