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General Questions

Before we can answer this question we must first see you to gather some basic information about you and what you are experiencing. This will include:
  • a detailed health history about your complaint.
  • the appropriate testing, examinations and diagnostic procedures required to fully assess the problem.
  • a detailed verbal and written “Report of Findings”, based on the findings from your health history and examination, is given to you. This explains; what the diagnosis is what we would recommend to help you resolve that problem.
  • In most cases the answer is, yes we can. Chiropractic care is a safe and effective way to help with many common injuries and ailments.
  • However, when referral to another practitioner is required, we have associated ourselves with top specialists in other fields so that there can be a seamless referral if that should be necessary. GP or Specialist Naturopath Acupuncturist Massage Therapist or other practitioner
  • The good news is that we have highly qualified practitioners from many health care disciplines within our practice at Pure Healthcare, so this makes it much easier to get you the help that you need. Just click on the link to the practitioner and learn more about our team of practitioners.
Everyone is different due to age, gender, occupation, underlying conditions, posture, biomechanics, lifestyle, diet, exercise habits, etc. Some people have had their problem for years, and others have only recently begun to experience their pain. Depending on the severity and duration of the condition you may require care for as little as 2 weeks or as long as 3 months or more. Again, it depends on the nature of the condition, what the x-rays show, what the exam findings were, your overall health and fitness level, and how you respond to care. However, rest assured that you will see progressive improvement as you go along with the treatments. If not, we will re-evaluate and consider a different path, or referral to another practitioner such as you GP, a specialist, or other provider such as a massage therapist, acupuncturist, naturopath, or physiotherapist. When the verbal and written “Report of Findings” is presented to you, we give our estimate of the approximate number of treatments required, over a specific time. Usually the initial care plan involves a few adjustments over a few weeks, at which time we review your case as part of a progress report.
That depends a variety of factors that include; the diagnosis, your age, your general state of health and your response to their treatment. However, we will do our best to keep cost in control and will always communicate cost estimates to you. As we see it, our job is to get you OUT of our office. While you are in active care, we will be providing you with rehabilitative exercises, nutritional advice, natural supplements, and general lifestyle advice. To answer this question more directly….
  • New patient fees range from $65 – $150 depending on the practitioner and time required
  • Regular visit fees vary from $35 – $70 depending on the practitioner and time required
  • FREE “Discovery Sessions” – click on the link to learn how to attend a free Discover Session

No, you do not need to see a doctor first to open an ACC claim. Dr Cherye or Dr Colin are able to examine you and, if required, can open an ACC claim

There is free parking available on site at the Apollo Health and Wellness Centre at 119 Apollo Drive

