FAQs
Have questions?
Feeling Anxious?
First-time Chiropractic Visit?
Worried about those dramatic 'cracking' videos online?
You're not alone—and it's okay to feel unsure.
At Handcrafted Chiropractic, we meet you right where you are. No pressure. No overwhelm.
Just a genuine conversation about your body, your goals, and how we can help.
Take a moment to explore the information below.
We promise—it’s far less intimidating than it seems.
Let’s take this first step together.
What does a Chiropractor do?
A chiropractor is a healthcare professional dedicated to helping your body function at its best—naturally.
Our primary focus is the spine. Why? Because spinal misalignments or joints that aren’t moving properly can interfere with the way your brain and body communicate through the nervous system. This disruption can affect everything from movement to how your body heals and adapts.
Chiropractic care often involves gentle, precise adjustments using a method called high velocity, low amplitude (HVLA) thrust. Despite the name, this technique doesn’t rely on heavy force. It’s a quick, controlled movement designed to restore alignment and motion to a specific joint.
At Handcrafted Chiropractic, we also embrace a vitalistic approach to health—believing that the body is more than just muscles and bones. We honour the innate intelligence within you—the same life force that connects mind, body, and spirit. This philosophy aligns with principles seen in Traditional Chinese Medicine (Qi) and early Western understandings of vitality and balance.
What is Chiropractic?
Your Nervous System: The Master Regulator
Your nervous system is the control centre of your body—regulating everything from your heartbeat and digestion to your ability to hold a warm cup of coffee. It orchestrates healing, balance, movement, and adaptation by sending and receiving millions of messages through your spinal cord every day.
But what happens when this communication highway gets disrupted?
A vertebral subluxation—a misalignment or restriction in the spine—can interfere with the way your brain and body talk to each other. This can lead to imbalances in muscle tone, restricted movement, and even changes in how your organs function or how hormones and chemicals are produced. Many of these changes occur silently, without pain, yet still limit your body’s potential to heal, grow, and thrive.
At Handcrafted Chiropractic, we focus on restoring proper communication between your brain and body—gently and precisely. Through chiropractic care, we support your body’s innate ability to self-regulate, heal, and adapt, using the spine as our pathway.
We believe true health begins from the inside out. And we’re here to support you every step of the way.
What do I get out of it?
What Can You Expect from Chiropractic Care?
Every person’s healing journey is unique—but many people report meaningful improvements across multiple aspects of life after chiropractic care. These benefits often go far beyond just pain relief.
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Common outcomes include:
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✨ Increased energy and vitality
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🤸 Improved flexibility, strength, and coordination
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🧍 Better posture and spinal alignment
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⚙️ Greater overall body function
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😊 Enhanced emotional well-being and resilience
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💆 Reduced muscle tension and physical stress
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🧠 Sharper focus and mental clarity
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💤 Deeper, more restful sleep
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📈 Improved productivity and physical performance
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🌿 Better ability to manage daily stressors
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🛡️ Reduced risk of spinal degeneration
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💡 Relief from pain and symptoms where appropriate
At Handcrafted Chiropractic, we don’t chase symptoms—we support your body’s natural ability to thrive.
What causes a vertebral subluxation?
What Is a Vertebral Subluxation?
In chiropractic care, a vertebral subluxation refers to a misalignment or dysfunction of one or more vertebrae in the spine. These disruptions can interfere with how your brain and body communicate, affecting overall health—even if no pain is present.
Subluxations can develop from a variety of stressors, including:
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Physical Trauma – Accidents, falls, or injuries that jolt or strain the spine.
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Poor Posture – Slouching, prolonged sitting, or awkward sleeping positions can slowly shift spinal alignment.
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Repetitive Motion – Repeating the same movement or lifting pattern can wear down balance and coordination over time.
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Emotional Stress – Mental and emotional tension often shows up in the body as muscular tightness, especially in the spine and shoulders.
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Nutritional Deficiencies – Lack of essential nutrients can compromise the strength and resilience of muscles and joints.
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Environmental Toxins – Exposure to chemicals or pollutants may contribute to inflammation or dysfunction in the body’s structural systems.
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Genetic & Developmental Factors – Some people are born with spinal or skeletal predispositions that can lead to subluxations.
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Systemic Inflammation – Chronic inflammation can impact spinal tissues and joint integrity.
Chiropractors are trained to assess and gently correct these subluxations through specific adjustments.
