Armadale Chiropractic Centre - Health & Wellness

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Your Clinic

The Michael & David Chiropractic Group is a father and son practice providing chiropractic care in two locations in Armadale and Lower Templestowe, Melbourne.

“We provide quality chiropractic care to the families of our community with a focus on children’s health.”

Your Chiropractor

Dr Michael Black (Chiropractor)

Michael Black graduated in 1983 from Melbourne’s Phillip Institute of Technology School of Chiropractic (now RMIT). He travelled overseas and practised Chiropractic on a kibbutz in Israel for his first year joining a medical and physiotherapy team. This experience paved his way of thinking for years to come in forming multi-disciplinary health care teams.In 1985, on his return to Australia, he worked with RMIT as a student teaching clinician before setting up two practices in Armadale and Lower Templestowe.

Your Chiropractor

Dr David Black (Chiropractor)

David Black started his career in health care as a pharmacist. David was in pharmacy practice for 23 years when he decided to make a sea change of his life and went back to studies. He had always been deeply interested in the concept of natural medicine and he had a strong belief that the body could heal itself, given the right conditions. This belief fitted exactly with the philosophy of chiropractic. He graduated as a Doctor of Chiropractic 20 years ago and has been busy in both clinics since.

Our Philosophy

Our approach is simple. We believe that health is amongst our most valuable possessions. And while we generally meet people after they’ve lost their health, our commitment is two-fold.

1.Relief Care

2.Wellness Care

Chiropractic is widely recognised as one of the safest drug-free, non-invasive therapies available for the treatment of back pain, neck pain, joint pain of the arms or legs, headaches, and other neuromusculoskeletal complaints.

Although chiropractic has an excellent safety record, no health treatment is completely free of potential adverse effects.

What is Chiropractic

The risks associated with chiropractic, however, are very small. Many patients feel immediate relief following chiropractic treatment, but some may sometimes experience mild soreness or aching, just as they do after some forms of exercise. Current literature shows that minor discomfort or soreness following spinal manipulation typically fades within 24 hours.


In addition to being a safe form of treatment, spinal manipulation is incredibly effective, getting patients back on their feet faster than traditional medical care. A March 2004 study in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics found that chiropractic care is more effective than medical care at treating chronic low-back pain in those patients who have been experiencing the symptoms for one year or less.


In addition, a study published in the July 15, 2003, edition of the journal Spine found that manual manipulation provides better short-term relief of chronic spinal pain than a variety of medications.


Chiropractic Care Is For Everyone…

If you think of the brain as a central computer that controls all bodily functions, then the nervous system is like a network that relays messages back and forth from the brain to different parts of the body. It does this via the spinal cord, which runs from the brain down through the back and contains threadlike nerves that branch out to every organ and body part.

Anatomy of the Nervous System

When a message comes into the brain from anywhere in the body, the brain tells the body how to react. For example, if you accidentally touch a hot stove, the nerves in your skin shoot a message of pain to your brain. The brain then sends a message back telling the muscles in your hand to pull away. Luckily, this neurological relay race takes a lot less time than it just took to read about it.


Considering everything it does, the human brain is incredibly compact, weighing just 1.38 kilograms. Its many folds and grooves, though, provide it with the additional surface area necessary for storing all of the body's important information.The spinal cord, on the other hand, is a long bundle of nerve tissue about 46cm long and 2cm thick. It extends from the lower part of the brain down through spine. Along the way, various nerves branch out to the entire body. These are called the peripheral nervous system.


Both the brain and the spinal cord are protected by bone: the brain by the bones of the skull, and the spinal cord by a set of ring-shaped bones called vertebrae. They're both cushioned by layers of membranes called meninges as well as a special fluid called cerebrospinal fluid. This fluid helps protect the nerve tissue, keep it healthy, and remove waste products.



PostureMaintaining good posture will help prevent aches and pains. Make sure your computer workstation and driving position are set up correctly for your height, and change positions regularly.Your chiropractor will be able to give you advice about carrying out tasks that are repetitive or strenuous. Activities such as yoga and Pilates (exercises that strengthen your core abdominal muscles) will help you to relax, become more aware of your body and improve your posture.

Prevent Lower Back PainTo avoid back pain, you must reduce excess stresses and strains on your back and ensure that your back is strong and supple.

How you sit, stand and lie down can have an important effect on your back. Your Chiropractor will be able to help you maintain a good posture.