Chiropractic

Before entering Chiropractic college, a pre-professional study in the basic sciences is required. Chiropractors receive an education that includes evaluation and care for the entire body with special emphasis on neuromusculo-skeletal diagnosis and treatment. The New Zealand Chiropractic Board has very high standards for Chiropractors to be registered here in New Zealand. Today’s Doctors of Chiropractic are well educated, with an education curriculum similar to medical school. Courses emphasize anatomy, neurology, biomechanics, nutrition, x-ray, physiology, diagnosis and spinal adjusting. In addition to the classroom training, Chiropractic interns must see a specified number of new patients and regular patient visits during their clinical training in a supervised teaching clinic. Chiropractic education totals 5 years after which, demanding national boards must be passed. Chiropractors in New Zealand also have standards for ongoing continuing professional development courses to maintain their annual practicing certificate. Here at Pure Healthcare, our Chiropractors in Albany and Auckland meet regularly with peer groups to obtain regular and ongoing training in examination skills, diagnosis, x-ray/MRI/Ultra-sound report interpretation, biomechanics and Chiropractic technique.
Our Chiropractic Doctors in Albany and Auckland all practice what we call “Wholistic Chiropractic”. This means caring for the “whole” person by treating the CAUSE as well as the symptom. We do this by identifying the underlying biomechanical or biophysiological cause, and then integrating Chiropractic care, exercise, nutrition, and lifestyle advice to help you get well and stay well. Call now for an appointment on 09-414-2225, read on to learn more, or click to learn more about our “Free Discovery Session”.
The New Zealand Chiropractic Board notes the following; “Chiropractic is a health care profession that focuses on disorders of both the musculoskeletal system and the nervous system and the effects of these disorders on general health. Chiropractic care is used most often to treat neuromusculoskeletal complaints, including but not limited to:
  • back pain
  • neck pain
  • pain in the joints of the arms or legs
  • headaches
Chiropractors are also trained to recommend therapeutic and rehabilitative exercises. The purpose of a “spinal manipulation” or “chiropractic adjustment” is to restore joint mobility by manually applying a controlled force into joints that have become restricted in their movement. Manipulation or adjustment of the affected joint and tissues restores mobility, thereby alleviating pain and muscle tightness allowing tissues to heal”. Furthermore, Chiropractic (Greek for “done by hand”) is the Art, Science, and Philosophy of healthcare from a Chiropractic perspective. It is based on the premise that your amazing body is a self-regulating, innately intelligent, self-healing organism. When your body is in balance you are in Homeostasis. This balance is achieved primarily through the brain communicating with every cell, tissue, organ and system in the body via your spinal cord, and nerves. When this process is interrupted by dysfunction in the spine it is called a SUBLUXATION.
Our Chiropractors in Albany and Auckland are experts in the science of locating these Subluxations in the spine, the art of correcting them to reduce their negative impact to the nervous system, and base their practice on the philosophy that working with the natural systems built into our bodies, is the best way to help you achieve optimal vital health and wellbeing. We do this by detecting the presence of subluxations, and then correcting. Correcting a subluxation is called a Chiropractic adjustment.
A Chiropractic Adjustment is different from a “manipulation”. An adjustment is a process whereby the spine is brought back into balance and function using a variety of techniques to correct the subluxation. The technique used is based on the specific and unique needs of the individual patient. The adjustments are gentle and comfortable, and many patients feel more flexible, relaxed and pain free following an adjustment. Our Chiropractors in Albany and Auckland are trained in several gentle and effective techniques (see Chiropractic Techniques), and will choose the technique that will best suit your individual needs. The Chiropractic adjustment is used to restore more normal movement and nerve function. These techniques that have been developed, researched and refined over the last century, are generally bundled together as chiropractic techniques, and individually are referred to as adjustments. A Chiropractic adjustment is a specific movement, applied in a specific direction, to a specific vertebral joint. Chiropractic adjustive techniques require a high degree of training and skill to learn and apply. The skill is in knowing when, where and how to apply an adjustment, to help relieve the pressure on the spine and stabilize your spine, so as to help you to achieve greater levels of health and wellness. When nerves are irritated this is usually due to dysfunction of the joints between the vertebra, or muscle imbalance that leads to a nerve being stressed. A nerve that is irritated by joint dysfunction in the spine is referred to as a “Vertebral Subluxation Complex” or VSC. When you visit the practice for consultation, we will share with you a detailed explanation of how this happens and where it is happening in your spine. We will also share with you how we can correct this gently and effectively.
The answer is NO, an adjustment does not have to create the sound or feeling of a “crack”. There are several techniques (see Chiropractic Techniques) that can be used that do not involve the typical ‘crack’ sound that people associate with Chiropractic care. If a typical adjustment that does include movement of the vertebra such that it makes a popping sound is what you want, and is the best technique choice for you, we can certainly do that. However, if what you want, or what is required for your particular case is to use a more subtle technique, then we can offer that as an option for your care plan. Now – about that sound… There is gas and fluid inside the joints that connect the bones at each spinal level and in the extremities. One of the techniques can produce a sound when the gas and fluids in the joint shift. It is much like opening a bottle of champagne or removing a suction cup. There is no friction of the bones or tearing of any tissues. It is simply a release of pressure in the joint.
Click edit button to change this text. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing eTypical chiropractic adjustments do NOT hurt. Occasionally there is minor discomfort during the adjustment which is brief. Any discomfort you may have following your first few adjustments is also rare, and can be compared to the soreness you have after a hard workout at the gym. If this is the case, it will only be true for the first adjustment or two. Thereafter, you should experience no pain with an adjustment.lit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.
Essentially, there is no such thing. Discs do not “slip”. However they do become irritated, and can even tear, which can result in a disc bulge. The disc is a pad of cartilage that separates the spinal bones. It acts as a shock absorber and spacer between the bones. Injury to the spine due to a severe lifting strain, or repetitive twisting and bending, can cause discs to be irritated and cause a tear, bulge, herniation, or rupture. This can be mildly or massively painful, as the soft centre of the disc breaks through tears in the disc, and irritates the adjacent nerve roots and spinal cord. Over the years, research has indicated that chiropractic care can be successful with this type of injury, so a brief course of care may delay or even avoid a back surgery.
The expression, “pinched nerve” is commonly used for neck and back pain, especially if the pain extends into the arms or legs respectively. A pinched nerve is actually fairly rare. Researchers suggest that only about 10% of neck and back pain is caused by pressure of a bone on nerve tissue! When it happens this may cause numbness, burning, or tingling. However, the nerves can be irritated by swelling, chemical irritation or being over stretched. So, it is just not that simple. Often what feels like a pinched nerve is actually a dysfunction in the spinal joints that can be corrected with a Chiropractic adjustment.

