FAQs

How safe is Chiropractic?
What is health?
What is Chiropractic?
What is a Vertebral Subluxation?
What causes a subluxation?
What is an adjustment?
What is the cracking sound?
What ages can receive chiropractic care?
Will I need an X-ray?
How long will it take to notice results?
What qualifications does Dr Trevor Harbrow have?
Will it hurt?
How long does an appointment take?


How safe is Chiropractic?
The Report of the Commission of Inquiry into Chiropractic in New Zealand in 1979 stated that chiropractic was "extremely safe". Literature published in JMPT 1996 concluded that chiropractic was much safer than the use of NSAID's (aspirin) for neck pain by as much as a factor of several hundred times. Halderman, et al published in Spine 1999 concluded that stroke like symptoms were very rare at approx 1 in 5.85 million neck manipulations. According to the Lightning Information Index the chances of being hit by lightning are 1 in 700,000.

What is health?
A state of physical, chemical, emotional and spiritual well being when the body's cells, tissues, organs and systems are working in harmony. How we feel is often a poor judge of our health. For Example high blood pressure is usually without symptoms until complications like a heart attack occur. Conversely vomiting from food poisoning or excess alcohol rejecting toxins from our body is a healthy response. Therefore the presence or absence of symptoms is not indicative of our state of health.

What is Chiropractic?
Chiropractic is a safe and effective form of healthcare involving analysing and adjusting areas of the spine to remove nerve interference, allowing it to function and perform to its full potential.

What is a Vertebral Subluxation?
Improper motion or position of one or more spinal segments irritating nerve tissue producing interference to essential nerve system messages. Subluxations may or may not produce symptoms.

What causes a subluxation?
Subluxations are caused by stresses either physical, emotional or chemical that the body cannot adapt to. These stresses may be from physical traumas e.g. falls, car accidents, contact sports or repetitive movements of every day life. They can also be caused by emotional stress from work, home or family and chemical stresses from drugs, alcohol, tobacco, pollution or other toxins.

What is an adjustment?
An adjustment is a specific force applied to the spine to remove vertebral subluxations alleviating nerve interference; allowing the body to heal, coordinate and function to its full potential.

What is the cracking sound?
This is called a cavitation and is the gas escaping from the joint as an adjustment is being performed and not the bones moving. A similar sound may be heard when you bend your fingers at the joints.

What ages can receive chiropractic care?
From new borns to the elderly can receive chiropractic care. Being born can be the most traumatic event in our life. Subluxations can occur during this process and children of all ages regularly visit chiropractors to improve and maintain their health and development. Very gentle and specific techniques are used. As we age our spine can degenerate reducing motion and function preventing us from performing normal daily activities. Chiropractic can go along way to improving quality of life and retaining our independence.

Will I need an X-ray?
X-rays will be required if clinically relevant. This allows the chiropractor a true picture of potential problems and to help determine the appropriate care tailored to your individual needs.

How long will it take to notice results?
Chiropractic results vary. Children often respond quickly, while long standing spinal problems can take longer. The healing process takes time.

What qualifications does Dr. Trevor Harbrow have?
Dr. Harbrow has undergone a 5 year Chiropractic degree at the New Zealand College of Chiropractic. The degree content included extensive study in anatomy and physiology, biophysics, pathology, radiology, radiography, diagnostic imaging, biochemistry and adjusting techniques.

Will it hurt?
Under normal circumstances chiropractic adjustments are painless. With an acute injury there maybe some discomfort due to inflammation of the area.

How long does an appointment take?
The initial new patient visit takes approx 45 min, this may vary from patient to patient. Regular visits are scheduled for 15 min and may also vary from patient to patient.