What Makes Us Different

At Redcliffe Family Chiropractor, we offer a wide range of services:

1. The big one is advice, with over 30 years in practice and various studies in health care people can get lots of advice on how you can manage your own problems and self help, from remedies to diet, things that will make it worse to things that make it better, he has lots of stories on success and failure patients have tried, handouts, books to read, emails newsletters and offers talks to groups on one specific issue.
2. adjustment techniques tailored to all patient comfort levels and quick to modify procedures to expectations by patient and clinician.
3. Chiropractors like to call their visit an adjustment, we like to adjust your body, adjust your health, adjust your well-being, adjust your way of doing things, an adjustment is changing something slightly to make things better without manipulating them past their own personal comfort zone.
4. Our Wellness goal is to reduce or eliminate your need for drugs, alcohol, cigarettes and junk food to get thru a day, to live a pain decreasing life style.
5. We work to get people better than their best, which leads to
6. We develop individual treatment options or self care, especially modifying a technique, or not using procedures the individual patient is not comfortable with.
7. We offer care to patients who want better from their body, we work in with your gym instructors, physical trainers, masseuse, therapists, physio’s and MD’s as much as you want us to.
8. We accept same day appointments for your problems, whether they are Acute meaning recent onset, occasional like ache / pain / stiffness, a twinge, or spasm come cramp through to the complex problems and sever intensity.
9. In our procedure we offer same day re-checks complimentary on the day of your treatment, example you get an adjustment and later in the day step off a gutter or push a three wheeled trolley at the supermarket and something goes wrong – you can pop back in to get checked and re-adjusted if necessary.
10. We regularly use “diversified” techniques which are among the most popular and recognizable chiropractic treatments.
11. We offer high speed high velocity adjustments that can make noises or sounds and involve a thrust into the joint or tissue, this has been popular with patients
12. Plus Drop Piece, Toggle Recoil and procedures using the hydraulic tables and the use of mechanical assisted techniques, these are useful for people who have difficulty turning on the adjustment table, are unable to lay on their side or have a lot of restrictions
13. Sports Therapies from his studies for the Diploma of Football Medicine thru FIFA use the newer European Gold Standards and the lesser Australian Sports Institute Standards for treatment of sports injuries
14. For spinal cord problems he uses upper cervical specific and the latest concussion protocols (FIFA 2016) and cranio-cervical whiplash (2017) New York Brain Symposium
15. For those who desire an extra-gentle approach, we also uses the Impulse and Activator & SOT, unique instruments that provides a less forceful adjustment to improve  bio-mechanical function or movement and ease nerve interference with literally no twisting or “popping” of the joints.
16. Our practice also offers one of the most advanced tools for non-surgical treatment and non-chiropractic of things called or suspected spinal disc herniation and disc compression, the RenuvaDisc Decompression Traction System. This state-of-the-art technology offers an extremely comfortable way to alleviate disc problems that would otherwise be recommended to have surgery.
17. For soft tissue pain and swollen areas like swollen knees and feet he uses a mix of procedures for lymphatic drainage, scar tissue therapy and gentle release procedures to get the joint to carry weight with improved movement and less swelling and tenderness.
18. In July 2017 working thru the text books and pictorials found on “DermNet New Zealand”; we help patients map and identify there skin issues by self directed learning thru the NZ web pages.
19. We can take our own in house x-rays of odd pain or symptom created at odd angles in the spine from neck to  coccyx, however all regular x-rays we refer to Radiology locally or next door at Redcliffe Hospital.
20. And don’t forget Dr Steve has volunteered and is still volunteering in so many services he has a host of stories from the amazing to the ingenious.

Dr Steve’s observation is about developing a healthy discussion of your body. 

‘here go’s’:- 

A lot of people have the right idea when it comes to health and their doctor or Chiropractor.

Is Chiropractic just for my neck and back?  –  It is for your  nervous system. We work to make it work better

It may be natural to associate chiropractic and back care; there is also a multitude of other health concerns that may be helped through manual care, physical therapies and other procedures that chiropractors use. Turning your brain on to heal your body thru a better functioning nervous system is one I support. Their is a lot of published studies and books on Chiropractic helping people suffering. Sadly Chiropractors don’t have access to government research funding for Australia’s biggest ailments, being back pain, neck pain and headache. 

