Every day at Auckland Wellness Centre we see patients who arrive at their first appointment carrying a mix of hope and anxiety. They’ve been putting up with back pain, neck stiffness, or headaches for weeks — sometimes years — and they finally decided to do something about it. The nerves are understandable. Chiropractic is different from a GP visit, and the unfamiliar can feel daunting.

The good news is that by the end of this article, you’ll know exactly what will happen from the moment you walk through our door. No surprises. No guesswork. Just a clear picture of what a professional chiropractic assessment looks and feels like.

1. Before Your Visit

What to Wear

Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing that allows easy movement. Gym wear, trackpants, or casual clothes are ideal. Your chiropractor will need to assess your posture, spine, and range of motion, so tight jeans or formal business attire can make the examination a little awkward. You do not need to undress fully — most assessments are done fully clothed.

What to Bring

• Any relevant imaging you already have — X-rays, MRI scans, or CT scans (digital or printed)
• A list of any medications or supplements you are currently taking
• Your ACC claim number if you have one (from a work injury, accident, or fall)
• Your NHI number if you know it (helpful for ACC lodgements)
• Notes on your symptoms: when they started, what makes them worse, and what gives you relief

How to Book

You can book your first appointment online at booking.mananotes.co.nz/AWC, by calling us on 09 600 1939, or by walking in. ACC patients are welcome to walk in during business hours for urgent or acute injuries.

2. The Consultation (15–30 Minutes)

Once you’re settled in the treatment room, your chiropractor will sit down with you for a thorough health history discussion. This is not a quick clipboard exercise — it’s a genuine conversation that helps us understand not just your pain, but you as a person.

Nothing you share is judged. The more honest and detailed you are, the more targeted and effective your care will be.

3. The Examination

After the consultation, your chiropractor will conduct a structured physical examination. At Auckland Wellness Centre, we use both hands-on clinical testing and digital posture analysis software — a combination that gives us a highly accurate picture of what’s happening in your spine and joints.

Posture Assessment

You’ll stand naturally while we take a standardised posture photo. Our digital analysis software identifies postural imbalances — such as head-forward position, pelvic tilt, or shoulder unevenness — that often contribute to pain but are invisible to the naked eye. These photos become a baseline to track your improvement over time.

Range of Motion Testing

We’ll ask you to move through a series of motions — bending forward, backwards, rotating left and right. We observe how far you can move, whether movement is smooth or restricted, and where you feel pain or stiffness. This tells us which joints and muscle groups are affected.

Neurological Screening

If there is any suspicion of nerve involvement — for example, tingling or numbness in the arms or legs, or sharp radiating pain — we will test your reflexes and sensation using simple, painless tests. This helps us determine whether the nerve root is compressed and where.

Orthopaedic Tests

Depending on your specific complaint, we’ll run targeted orthopaedic tests. These are standardised clinical tests that help us identify the source of your pain — disc, joint, muscle, or ligament. For lower back pain, for instance, we may perform straight-leg raise tests or Kemp’s test. For neck pain, we might use Spurling’s test.

X-rays — Are They Always Needed?

No. X-rays are only taken when clinically indicated. They are particularly useful for ruling out fractures after trauma, assessing degenerative changes in older patients, or evaluating structural spinal conditions such as scoliosis. Many patients, especially younger adults with soft-tissue complaints, do not require imaging at their first visit. Your chiropractor will tell you clearly whether X-rays are recommended and why.

4. The Report of Findings

Once the examination is complete, your chiropractor will sit down with you again and explain everything they found in plain language — no jargon, no confusion. This is called the Report of Findings, and it is one of the most important parts of your first visit.

• Diagnosis: What is actually causing your pain or restriction, explained clearly with visual aids where helpful
• Treatment plan: How many visits are recommended, at what frequency, and why
• Expected outcomes: What improvement to expect and over what time frame
• Cost breakdown: What your treatment will cost under ACC vs private, with no surprises
• Co-management: Whether a referral to another specialist (GP, physio, surgeon) is appropriate

You are always in control. No treatment will begin without your informed consent, and you are free to ask questions at any stage.

5. Your First Treatment

If it is clinically appropriate, your chiropractor will perform your first treatment on the same day as your initial consultation. This is the case for most patients.

The Chiropractic Adjustment — What Is That Cracking Sound?

The most well-known chiropractic technique is the spinal adjustment (also called spinal manipulation). Your chiropractor applies a precise, controlled force to a specific spinal joint that is restricted or misaligned. The sound you sometimes hear is not bones cracking — it is the release of gas (mainly nitrogen) from the fluid inside the joint. It is the same mechanism as when you crack your knuckles.

An adjustment should not be painful. Most patients describe it as a feeling of pressure followed by immediate relief or a sense of “release”. If you are anxious about the sound or the sensation, tell your chiropractor beforehand — there are gentle techniques that achieve similar results without any cavitation (popping sound) at all.

Other Techniques We Use

• Soft tissue therapy: Targeted massage and myofascial release to relax tight muscles and fascia before or after adjustments
• Spinal decompression: A gentle traction-based therapy particularly effective for disc bulges, herniated discs, and sciatica
• Active Release Technique (ART): A patented soft-tissue system for treating scar tissue and overuse injuries, especially in athletes
• Rehabilitation exercises: Specific exercises prescribed to stabilise the spine and support your recovery between visits
• Dry needling / acupuncture: Available from our team of ACC-registered acupuncturists for trigger point release and pain management

6. After Your Visit

Normal Reactions

Most patients feel better immediately or within a few hours. A smaller proportion experience mild soreness or fatigue for one to two days. Both responses are completely normal. Staying well-hydrated after your adjustment helps your body flush out metabolic waste released from treated tissues.

What to Avoid for 24 Hours

• Heavy lifting or strenuous exercise on the day of your adjustment
• Prolonged sitting in a single position (take regular movement breaks)
• Activities that triggered or dramatically worsen your pain

When to Contact the Clinic

Please call us on 09 600 1939 if you experience:

• Sharp, worsening pain that does not settle within 48 hours
• New or worsening numbness or tingling in your limbs
• Loss of bladder or bowel control (seek emergency care immediately)
• Any other reaction that concerns you — there are no silly questions

Scheduling Follow-ups

Your chiropractor will recommend a follow-up schedule based on your individual needs. For acute injuries, visits are typically spaced every 2–3 days initially, then gradually reduce in frequency as you improve. Consistency is important, especially in the early phase of care — skipping appointments can slow recovery and allow the spine to revert to its previous compensatory patterns.

7. ACC vs Private — What’s the Difference?

New Zealand’s ACC (Accident Compensation Corporation) scheme is one of the most comprehensive injury insurance systems in the world. If you’ve had an accident — at work, on the road, during sport, or even at home — ACC may cover a significant portion of your chiropractic care.

Feature	ACC Cover	Private
Requires accident or injury?	Yes — must be an injury	No — open to all
Who lodges the claim?	Your chiropractor (ACC45 form)	Not applicable
Initial consultation	$40 surcharge only	$105
Follow-up visit	$40	$70
Scope of care	Injury-related treatment	Broader — including wellness, prevention, chronic conditions
Requires GP referral?	No	No

Not sure if your condition qualifies for ACC? Give us a call on 09 600 1939 before your appointment and one of our team will help you figure out your eligibility. We lodge ACC claims every day and can often give you a clear answer in a couple of minutes.

8. Frequently Asked Questions