What Is Chiropractic?

Chiropractic is a regulated health profession focused on the relationship between the spine and the nervous system and its effect on overall health and function. The spine houses and protects the spinal cord — the main communication highway between the brain and the rest of the body. When spinal joints are not moving or functioning as they should, this can create mechanical stress, muscle tension, and interference with the nervous system's ability to coordinate the body efficiently. Chiropractors work to identify areas of dysfunction and address them using specific, targeted adjustments.

At ACC, our approach is evidence-informed — meaning we draw on current research and best-practice guidelines alongside clinical experience and individual patient assessment. We do not claim that chiropractic will cure every ailment, and we are honest with patients about what the evidence does and does not support. What we can say is that many people find significant relief from musculoskeletal pain, improved mobility, and greater general function through chiropractic care, and that our long-term patients value the ongoing role that maintenance care plays in their quality of life.

We are particularly experienced in the Thompson Technique — a system of analysis and adjustment developed by Dr J. Clay Thompson that uses a specialised drop-piece table to deliver gentle, specific adjustments with minimal patient discomfort. This technique allows precise assessment of leg length discrepancy and pelvic balance, and has been shown to be effective for a wide range of spinal and postural presentations. Our principal chiropractor, Dr Charles Kathopoulis, is a certified Thompson Technique practitioner and national lecturer in the method — a level of expertise that is genuinely unusual for a regional clinic.

Conditions We See

Our chiropractors regularly see patients presenting with the following conditions. Individual outcomes vary, and we will always conduct a thorough assessment before discussing whether chiropractic care may be appropriate for your situation.

Lower back pain — One of the most common presentations we see, whether acute from a recent strain or chronic from years of accumulated stress on the spine.

Neck pain — Often arising from poor posture, desk work, or injury, neck pain can also contribute to headaches and referred arm symptoms.

Headaches and migraines — Cervicogenic (neck-related) headaches and tension headaches may be related to spinal dysfunction in the upper cervical region.

Shoulder pain — Shoulder complaints frequently involve the cervical and thoracic spine, and assessment of these areas is an important part of a thorough shoulder workup.

Hip pain — Hip and pelvic dysfunction can be related to spinal imbalance, leg length discrepancy, and sacroiliac joint issues, all of which chiropractic assessment can help clarify.

Sciatica — Radiating leg pain that originates in the lower back and travels along the sciatic nerve pathway is a common reason patients seek chiropractic assessment.

Postural concerns — Poor posture, scoliosis, and spinal curvature issues are assessed thoroughly at ACC, with in-house X-ray available to support clinical findings.

Pregnancy — Pregnancy brings significant changes to the pelvis, lumbar spine, and centre of gravity. Chiropractic care may help support comfort and mobility throughout pregnancy.

Paediatric presentations — Chiropractors with appropriate training and experience can assess and care for children, and ACC's team includes practitioners with specific interest in paediatric presentations.

Sports injuries — Whether from weekend sport or high-level competition, musculoskeletal injuries involving the spine and extremities are a common part of our clinical caseload.