Low Back Pain: Effectiveness and Harms

In July 2017 published by JAMA, By Donald M. Petersen Jr., BS, HCD(hc), FICC(h), Publisher: “The goal of the study was to “systematically review studies of the effectiveness and harms of SMT (spinal manipulative therapy) for acute (6 weeks) low back pain.” Paige, et al., identified 26 randomized clinical trials (RCTs) to measure improvements in pain and function, and assess any harm.” Paige NM, Miake-Lye IM, Booth MS, et al. Association of spinal manipulative therapy with clinical benefit and harm for acute low back pain: systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA, 2017;317(14):1451-1460.

Important Findings

• Fifteen RCTs comprising a total of 1,711 patients “provided moderate-quality evidence that SMT has a statistically significant association with improvements in pain.”
• Twelve RCTs comprising 1,381 patients “produced moderate-quality evidence that SMT has a statistically significant association with improvements in function.”
• “No RCT reported any serious adverse event.”
• The authors concluded that SMT provides “modest improvements” in both pain and function for up to six weeks. While this might seem like faint praise, the most recent studies on drug alternatives to chiropractic care have demonstrated the following:
• “Paracetamol [acetaminophen] is ineffective in the treatment of low back pain and provides minimal short term benefit for people with osteoarthritis. These results support the reconsideration of recommendations to use paracetamol for patients with low back pain and osteoarthritis of the hip or knee in clinical practice guidelines.”²
• “[C]ompared with placebo, NSAIDs do not provide a clinically important effect on spinal pain, and six patients must be treated with NSAIDs for one patient to achieve a clinically important benefit in the short-term.”³
• “[W]hen this result is taken together with those from recent reviews on paracetamol [acetaminophen/Tylenol] and opioids, it is now clear that the three most widely used, and guideline-recommended medicines for spinal pain do not provide clinically important effects over placebo.”³

References

1 Paige NM, Miake-Lye IM, Booth MS, et al. Association of spinal manipulative therapy with clinical benefit and harm for acute low back pain: systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA, 2017;317(14):1451-1460.
2 Machado GC, et al. Efficacy and safety of paracetamol for spinal pain and osteoarthritis: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized placebo controlled trials. BMJ, 2015;350:h1225.
3 Machado GC, et al. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for spinal pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Ann Rheum Disease; e-pub ahead of print, Feb. 2, 2017.
4 Deyo RA. “The Role of Spinal Manipulation in the Treatment of Low Back Pain.” (Editorial) JAMA, 2017;317(14):1418-1419. (Please note that Dr. Deyo’s editorial is less than two pages long without references. You can read the entire first page free by clicking on the link in the article where I discuss Dr. Deyo.)
5 Martin BI, Gerkovich MM, Deyo RA, et al. The association of complementary and alternative medicine use and health care expenditures for back and neck problems. Med Care, 2012;50(12):1029-1036.
6 “Relief for Your Aching Back: What Worked for Our Readers.” Consumer Reports, 2013.
7 Whelton A, Hamilton CW. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: effects on kidney function. J Clin Pharmacol, 1991;31(7):588-598.
8 Vonkeman HE, van de Laar MAFJ. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: adverse effects and their prevention. Semin Arthritis Rheum, 2010;39(4):294-312.
9 Bigos S, Bowyer O, Braen G, et al. Acute Low Back Problems in Adults. Clinical Practice Guideline No. 14. AHCPR Publication No. 95-0642. Rockville, MD: Agency for Health Care Policy and Research, Public Health Service, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, December 1994.
10 “U.S. Judge Finds Medical Group Conspired Against Chiropractors.” The New York Times, Aug. 29, 1987.

