Chiropractic is a safe, natural, drug-free, and effective method of health care. It is the third largest primary health care profession in the western world, next to medicine and dentistry, and it is one of the fastest growing.
Chiropractic focuses on the relationship between your spine and nervous system (the brain, spinal cord, and nerves exiting the spine) and how that relationship affects the restoration and preservation of health and well-being.
There are more answers to common questions about chiropractic on the NZ Chiropractors’ Association website.
Information from the NZ Chiropractors’ Association
Everybody. A healthy spine and nervous system, working at its very best, can help anyone at any time in their life; regardless of age, condition, presence or absence of disease, or obvious symptoms.
Information from the NZ Chiropractors’ Association
- Many people are looking for a more natural approach to their healthcare
- Millions of people have enjoyed wonderful results from chiropractic care
- Chiropractic uses no drugs or surgery and is extremely safe
- Published research is now explaining the results that chiropractic patients have experienced over the last 100 years
- Chiropractic is a highly cost-effective health strategy for both patients and third-party payers
- Today’s chiropractors are highly-qualified professionals who are committed to helping babies, children and adults achieve improved health and function
Information from the NZ Chiropractors’ Association
A chiropractic assistant (CA) will take your phone call. She will talk with you about what is going on for you that prompted your call and will arrange an appropriate time for your visit. She will also talk with you to decide which chiropractor may best meet your needs – if you haven’t already made a choice about this. The CA will also discuss the Health History questionnaire that you will need to complete prior to seeing the chiropractor. You may be able to have a link to an online form emailed to you, or arrange to come in earlier to complete it here.
It is useful to bring any xrays, xray reports or similar as well as any ACC details you have if you are seeing the chiropractor about an injury.
When you arrive for your first appointment we ask that you complete a questionnaire detailing your full health history – if you haven’t already completed this after having had it emailed to you.
You will then have a consultation with your chiropractor which includes a comprehensive physical examination of the function of your spine and nervous system. Where necessary, spinal x-rays may be taken, for which gowns are provided. We have full on-site x-ray facilities for your convenience.
You will then be invited to book a Report of Findings appointment. At this appointment your chiropractor will discuss with you the results of your examination and any x-rays. Based on these findings, a care plan will be suggested and you can begin your adjustments.
A new patient appointment may take approximately 45 minutes to one hour, allowing for your health history, consultation and possible x-rays.
X-rays are not automatically taken. Following an assessment and examination of your spinal and nervous system function, your chiropractor may decide to recommend an x-ray to determine the condition of your spine.
We can take x-rays on-site – we are the only chiropractic practice in the Tasman District with the facilities for taking x-rays – but sometimes we refer you to other x-ray facilities eg Pacific Radiology.
If you have already had x-rays taken, your chiropractor may recommend more x-rays be taken, depending on what has happened since your existing x-rays were taken and how long it has been. Generally x-rays in the past five years would be sufficient, although if an accident or injury has occurred since then a new set of x-rays may be requested. Your chiropractor may be able to access online x-rays taken at other sites.
Modern x-ray equipment minimises the exposure to radiation and the benefits far outweigh the risk of the low amount of radiation absorbed and it is your choice to have them or not.
Chiropractors are licensed by the National Radiation Laboratory to take x-rays.
Payment may be made in cash or by debit/credit card. If you would like to pay by direct debit or bank transfer, please discuss this with the chiropractic assistant.
We generally prefer you to ‘pay as you go’, but sometimes your chiropractor may offer an arrangement for a discounted price if you pay for a number of adjustments in advance.
ACC determines an accident to be a personal injury that is a specified physical force to the body, following an accident with a direct consequence.
If your injury was sustained at work, ACC requires you to document this injury at work with your employer. Should you fail to do so your claim may be declined.
ACC has a number of rules around what they cover and we have little room to vary these. Each type of injury has an allocated maximum number of visits, and ACC also expects to see a visit pattern that reflects a recovery from injury.
ACC subsidises your visits at a set amount – regardless of the stage of recovery you are at.
No you do not need a referral for chiropractic care under ACC. Your chiropractor will assess the injury and the maximum number of ACC visits is set accordingly.
This can be a complex answer. Yes we can provide chiropractic care, but due to variations in workplace cover provider’s policies, we need to manage this on a case-by-case basis. We are happy to answer any queries – just contact us here.
Your chiropractor will set a recommended time frame for a follow-up visit based on a variety of factors. These may include the length of time the current issue has been a problem, your overall health, their knowledge of how well adjustments ‘hold’ for you etc.
We recommend that you keep to the care plan that is set for you – it is devised using a combination of well-developed specialist knowledge and your own health status. Your plan is an individual plan devised to maximise the benefit you gain from your visits.
Sometimes an adjustment will result in you feeling slightly ‘off-colour’. Our general recommendation is to drink plenty of water and enjoy a gentle walk in the fresh air. Your chiropractor may have given you advice on managing your condition.
If you experience ongoing increased pain following an adjustment, please ring us so we can address why this may be.
Adjustments create change in the body. When the body is managing change water may help facilitate that change.
Our chiropractors are all trained in a variety of adjustment techniques and you should certainly discuss any anxieties or preferences that you have with your chiropractor.
We understand that shift work and family schedules can mean that it is more difficult to book ahead sometimes. We are happy to ring you a few days prior to your recommended checkup time to find a time that will suit. Just let the CA know that this is what will work best for you.
Yes you can request a reminder/confirmation of your appointment either the working day before or the same day as your appointment. We are happy to call, text or email this.
Yes. We strongly recommend that you keep your appointment when you are unwell. An adjustment will increase your spinal and nervous system function which in term serves to support your immune system. If you are feeling as if you may be contagious please let us know so that we can minimize your contact with others while you are here.
Please contact us as soon as you become aware that you are unable to keep an appointment. We often have a cancellation list operating and we also have people calling at short notice for an appointment so we appreciate knowing that we can make your appointment time available for others.
As is noted on your appointment card, failure to advise us that you will not be keeping an appointment makes you liable for a missed appointment fee.
The after hours number for the chiropractor on duty is on our answer phone message – call 035444554. There is a fee for an after-hours consultation – the amount depends on whether or not it is a home visit, travelling time etc.
Your Chiropractor may suggest you see another chiropractor if they believe that you may benefit from specialist attention in a specific technique or procedure.
Refer to our Resources page for the video on Maintenance Care.
Opening Hours: Tasman Bay Chiropractic 544 4554
Monday: 8.45am – 12.15pm and 2.30pm – 6.00pm
Tuesday: 8.30am – 12.00pm
Wednesday: 9.00am – 11.45pm and 2.30pm – 6.00 pm
Thursday: 10.00am – 12.30pm and 2.30pm – 6.15pm
Friday: 8.00am – 12.00pm
Saturday: 9.00am – 11.45am