Did You Know?The lumbar spine of the human is made up of five lumbar vertebrae that are separated by five intervertebral discs. The discs may be thought of as spinal shock absorbers, for they absorb the load (axial load) of the body. They also allow for movements such as flexion, extension, and rotation at the waist as they act as a pivot point for the trunk to twist upon.There are 23 discs in the human spine: 6 in the neck (cervical region), 12 in the middle back (thoracic region), and 5 in the lower back (lumbar region).


What is a Vertebral Subluxation?A vertebral subluxation is a spinal abnormality that interferes with your nerves. It can create dis-ease, lowered resistance to disease, pain, imbalance, fatigue and can pave the way for ill health. It is sometimes called the "silent killer" because it can slowly eat away at your health and vitality for years without your having the slightest awareness of it.

Doctors of chiropractic specialise in locating, analysing and correcting vertebral subluxations.

Causes of SubluxationsSubluxations are caused by stress: macro-stress (accidents, falls, sports injuries and other trauma) or micro-stress (repeated movements that gradually wear down your body parts, bad posture, dental work and emotional stress which can cause chronic tension).

Subluxations can occur from a difficult birth and from childhood falls. It is for that reason that infants and children need spinal care; many neurological and other health problems have been traced to spinal damage at birth.


What Causes the Sound?

That sound is not your spine "cracking" or "popping" like most people think. That sound is created by gas (in this case, nitrogen) rushing in to fill the partial vacuum created when the joints are slightly separated. Another example of this phenomenon would be the "pop" sound you hear when the cork is taken out of a champagne bottle. Not all chiropractic adjusting techniques produce this noise. In fact, some adjusting techniques use little force and thus produce no noise at all.

Chiropractic Adjustments

The goal of the chiropractic adjustment is to correct the spinal subluxations detected during the examination. To do that, the doctor applies pressure to the bone and "unlocks" it from its improper position. The bone will then be free to align itself correctly.Many people think that the chiropractor forces a vertebra back into its "proper" place. But only the individual's own Innate Intelligence knows for sure what the proper place for each bone is. The role of the chiropractor is to free up the vertebrae. Then, the body can do its job and put them back in the correct position.

Chiropractic Adjustments

Unfortunately, the muscles connected to subluxated vertebrae get used to their positions and have a tendency to pull the bone back out of place. It may take several adjustments before the adjustment "holds," and the bone settles into its proper alignment.

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Treatment Techniques

We use a number of highly-effective adjusting approaches to help improve spinal biomechanics and reduce nervous system interference. The approach we use is based on our clinical judgment and years of experience.1.Activator2.Diversified3.Gonstead

Activator Methods

We use one of the most popular “low force” chiropractic techniques in the world.

The Activator Methods® Adjusting Instrument is a handheld spring-loaded tool that delivers a consistent low-force, high-speed thrust. Because it’s many times faster than adjustments delivered by hand, the body rarely tightens to resist, making adjustments comfortable and effective. It’s also helpful for adjusting elbows, wrists, knees and other joints of the body.

Treatment Techniques

GONSTEADThe Gonstead Technique is acknowledged as one of the safest systems of evaluating and caring for the spine and it named after its developer, Dr Clarence Gonstead.

DIVERSIFIEDAgain this is a manual technique, and is the more common technique ofchiropractic adjusting recognised around the world. Diversified isoften used to treat specific areas or conditions.

Chiropractic Adjustments – Will It Hurt?

Because most adjusting techniques emphasize using minimal force and gentle pressure, few patients feel any discomfort during the adjustment. Many, however, will hear popping sounds. But there's no need for concern. There's nothing breaking. The noises you hear are just tiny pockets of gas releasing with a pop, which is completely normal.

Chiropractic Adjustments – Will It Hurt?

With or without noises, your adjustment should be completely pain free. Some patients, particularly if they are tense, involuntarily stiffen and resist the adjustment. At these times, they may feel slight discomfort until they learn to relax.Once you get used to the noises -- if there are any -- you may associate them with "good" adjustments. However, be aware that in time, these noises may lessen or disappear completely. When this happens, it doesn't mean the adjustment has stopped "working." It only means that normal flexibility is returning to the affected vertebrae.


Chiropractic For Babies

Paediatric chiropractic, or chiropractic for small children, is new to some.Perhaps the biggest misconception that people have is that chiropractic is all about back pain and 'crunch and crack'! Nothing could be further from the truth.Paediatric chiropractic is first and foremost safe and very gentle. It is all about assisting the newborn, infant and the older child, to function to the best of their ability.