We also have a children’s area where you can leave your pram or little ones while receiving wellness!

weight loss in people with long term back pain (which is more thru positive outcomes in ability to move with less or no pain and hence exercise/walk, the Journal of Epidimiology’s continuous study of saturated fats consumed to reduce inflammation of non ambulant pain obese patients, which patients had no benefit from NSAID’s versus improvement with mobilizations),

painful arthritis in fingers and toes abating to a degree to do home based self care pain free, we used mobilization techniques in Stoddard’s Book, this one I participated in and while lengthy in time developed a lot of relief on movement, non randomized trial run by NT Health & Community Services, resulted in chiropractors being invited to give care to remote areas albeit voluntarily.

Their are reasonable research and data studies on chiropractic for migraines & headaches reduction in intensity and or frequency, this would be the third largest base of the public to seek care of chiropractors to reduce their medication

• Medical SymposiumFocusing on brain injury rehabilitation in 2021 and what it looks like in this new landscape, the 2021 Medical Symposium focused on COVID and its impacts on brain injury and treatments. sessions that have been curated to represent the medical issues faced by the brain injury community, presented by top professionals from a broad range of disciplines.
• The Brain Injury Association of New York State launched the Concussion Initiative Advisory Committee in 2017 as an interdisciplinary approach to issues related to concussion. Members include 40+ health care, education and advocacy professionals from across the state, all of whom share the goal of improving concussion education and care for all New Yorkers.

  The goals of the Concussion Initiative are

  • to identify and implement protocols that achieve a successful Return-to-Life for all New Yorkers who sustain concussions;
  • advocate for public policy addressing concussion; and
  • to implement educational standards that address concussion.

  The Concussion Initiative convenes sub-committees that specialize in four specific areas. They are:

  Legislation & Policy. Reviews current New York State legislation and policies, issues recommendations, and works with elected leaders and other stakeholders to increase awareness, diagnosis and management of concussion.

  Public Awareness and Funding. Focuses on developing greater public awareness and pursuing sustainable financial support for the work of the Concussion Initiative.

  Centers for Excellence. Analyzes health care systems and issues recommendations for innovative ideas that expand access to interdisciplinary concussion evaluation and treatment centers, including the integration of updated evidence-based guidelines.

  Return to Life. Reviews guidelines and protocols related to concussion management and generates specific recommendations for integration of “Return to Life and Activity” protocols within medical, educational, vocational settings.

   

• New changes 2016 found in elderly falls improving have been shown thru ASRF in NZ, this is a long term working group to arrest the national taskforce on ageing who cited this study as a step forward for the aging population, it is cited one in 6 elderly have falls detrimental to a loss of health, movement and new pains, and less ambulation, the Minister for the Aging has asked this be a priority in aged studies and welcomes chiropractors contribution, but wants more done.

After 31 years I’m always surprised we help more and more people with complex problems??

You should be glad chiropractic can help you as chiropractic is diversified enough to adopt to most human body types and variable configuration,  chiropractic care is really about improving the nervous system control of your body at an individual level, and your nervous system controls everything in your body from your brain!

Chiropractic care at this clinic helps to remove interference in your body that is causing these symptoms and signs. These symptoms are there for a reason. They’re there to warn you of your problems you might not be able to see. Less interference=better body!!

Whatever you do don’t wait around and let things get worse. Make sure you make an appointment to get checked this week!!

“The most recent research (Neck Pain Task Force Report of the Bone and Joint Decade 2000-2010, a study sanctioned by the United Nations and the World Health Organization)

indicates neck manipulation is a safe and effective form of health care,” according to Matt Pagano, DC, chiropractic profession spokesperson. Topic on safety of chiropractic on neck treatments the cornerstone of Chiropractic for 120+ years

Respected researcher and epidemiologist J. David Cassidy, DC, PhD, DrMedSc, testified as a key witness at the hearings on informed consent before the Connecticut Board of Chiropractic Examiners in Hartford, Conn. Speaking as an expert witness and consultant to the International Chiropractors Association (ICA)—and with the support of all chiropractic organizations involved in the process, including the American Chiropractic Association, Association of Chiropractic Colleges, Foundation for Chiropractic Progress, Life West, New York College of Chiropractic, Parker College of Chiropractic, Palmer College of Chiropractic, and the University of Bridgeport College of Chiropractic—Dr. Cassidy addressed key facts and issues on the basis of the existing science and research record, to which he has been a significant contributor. The objective of his testimony was to bring the discussion from an emotional issue back to science and the objective research record.

