Chiropractic: What does a Chiropractor do?

Chiropractic is a manual therapy focusing on the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mechanical disorders of the musculoskeletal system (bones, muscles and joints). Chiropractors also look at how disorders affect the nervous system. They specialise in mechanical dysfunction but also examine the emotional, physical and dietary components of optimal health.

The body constantly tries to maintain and restore balance. This is considered the body’s innate intelligence and governs every cell and reaction in the body. If the structure of the body is impaired by injury or stress, the function of the body is impaired. This misalignment can cause irritation to the nerves that supply the surrounding tissues and results in improper functioning.

Chiropractic is a manual therapy focusing on the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mechanical disorders of the musculoskeletal system

Chiropractors aim to correct joint dysfunction in order to get rid of pain, restore normal nerve flow and allow proper function to be restored.

Symptoms

Headaches and migraines are two of the most common conditions that chiropractors treat.

Even if you have unexplainable symptoms, a chiropractor can help navigate your health history and thoroughly examine you to find the source of your pain. Chiropractic treatments should focus on more than just surface symptoms. They should get to the root cause. We do this through a detailed process of inquiry asking our patient's specific questions about their presenting condition, past medical history, family history, any previous injuries, trauma, operations and accidents. Even childhood accidents can have an impact later in life.

We also consider diet, sleep, external stressors important factors to consider as well as the function of your organs like your bowel, bladder and reproductive system.

Throughout your treatment, we explain what we're finding and how we're treating. We also provide you with a detailed management plan sent through after your treatment so that you understand why and how long treatment may take to achieve results

New Zealand Chiropractors are registered professionals. This means that not just anyone can call themselves a chiropractor. If you're unsure of your chiropractor search the New Zealand Chiropractic Board.

The Benefits of Chiropractic Care

Chiropractors perform full case history research and examination before treatment. This helps them get a better picture of your overall health, function and well-being. They use a variety of techniques to reduce pain and improve mobility. These techniques include mobilisations, adjustments, trigger point therapy, fascial release therapy, massage and acupuncture.

The “popping” or “cracking” sound associated with chiropractic treatment is due to a technique called high-velocity low-amplitude manipulation. Nothing actually cracks and bones don't crunch. The sound is gas releasing from the joint. You can opt not to have this technique applied if you're not comfortable. But it is an incredibly effective and quick technique to create more space in the joint, change muscle tone and improve range of motion.

When this manipulation technique is done properly it shouldn't feel scary or painful.

We ‘crack' joints to get them moving and to carefully identify which joints and in what direction they need to be manipulated. Over time if the correct joints are released and you grasp the stability exercises, the desire to crack your own back or joints will fade.

Conditions That Benefit from Chiropractic Treatments Include

• Headaches
• Back pain
• Neck pain
• Knee pain
• Elbow pain
• Shoulder injuries
• Hip pain
• Arthritic pain
• Joint pains

When to visit your local Chiropractor

Pain doesn’t always occur as soon as there is malalignment or dysfunction. Pain can often result after weeks or months of an issue being present. Make sure to see a chiropractor regularly for wellness checks. Don’t wait until you experience pain. When you feel pain in your muscles, joints or ligaments, visit a chiropractor.

Osteopath vs Chiropractor

Many people wonder what the difference is between an Osteopath and Chiropractor. The differences between the two types of complementary medicine come down to the historical philosophy of treatment.

Chiropractors traditionally believe that all pain stems from the nervous system. By making adjustments to the spinal joints where nerves exit chiropractors can influence change in the rest of the body.

Osteopaths take a whole-body approach. An Osteopath looks at your knee, hip, lower back and all the way up to your neck to check for compensation patterns happening throughout your body. Chiropractors are known for being able to ‘crack’ or manipulate joints. But Osteopaths can crack joints too.

At MetaMed we’re all about the practitioners and not about titles. Our therapists, whether  Chiropractor or Osteopath, are experienced in cracking and manipulating joints. They look at the whole body and integrate a variety of therapies into the prescribed treatment: massage, cupping, acupuncture, exercise rehabilitation, advice on natural remedies, lifestyle and diet.

How Our Chiropractor Auria Treats Patients at MetaMed

Auria is a musculoskeletal specialist and her main focus is on biomechanical dysfunction in the body.
Her main areas of expertise and passion include the treatment, taping, and rehabilitation of sports injuries, prenatal chiropractic care.

Auria is also trained in holistic therapies and massage. She also implements soft tissue techniques that assist aid the recovery of physiological and mechanical disorders of the musculoskeletal system.

She especially enjoys the treatment of cranial issues including Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) and Sinus problems and has seen incredible results. Results include the resolution of headaches, dizziness and blocked ears and sinuses.

Auria also takes a keen interest in how stress affects the physical aspects of health and how, as a chiropractor, she is able to help manage the physical manifestations of emotional issues.

Sympathetic dominance occurs when there is prolonged emotional stress. The body goes into ‘fight or flight’ mode causing a cascade of reactions within the body. In the short term, this is normal but in the long term, it can cause a series of health concerns including gut-related issues, muscle tensions, skin issues and more. Auria helps identify these issues and she uses an integrative approach to manage stress-related issues.

Frequently Asked Questions