Chiropractic For Babies

The initial consultation includes an examination and information about expected development for the child's age or 'developmental milestones'. Compromise to the neuromuscular system can impair normal development and thus chiropractic paediatric care can have a profound effect on how a child thrives.

Chiropractic For Children

Parents will do just about anything to protect their child's health. They serve nutritionally balanced meals, encourage daily exercise, and insist on regular dental and eye examinations. Yet many neglect the most important part of the child's health care program: regular spinal checkups.

Kids Will Be Kids

Of course, the strain on the spine doesn't stop in the delivery room. Children are, by nature, active and energetic. They run, jump, tumble and fall. Since their bodies are extremely flexible and resilient, they often will show nothing more than a bruise or scrape after life's minor accidents.But that's on the outside. On the inside, the body has been jarred with considerable force. The small bones forming the spinal column which protects the central nervous system's spinal cord can be forced out of their proper positions.

Kids Will Be Kids

Some will return to the correct position on their own, guided by the child's own Innate Intelligence. Others will remain "stuck" in incorrect positions.

Massage TherapyRemedial Massage is a form of assessment and treatment of soft tissue in the body. The primary aim of Remedial Massage is to restore muscular movement and alleviate chronic pain or tension.

The Remedial Massage treatment includes hands-on therapy, assisted stretching and may include education on self-management procedures including postural awareness and self-stretching exercises.

Massage Therapy

It is our experience that deep tissue massage and trigger-point therapy complements chiropractic care.

Benefits of Remedial Massage include general pain relief, reduction of physical tension and stress, increased recovery from injuries, potential quick return to your normal activities and restoration of movement.

Your Massage Therapist

Our massage therapist, Fathma Nachiar, promotes general well-being using remedial and sports massage techniques. Massage encourages the body’s natural healing abilities by increasing circulation and releasing trigger points.

Our therapists use a wide range of techniques to treat soft tissue strains and conditions like postural strain, muscle tension, low back and neck pain, headaches, sports injuries, overuse and work injuries.

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HypnotherapyHypnotherapy is a form of psychological therapy and counselling used to treat emotional and psychological disorders and instead promote personal development.

Hypnotherapy is an altered state of awareness. In this altered state unwanted ways of thinking and behaviours may be transformed to a desired way.

Hypnotherapy sessions take place in a conversational setting allowing youto unlock your true potential.

HypnotherapyBenefits of Hypnotherapy are:•Improved focus and concentration•Heightened self-awareness•More self-confidence•Improved overall health•Reduced anxiety

What is NLP?NLP stands for Neuro Linguistic Programming and is a form of psychotherapy focusing on communication and personal development.

Similar to the chiropractic belief, NLP sees a connection between neurological processes and the body, in particular your language and behaviour.

NLP has found great application in areas such as Sales and Personal Development.

NLP – A Path to ExcellenceTreatment with NLP may be applied in the following areas:•Phobias•Depression•Habit Disorder•Psychosomatic Illnesses•Allergies•Learning Disorders•Breaking Patterns•Building Confidence

Your TherapistJack Shearer Hypnotherapist & NLP Master Trainer

Jack is an award winning international speaker and trainer whodraws on skills learned from the masters in NLP, his stagecraft in his performances as a magician plus the experience of his martial arts training. As a student with Jack, you can learn valuable lessons from these experiences and skills. Your learning will benefit, opening doors to new skills which allow you to walk your talk. So you can now embrace actual skill development and integrate theseskills into your daily routine with confidence.

NaturopathyNaturopathy evolved out of the ancient healing traditions of Europe, with its roots firmly grounded in early Greek medical philosophy.

Naturopathy is increasingly being recognised by mainstream medicine as a valuable and effective system for treating a variety of disorders.

NaturopathyNaturopathy is guided by six foundational principles…

•The healing power of nature

•First do no harm

•Find and treat the cause, not only the symptom

•Always treat the whole person, not only their disease

•Education

•Prevention

Your NaturopathErin has a passion for women’s health from adolescence to mature age, supporting hormonal and reproductive health through all stages of life.Erin’s holistic approach to health and wellness, addresses physical, mental, emotional, spiritual and social dimensions to achieve health.Erin believes in supporting individuals through change at a rate best suited to each client to ensure success in achieving their health goals.She believes in dedication to sustainability, the environment and protecting resources, prescribing foods, lifestyle and supplements that are kind to our planet and ourselves.

