What is Chiropractic care?
A safe, gentle and effective way of relieving pain by focusing on the relationship between the alignment of the joints in your spine, the function of your nervous system, and the impact that it has on your health. Chiropractic care is one of the largest natural health care systems in the world, which is a very good indication of the positive impact that it has on countless lives.
Chiropractic care is based on the scientific premise that abnormal tension, misalignment or altered function of the joints in your spine can interfere with the normal function of your spinal nerves. Spinal joint dysfunction (also known as biomechanical misalignment or vertebral subluxation) may cause pain, muscle spasm, tingling, numbness or altered sensation in your body.
Doctors of Chiropractic focus on improving the function of your spine. Through Chiropractic care, many people naturally find relief from aches, pains and the musculoskeletal symptoms associated with a range of different conditions. Patients also report the added benefit of improved posture, mobility and bio-mechanical function.
Our Wellness Leaders
Dr Ashley has been practicing for over 35 years and has a stellar reputation for providing pain relief, injury rehabilitation and wellness care to patients of every age and state of health. Despite being highly regarded for his exceptional adjusting skills, advanced diagnostic abilities and holistic approach to care, in 2021 Dr Ashley decided it was time to take a break from practice to focus his time and energy on mentoring his Chiropractic team. He has since launched a second This Is Life practice, this time on the Gold Coast and is now available to care for our Melbourne patient’s while they are on holiday.
Dr Asena, Dr Michael and Dr Anthony are exceptional Chiropractors who work together in our Melbourne practice to care for our large and diverse patient family at This Is Life. Together they are continuing the wonderful work that Dr Ashley started, managing complex and multifaceted health challenges; holistically and effectively.
Over the years, we have built a strong relationship with a large number of well respected and highly skilled neurosurgeons, orthopaedic surgeons, sports medicine doctors and other allied health practitioners. The team fully recognise where their expertise starts and stops, and will refer you to a more suitable practitioner if your problem is outside of their scope of practice.
Team work is a very big theme in our practice. Our team work hard to ensure that the standard of care, clinical outcomes, and diagnostic process patients’ go through is of an incredibly high standard, irrespective of who the treating Chiropractor is on the day.
The advanced adjusting techniques we practice:
- Gonstead Technique
Specific spinal analysis using x-ray line drawing, bio-mechanical analysis & motion palpation - Diversified Technique
Various manual Chiropractic techniques practiced widely in the Chiropractic world - Thompson Technique
A specific system of analysis using head rotation, leg length testing & specific drop piece techniques on Thompson tables - Sacro Occipital Technqiue (SOT)
Is a low force technique with a specific protocol using arm fossa testing & blocks to correct misalignments of the pelvis. This is ideal for patients who prefer not to be adjusted manually
- Activator Technique
Low force adjusting tool with a specific leg length testing protocol, this is ideal for young babies, toddlers, children and the elderly - Applied Kinesiology
A system that uses muscle testing & advanced neurological diagnosis to determine the patient’s individualised treatment protocol - Individualised Drop Piece Technique
Developed by Dr Ashley to address shoulder and hip dysfunction using muscle testing in 4-5 directions, to ascertain where weakness lies & what needs to be corrected
Reasons people seek out Chiropractic care
Wellness Care
Chiropractic is one of the largest natural health care professions in the Western world. By correcting misalignments in your spine, Chiropractic care helps your spine and joints to move more freely, while stimulating nerve activity.
Reasons people seek out Chiropractic care:
- To help improve flexibility, strength and muscle coordination
- To help with their ability to relax and cope with stress and change
- To improve posture
- To help to minimise the impact of spinal degeneration and decay
Pregnancy Support
Research shows that Chiropractic care helps to relieve back pain for up to 94% of pregnant women. By correcting misalignments of your lumbar spine and pelvis, Chiropractic care can help your body adapt to the changing pressures of pregnancy. Keeping your spine and pelvis aligned during the last trimester, not only reduces pain in your upper and lower back, but can often lead to an easier transition to motherhood.