Please click on <span style=”color: #212121;”><a style=”color: #212121;” href=”https://www.purehealthcare.co.nz/common-problems/”>Common Conditions</a></span>

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a form of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), where very thin, sterile needles are inserted into specific locations on the body in order to entice the body into healing its self. In TCM it is believed that life energy (Qi) (pronounced chee, meaning vital energy) flows throughout the body and all of its organs and when restricted or out of balance, sickness or illness results. Acupuncture adjusts this energy (Qi) removing restrictions and restoring balance.
Eye, Ear, Nose, Throat Disorders · Sinusitis · Sore Throat · Hay Fever · Earache · Nerve Deafness · Ringing in the Ears · Dizziness · Poor Eyesight Circulatory Disorders · High Blood Pressure · Angina Pectoris · Arteriosclerosis · Anemia Gastrointestinal Disorders · Irritable Bowel Syndrome · Spastic colon · Colitis · Constipation · Diarrhea · Food Allergies · Ulcers · Gastritis · Abdominal Bloating · Hemorrhoids Gynecological / Genitourinary Disorders · Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) · Irregular, Heavy or Painful Menstruation · Endometriosis · Menopause · Fibroids · Chronic Bladder Infection · Complications in Pregnancy · Morning Sickness · Kidney Stones · Impotence · Infertility in Men and Women · Sexual Dysfunction Immune Disorders · Candida · Chronic Fatigue · Epstein Barr Virus · Allergies · Lupus · MS · Hepatitis Addiction · Smoking Cessation · Drugs · Alcohol Emotional and Psychological Disorders · Anxiety · Insomnia · Depression · Stress Musculoskeletal and Neurological Disorders · Arthritis · Neuralgia · Sciatica · Back Pain · Bursitis · Tendonitis · Stiff Neck · Bell’s Palsy · Trigeminal Neuralgia · Headaches and Migraines · Stroke · Cerebral Palsy · Polio · Sprains · Muscle Spasms · Shingles Respiratory Disorders · Asthma · Emphysema · Bronchitis · Colds and Flus Acupuncture Also Treats · Chemotherapy/Radiation Side Effects · Diabetes · Dermatological Disorders · Weight Control
Acupuncture is very safe when performed by professionals who are trained, certified and licensed. All licensed acupuncturist’s today use single use, sterile, disposable needles, along with universal health care precautions to ensure safety.
The National Institute of Health conducted a scientific review in 1997 and concluded through the review of random controlled clinical trials that acupuncture has the following biological effects on the body:
  • Acupuncture can increase the release of endorphins, substances that inhibit pain.
  • Acupuncture can regulate the endocrine functions of the body.
  • Acupuncture can enhance the body’s immune function.
  • Acupuncture can increase the body’s circulation.
Acupuncture needles are very thin, about the thickness of three human hairs and rarely cause pain. Most people report feeling warmth, heaviness or a slight tingling sensation where needles have been inserted. Many find acupuncture to be relaxing and as a result fall asleep during treatment.
In TCM, acupuncturists feel the pulse on each arm as well as ask to view a patients tongue as part of an advanced diagnostic method. Both are believed to reflect many things, such as balance or imbalances within the body.