Your NaturopathErin has a special interest in women's health and hormone problems, fertility and pregnancy support as well as nutrition and general wellness

KinesiologyKinesiology is a therapy designed to help reduce and remove stress. Kinesiology combined with holistic counselling can help you to achieve a greater sense of confidence, balance and health.

Kinesiology therapy assesses and treats every individual based on their personal genetic make-up coupled with the effects of their environmental and life experiences.

KinesiologyKinesiology is holistic therapy. It treats body, mind and spirit; uncovering the underlying causes behind emotional stress, illness and injury.

Kinesiology can be effective on many levels (e.g., physical, biochemical, emotional, energetic, spiritual). The purpose of kinesiology therapy is to remove and balance the effects stress in it’s many and varied forms.

Your KinesiologistKristen Ross has been a Kinesiology practitioner for over 8 years and she graduated from Australia’s first Kinesiology College, The College of Complementary Medicine in 2006.

Kristen has been lucky enough to study kinesiology with some of the pioneers of modern kinesiology including Charles Krebs PHD.

Armadale PhysiotherapyPhysiotherapy is a health care profession primarily concerned with the remediation of impairments and disabilities and the promotion of mobility, functional ability, quality of life and movement potential through examination, evaluation, diagnosis and physical intervention.

Physiotherapy (physical therapy) aims to restore proper functioning to the body or, in the case of permanent disease or injury, to reduce the impact of any dysfunction.

Armadale PhysiotherapyPhysiotherapy is an effective form of treatment for a wide range of conditions. It can also help to speed recovery after many different types of surgery. Physiotherapists are trained in a range of specialist areas such as children’s health (paediatrics), sports medicine or women’s health.A physiotherapist works to improve your mobility and health and to reduce the risk of injuries. In many cases, an injury is caused by a range of factors working together.

Your PhysiotherapistTiffany Seddon completed her Masters of Physiotherapy degree at the University of Sydney, after spending 2 years living in London and travelling around Europe. She has also previously completed a Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science at Deakin University with Distinction.

Tiffany has a keen interest in active rehabilitation for improving health and well-being. She has a particular passion for sporting injuries and the importance of good posture for optimal health

Baby MassageParents are discovering that massage can help their child settle, sleep better, reduce crying and relieve problems such as wind, colic, constipation, reflux and eczema. It even helps reduce post-natal depression!

Massage is more than just relaxation. Learning the right massage techniques from a qualified instructor will teach you everything you need to know – a skill for life.

Baby MassageBaby massage is gentle, rhythmic stroking of your baby’s body with your hands. You can use oils or a moisturiser to help your hands to glide smoothly over your baby’s skin. As part of your massage routine, you can gently manipulate your baby’s ankles, wrists and fingers. You can talk softly, hum or sing to your baby while you are massaging, which may make it more reassuring for your baby.

Your Baby Massage SpecialistJulie Van Nispen is our infant massage classes instructor and we commenced classes at our Armadale Clinic in Sept 2014. Regular classes will be held in small, intimate groups by Julie with each course held over 4 weeks.

Being a massage therapist my love for holistic health inspired me to become a Certified Infant Massage Instructor so that I can introduce the many benefits of natural and holistic alternatives to healthcare to parents and babies alike and hopefully inspire them to carry this knowledge to the whole family.

Armadale FertilityEveryone wants to give their children the best start in life, which is why pre-conception care is the best place to start when you are thinking about starting a family, because it is truly preventative healthcare at its best.

We believe that healthy people make healthy babies, because the DNA and the health of your’s and your partner’s egg and sperm form the building blocks of your baby’s health

Armadale FertilityPreconception care is not however a new idea. Many traditional societies practiced preconception health care, such as the Ancient Greeks and Romans whose conceiving couples abstained from alcohol prior to and during pregnancy due to its damaging effects on the development of the foetus.Research clearly shows that environmental, general health and lifestyle factors can have a significant impact on your fertility, your pregnancy and the health of your unborn child.

Armadale FertilityInna Mitelman is a naturopath, an educator, a writer and a presenter.

Inna is experienced in treating a wide range of health concerns, including mental, digestive and respiratory conditions. She also has a particular interest in reproductive health, and has postgraduate qualifications in natural fertility management. Currently she is completing her Masters in Reproductive Medicine at the University of New South Wales

Health & Medicine

Armadale Chiropractic Centre - Health & Wellness