Reasons pregnant and new Mum’s seek out Chiropractic care:
- Spinal and pelvic discomfort, tension or instability
- Pubic symphysis, sacroiliac joint pain or inflammation
- Labour preparation
- Postural pain as result of breastfeeding positions or carrying a growing child
- Increase one’s ability to exercise comfortably
Children’s Spinal Health Support
While a child’s spine and body is incredibly flexible and mobile, even minor knocks, falls or postural stresses can impact the function of their spinal joints or nervous system. The nervous system controls everything your child does, from breathing and digesting, to running and thinking. There can be early warning signs that your child’s spine may not be functioning at its best, for example favouring one side of their neck, poor posture and limited joint movement or pain.
Reasons parents seek out Chiropractic care for their Children:
- Torticollis / head tilt
- Scoliosis detection and management
- Lack of balance or coordination
- Pigeon toed or duck footed gait
- Frequent falls, jolts or sporting mishaps
- Complaints of neck or back pain
- Postural issues
Sports Performance Care
Chiropractic care has been shown to enhance co-ordination, speed and overall performance. It can also help your body to be more mobile, flexible and help to keep your muscles in peak condition. Research has shown that regular Chiropractic care can improve athletic ability and performance and also reduce the risk of injury. Studies have shown decrease in response times of athletes under Chiropractic care with one study showing a 19% decrease in mean reaction time.
Reasons Sportspeople seek out Chiropractic care:
- Injury management
- Injury prevention
- Natural performance enhancement / biomechanical analysis
- Back related hamstring injuries
- Frequent groin, hamstring, calf muscle strains
- Nagging injuries that don’t seem to heal
- Recurrent shoulder, elbow or foot pain
- Asymmetrical joint flexibility
- Uneven muscle development
Pain Conditions
Chiropractic has stood the test of time and is a go-to, natural pain relief solution for people suffering with acute and chronic pain. Headaches and migraines, sciatica, neurological pain in the back, arms, legs, hands and feet along with hip, knee, ankle and thigh pain; are just a few of the conditions that respond amazingly well. Dr Ashley also helps patients with disc injuries or rehabilitation after surgery. Our holistic approach works to diagnose and address the root cause of your pain, from a bio-mechanical and neurological perspective.
Reasons people seek out Chiropractic care
- Neck, Back, Shoulder & Arm Pain
- Neurological Pain: numbness, tingling, altered sensation in the arm, legs or hands
- Headaches & Migraines
- Jaw Pain / TMJ Dysfunction
- Brachial Neuralgia (burning in shoulder/arm)
- Shoulder Injuries
- Sciatica and Pinched Nerves
- Hip Pain & Dysfunction
- Disc Injury Management
Special Offer To New Patients
Would you like to discover if Chiropractic can help you reach your health goals, eliminate your pain, or rehabilitate your injury? Would you like to meet one of our Chiropractors to learn more before attending an initial consultation and commencing the treatment process? We offer all new clients a FREE spinal health check. Click the link below to schedule an appointment.
Research & References
Chiropractic spinal manipulation for low back pain of pregnancy: a retrospective case series
Chiropractic care of the pregnant woman and neonate
The effects of a single session of spinal manipulation on strength and cortical drive in athletes
Alterations in cortical and cerebellar motor processing in subclinical neck pain patients following spinal manipulation
Meade, T. Dyer, S. Browne, W. Frank, A. Randomised comparison of chiropractic and hospital outpatient management for low back pain: results from extended follow up. BMJ 1995;311:349
Hoiriis KT, Pfleger B, McDuffie FC, Cotsonis G, Elsangak O, Hinson R, Verzosa GT. A randomized clinical trial comparing chiropractic adjustments to muscle relaxants for subacute low back pain. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2004 Jul-Aug;27(6):388-98
McMorland G. Suter E. Chiropractic management of mechanical neck and low-back pain: a retrospective, outcome-based analysis. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2000 Jun;23(5):307-11.
Dabbs V. Lauretti W. A risk assessment of cervical manipulation vs. NSAIDs for the treatment of neck pain. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics [1995, 18(8):530-536
Nelson C, Bronfort G, Evans R, Boline P, Goldsmith C, Anderson AV. The Efficacy of Spinal Manipulation, Amitriptyline and the Combination of Both Therapies for the Prophylaxis of Migraine Headache. J Manipulative Physiol Ther 1998 (Oct); 21 (8): 511–519
Tuchin, P. Pollard, H. Bonello, R. A Randomized Controlled Trial of Chiropractic Spinal Manipulative Therapy for Migraine. J Manipulative Physiol Ther 2000 (Feb); 23 (2): 91–95