Massage

Sports Massage is a style of bodywork that addresses the particular needs of athletes. Sports Massage is a special form of massage and is typically used before, during, and after athletic events, as well as off-season, pre-season and post-season massage. The purpose of the sports massage is to prepare the athlete for peak performance, to drain away fatigue, to relieve swelling, to reduce muscle tension, to promote flexibility and to prevent injuries.
Some of the most exciting benefits of Sports Massage are: enhanced athletic performance, faster workout recovery, fewer injuries and faster recovery from injury, restored flexibility and range of motion, removal of lactic acid build-up, extending the overall life of your athletic career, reducing feelings of stress, and maintaining the body in better condition.
Yes. Sports massage is proven to reduce recovery time, sometimes dramatically, by shortening the time it takes for injuries to heal, and makes the after effects “better”. Sports Massage reduces the swelling and edema associated with soft tissue injuries. After a serious injury, Sports Massage helps form strong pliable scar tissue instead of the usual random stiff scar tissue, so that range of motion and tissue extensibility are maintained.

·     Shortens the time it takes for an injury to heal.

·     Helps to reduce swelling and edema.

·     Helps to form soft, pliable scar tissue.

·     Maintains or increases range of motion.

·     Eliminates splinting in associated muscle tissue.

·     Locates and deactivates “trigger points” that form as a result of the original trauma.

·     Helps get the athlete back into training sooner with less chance of reinjury.

Yes, in an indirect way. Sport Massage tweaks your body to a state of higher efficiency so that you can get more – more speed, more strength, more performance. Sports Massage breaks down muscle adhesions, relieves knots, increases range of motion, decreases pain, increases circulation, stretches tight muscles, reduces stiffness and generally reduces the negative after effects of hard training. This means you can train harder than you ever have before. You can excel to higher levels than you thought possible.
Yes. The prominent cause of diminishing athletic ability with aging is due to years of micro trauma from maximum exertion coupled with the cumulative results of old unresolved injuries. When Sports Massage is used on a regular basis, the effects of these traumas are lessened. The effects of injuries are overcome. The muscle tissues and facia remain supple and pliable much longer. The musculoskeletal system keeps full range of motion. Couple these benefits with the extra performance that Sports Massage gives you, then the natural “slowdown” associated with aging is pushed back to a much later time.
That depends on several factors such as training volume and intensity, whether or not you have chronic pain or acute injury, and other factors. For some athletes, a weekly massage gives huge results. Other athletes only get an occasional Sports Massage if they’re in pain. The best way to reduce the effects of hard training is with regular Sports Massage. We suggest you try a series of 5 to 6 Sports Massages to see how you feel when the positive effects accumulate. Then you’ll be able to decide how often you need a Sports Massage. However, it is a fact that even getting massaged once a month regularly has long lasting positive impact.
Sometimes yes. If you have a tight painful neck and shoulder complex you can expect to come away from a Sports Massage experiencing a lot of relief, at least for a while. But it probably took you months or years to get that way. It’s not reasonable to expect permanent relief from an hour session of Sports Massage. The effects of Sports Massage are very much like the effects of athletic training. Your first bike ride won’t turn you into Lance Armstrong. But a consistent training program will turn you into a competitive cyclist. So it is with Sports Massage. Consistent Sports Massage can offer very positive results to chronic issues and painful conditions.
Yes, by all means. At Pure Healthcare you get the massage that you ask for. Not only do we provide the various forms of Sports Massage, we also are fluent in Javanese therapeutic massage and relaxation massage.