The goal?
To restore the natural flow of communication within your nervous system—supporting your body’s innate ability to heal, adapt, and thrive.
What is a chiropractic adjustment?
A chiropractic adjustment is a gentle, manual procedure performed by a trained and licensed chiropractor to restore proper alignment and movement within the spine and musculoskeletal system.
At Handcrafted Chiropractic, our goal is to correct what we call vertebral subluxations—subtle misalignments or restrictions in the spine that may interfere with your body’s natural ability to function, heal, and thrive.
What Happens During an Adjustment?
The process is simple, precise, and tailored to your body’s needs:
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Comprehensive Evaluation
We begin with a detailed review of your health history, a physical examination, and (if needed) spinal imaging to assess the alignment and condition of your spine. -
Comfortable Positioning
You’ll be guided into a comfortable position on a specialised chiropractic table, depending on which area is being adjusted. -
Gentle, Specific Adjustment
Using hands or a specialised instrument, your chiropractor will apply a quick, controlled force to a targeted joint or vertebra. You may hear a popping sound—this is simply the release of gas bubbles from the joint, similar to cracking your knuckles. -
Post-Adjustment Support
After your adjustment, we’ll offer guidance on posture, movement, and lifestyle choices to help integrate the changes and prevent future imbalances.
Why Get Adjusted?
Chiropractic adjustments are designed to:
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Restore nerve flow
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Improve spinal and joint mobility
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Reduce pain and muscle tension
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Support better posture and alignment
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Boost overall vitality and function
They are commonly used to address issues like back pain, neck pain, headaches, joint discomfort, and even stress-related tension—helping your body perform at its best, from the inside out.
What happens during my first visit?
When you book an appointment at Handcrafted Chiropractic, you’ll receive an email confirmation along with a link to complete our online intake forms. These forms take about 5 minutes and must be completed prior to your visit to help us prepare for your care.
On Arrival
You’ll be warmly welcomed by our friendly team and made to feel right at home.
We’ll sit down with you to discuss the reason for your visit and gather any other important details about your current and past health.
Your Examination
Once we understand your concerns, we’ll move into a comprehensive physical examination, which may include:
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Spinal and postural assessment
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Orthopaedic and neurological testing
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Functional movement testing
If needed, we’ll refer you for additional imaging or tests to ensure we have the full picture.
Your Handcrafted Care Plan
Based on your results, we’ll explain our findings and create a care plan tailored to your specific needs—designed to support your body’s healing from the inside out.
Injured? ACC could help
If you've been injured here in New Zealand and meet ACC criteria, you're likely eligible for support with your chiropractic care.
✅ No GP referral needed – we can handle the paperwork and submit the claim directly on your behalf.
💼 ACC covers a portion of your care – a co-payment will still apply.
We’re here to make the process easy so you can focus on healing. If you're unsure whether your injury qualifies, feel free to reach out—we’re happy to help guide you.
Health Insurance?
Some health insurance providers do cover chiropractic care, but coverage can vary depending on your policy.
We recommend checking directly with your insurer to confirm what’s included in your plan.
💳 Payment is required in full at the time of your appointment at Handcrafted Chiropractic.
📧 You’ll receive an emailed receipt after your visit, which you can use to submit a claim with your insurance provider.
If you have any questions, we’re happy to assist where we can.
How to reduce the risks of subluxations
While some causes of spinal misalignment (vertebral subluxation) are unavoidable, many can be reduced or prevented with simple lifestyle adjustments.
Common Avoidable Causes Include:
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Poor posture (especially while sitting or using digital devices)
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Unsupportive mattress or incorrect pillow height
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An improperly set-up workspace or desk
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Wearing high heels regularly
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Dehydration
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Improper lifting techniques
Your chiropractor can help you identify and correct these everyday stressors with personalised advice.
Support Your Spine With Healthy Habits:
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Regular movement and exercise
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Gentle stretching and mobility work
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A balanced, nutrient-rich diet
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Adequate sleep and rest
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Positive mindset and emotional well-being
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Effective stress management techniques
It’s important to remember that not all stressors are within your control. Physical knocks, emotional stress, and environmental challenges can still impact your spine—even if you’re doing everything right.
That’s why we recommend regular chiropractic check-ups, even if you’re not in pain. These visits help keep your spine functioning well and your nervous system clear—so your body can continue to adapt, heal, and thrive.