What we help with
- Back and neck pain and stiffness, including the everyday wear and tear of osteoarthritis in the spine.
- Hip, knee and shoulder discomfort that limits walking, stairs and reaching.
- Reduced mobility: feeling stiffer, slower and less confident on your feet.
- Recovery after a fall or a minor injury, once anything serious has been ruled out.
Some conditions change how we treat, and some mean we should not treat until your doctor has looked: osteoporosis, recent fractures, certain medications, inflammatory arthritis and cancer history among them. This is why the history at your first appointment matters so much.
What happens at your first appointment
Your first appointment takes about 30 to 40 minutes. It includes:
- Your history. Your health conditions, previous injuries and operations, bone density if you know it, any falls, and what you want to be able to do more comfortably.
- A physical examination paced to you: how your spine and joints move, strength, balance, and neurological checks where relevant.
- Posture analysis, which can also show changes in the curve of the upper back.
- An explanation of what we found and a plan that is realistic for you.
- Your first treatment, when clinically appropriate, using techniques chosen for your bone health and comfort.
Bring a list of your medications and conditions if you can. With your permission we are happy to keep your GP informed.
How we treat older adults
- Gentle, low-force techniques, including instrument-assisted adjusting and mobilisation, rather than forceful manipulation. Where bone density is reduced, manipulation is modified or avoided.
- Soft tissue work for stiff, tight muscles.
- Simple strength and balance exercises. Staying strong and steady is the single most useful thing for staying independent, and we encourage community strength and balance classes alongside our care.
- Practical advice on chairs, beds, getting up and down, footwear and daily routines.
Regular appointments are shorter, and a concession rate is available for seniors.
When to get it looked at
Stiffness that eases as you get moving is normal. Pain that is getting worse, that wakes you at night, that follows a fall, or that comes with numbness or weakness needs assessment, and some of it should go to your GP first.
- A fall followed by inability to stand or walk, or sudden severe back pain if you have osteoporosis (possible fracture).
- Back pain with fever, unexplained weight loss, or a history of cancer.
- New numbness or weakness in the legs, difficulty walking, or changes in bladder or bowel control.
- Chest pain, shortness of breath, or a sudden severe headache.
What the research says
We keep our claims to what the research supports, and we will tell you when something else, such as a physiotherapy-led programme, is the better option. See the research we rely on.
ACC for older adults
Injuries from falls and accidents are covered by ACC at any age, including for retirees. We can lodge a claim at your first appointment or see you under an existing one.