Lactic acid is a constituent part of the cellular metabolic cycle. During strenuous anaerobic exercise the levels of lactic acid can rise to high levels, causing fatigue and a burning feeling in the muscle tissues. The high levels of lactate can linger longer than most of us would wish for. One way to diminish that burning feeling in our muscles is with a recovery style Sports Massage. The long strokes of a recovery Sports Massage aids circulation. The stagnant blood and fluids are “pumped” toward the heart and liver. Freshly oxygenated blood rushes into the muscle tissue, giving a refreshed relaxed feeling to sore muscles. After a post-workout Sports Massage, recovery from a grueling workout or training session is much more brief.

No, not usually. If your therapist is mindful and experienced they will work up to your individual capacity for pressure. For example if you’ve just ran a marathon they know you can’t take a lot of pressure on your legs. If they see you wincing or resisting their strokes, they know to back off. But sometimes individuals develop knots, contractures, or trigger points that require stronger bodywork and may cause discomfort. If this is the case, the therapist and client communicate about pain levels, working together to make the session as productive as possible, as pain free as can be. But all of this aside, a typical Sports Massage is a pleasurable experience, not a painful one.
No, absolutely not. Deep work is reserved for conditions and issues that call for it. It’s typical to be sore for several days after a deep Sports Massage. That would interfere with an athletic event or competition. A pre-event Sports Massage would be the right choice before a race. Pre-event Sports Massage boosts circulation and flexibility. It leaves muscles relaxed and ready for action. Pre-event massage can help prevent muscle and tendon injuries and improve performance.
Yes. Contraindications are conditions when you should not be massaged. The most common condition among athletes is that of an acute injury or inflammation. Usually the first 72 hours after an injury are the acute stage. After the swelling and pain begin to diminish, massage is indicated. A partial list of contraindications are: fever, vascular conditions, severe heart disease, contagious skin conditions, inflammation, abrasions, cuts, hematomas, cancer, neuritis, recent surgery, infectious diseases, diabetes with vascular dysfunction, fractures, and acute injury. There are too many possible conditions to list here so it is your responsibility to alert the therapist of any medical condition or injury before a massage begins. Some conditions are localized so massage may take place except in the affected area.
Yes, by all means. Self-massage and stretching are two of the best things an athlete can do for him- or herself. There are some excellent books on the subject. But even though self-massage is beneficial, it doesn’t replace a good Sports Massage by a trained therapist.

It is an oil-based therapeutic massage that originated as an ancient system of healing with a history of over 300 years in Indonesia. In Javanese massage,pushing and stroking techniques predominate, working to ease muscle and joint pain. Deep thumb pressures pushing, pressing and circling along and around the body’s energy meridians to break down tensely knotted muscles and to stimulate the body’s lymphatic system into releasing its self regenerative power. The holistic healing power of this treatment is very strong, as quite a few clients with physical problems experienced, for whom other treatments didn’t bring relieve.

Orthotics

Orthotics or ‘Orthoses’ are inserts that comfortably fit into shoes; they are designed to support and improve the functioning of feet. Health care practitioners will prescribe orthotics to patients suffering from chronic foot or lower limb problems or to athletes to help maximize performance during sport.
Your orthotics should be worn every time you are on your feet — during work, at home and play. Orthotics are like eyeglasses, they work when they are worn. As soon as you take your orthotics out of your shoes or take your shoes off your feet, the stress and discomfort you experienced before wearing your orthotics is likely to return.

During the first few weeks of wearing your orthotics, you may experience aches and pains in your feet and legs. This is normal and is an indication that your orthotics are working.

Your body has been conditioned to accommodate feet that do not function properly; as a result, it may need time to adjust. If your discomfort persists beyond a few weeks, please contact your health care practitioner, your orthotics may simply need a minor adjustment.

Orthotics are most effective in shoes that are constructed well, fit properly and are in good condition. It is best to bring in your shoes when your health care practitioner is fitting you for orthotics. Knowing the type of footwear you wear the most will help your practitioner prescribe the right style of orthotics for your lifestyle.

It is quite normal for some practitioners to prescribe two pairs of orthotics to patients (ie. Dress and Sport). When shopping for new shoes, it is also best to bring your orthotics with you for fitting purposes.