Dr. Cassidy joined an extensive list of witnesses representing the chiropractic profession, including William J. Lauretti, DC; James J. Lehman, DC, MBA; J. Clay McDonald, DC, JD, MBA; Gerard W. Clum, DC; Stephen M. Perle, DC, MS; Gina Carucci, DC, MS, DICCP, who appeared on behalf of the Connecticut Chiropractic Association (CCA); and George Curry, DC, FICA, who appeared on behalf of the Connecticut Chiropractic Council (CCC).

“The chiropractic profession unequivocally supports a patient’s right to be informed of the material benefits and risks of any type of health care treatment – not just chiropractic. Legislation or regulatory mandates governing informed consent should apply to all health care providers and all treatments in equal measure. However, a new law, regulation or mandate highlighting one specific treatment by a specific health care profession, which carries with it an extremely rare association and no causal link identified in the research, is simply not good public health policy. It would set an unnecessary precedent for all health care providers, procedures and products that would be virtually impossible to implement,” said Pagano.

The existing informed consent standards in Connecticut allow for the best opportunity for shared decision making between a patient and his or her health care provider. Further, the chiropractic organizations participating in the hearing process all believe informed consent is more than a piece of paper; it is a process. It should occur in the context of a discussion between a doctor and a patient, and it should be appropriately documented.

In a finding highly relevant to the issue before the Connecticut Board of Chiropractic Examiners, the Neck Pain Task Force study demonstrated that patients suffering from headache and neck pain are no more likely to suffer from a stroke following a visit to a chiropractor than they are after a visit to a family medical physician. This implies that there are factors involved other than the type of care provided by doctors of chiropractic. It’s important to note that millions of patients safely benefit from chiropractic care every year—they are able to return to their normal activities and enjoy a better quality of life.

Dr. Cassidy was an investigator with the Bone and Joint Decade 2000-2010 Task Force on Neck Pain and Its Associated Disorders. The work of this international task force affirms the safety and benefits of chiropractic care for people with neck pain—a condition frequently treated by doctors of chiropractic. The Task Force initiated this new population-based, case-control and case-crossover study, which appeared in the Feb. 15, 2008 edition of the journal Spine.

The study, which analyzed nine years’ worth of data from a population of 110-million person years, concluded that vertebrobasilar artery (VBA) stroke is a very rare event and that the risk of VBA stroke following a visit to a chiropractor’s office appears to be no different than the risk of VBA stroke following a visit to the office of a primary care medical physician (PCP). 
 
The study goes on to say that any observed association between VBA stroke and chiropractic manipulation—as well as its apparent association with PCP visits—is likely due to patients with an undiagnosed vertebral artery dissection seeking care for neck pain and headache prior to their stroke.

Over the years, popular media has all too often sensationalized the association between chiropractic cervical manipulation and cerebral vascular accidents—even though the evidence would strongly indicate that this assertion is incorrect. The organizations representing the chiropractic profession believe this most recent evidence should help to dispel any myths on this issue, as well as provide more data to support the safety and effectiveness of chiropractic procedures.

As a profession, doctors of chiropractic remain committed to expanding the research and clinical understanding of VBA injuries, because even one cerebral vascular incident that could have been prevented or detected early is one too many.

Primary School Pain: The future is Chiropractic in Schools freely offered as a trial

In 2014 Queensland Education with a cross over trial with Dept of Health found, 1 in 7 girls daily get headaches and 1 in 7 boys get low back pain on any day surveyed in QLD State Primary Schools, while 1 in 33 had seen a chiropractor. Self medication by parents was the reported treatment. Other oddities: Also 1 in 3 had not had lunch, 1 in 3 had not had breakfast, and 1 in 7 had had sex at least once with an adult while at primary school. Qld Parliamentary Tables Report 2013 Annexes and Appendices. We discussed this at parliamentary meetings face to face, no politician had any idea what to do other than monitor and report to inter-government agencies.

In 2017 our church through “Tuckerbox Ministries” and Redcliffe Community Groups instigated breakfast for homeless I was a volunteer first breakfast and we are now spreading to local school kids who are hungry!