What to Look for in a North Shore Auckland Chiropractor

Choosing a chiropractor is a meaningful health decision. These are the criteria worth checking before you book.

Are the practitioners NZCC-registered?

In New Zealand, chiropractors must be registered with the New Zealand Chiropractic Council (NZCC). Registration requires completion of a full Doctor of Chiropractic degree programme. All three AWC chiropractors hold NZCC registration. You can verify any practitioner's registration on the NZCC public register.

Do they offer structural correction or only symptom relief?

There is a meaningful difference between adjustments aimed at short-term pain relief and care programmes that address the underlying postural or structural cause. At AWC, Dr. Michael Blandy is certified in Chiropractic BioPhysics (CBP) — an evidence-based method that uses digital posture analysis, X-ray assessment, and the Denneroll 3D Traction System to correct spinal curves over time. This approach is particularly relevant for forward head posture, tech-neck, kyphosis, and scoliosis.

Does the clinic have disc-specific technology?

Disc herniation and bulging disc are among the most common reasons North Shore residents seek chiropractic care. Not all clinics carry spinal decompression equipment. AWC uses the Win Trac 100 — a computer-controlled traction system that creates gentle decompressive forces across targeted spinal segments, reducing pressure on herniated or bulging discs and on compressed nerve roots. Dr. Jun, who specialises in non-surgical disc care, operates this system.

Is there an integrated team for complex presentations?

Some conditions — such as chronic lower back pain complicated by stress, insomnia, or inflammation — respond better to a combination of chiropractic and acupuncture than to either alone. AWC operates as a fully integrated centre, meaning your chiropractor and acupuncturist can coordinate your care. Dr. Robin Won PhD, AWC's acupuncture specialist with 26 years of clinical experience, manages complex musculoskeletal, internal medicine, and chronic pain presentations.

Is the clinic genuinely multilingual?

Many North Shore residents prefer to discuss health matters in Korean or Mandarin. AWC's Korean-speaking practitioners include Dr. Jun, Dr. Brian Bae, Dr. Robin Won, and Mike Lee. Mandarin-speaking practitioners include Ada Zhong and Elaine Yang. Korean patients can reach the clinic via KakaoTalk ID: AWC2013.

Chiropractic and Allied Health Services at Auckland Wellness Centre

AWC provides chiropractic care as part of a broader integrated service offering. Each service below links to a dedicated clinical page with full detail.

What does a standard chiropractic appointment involve?

Your first chiropractic visit at AWC follows a structured five-step process:

1. Consultation — detailed case history: understanding your pain pattern, history of injury or onset
2. Digital posture and nerve assessment — photographic posture analysis, orthopaedic and neurological testing
3. X-ray analysis (where clinically indicated) — AWC has on-site X-ray capability for cases requiring detailed spinal imaging
4. Report of Findings — your chiropractor explains findings in plain language with a before-and-after tracking framework
5. Tailored treatment — spinal adjustment, soft tissue work via ART, decompression, and home-care instructions begin at the first or second visit

Conditions routinely treated include back pain, neck pain, sciatica, disc bulge and herniation, posture problems, headaches related to cervical dysfunction, and sports injuries. See the full chiropractic service page.

What is spinal decompression and who needs it?

Spinal decompression therapy is a non-surgical approach to disc-related pain. Using the Win Trac 100 system, the chiropractor applies a precise, motorised traction force to the lumbar or cervical spine. This creates a negative intradiscal pressure, allowing bulging or herniated disc material to retract away from the nerve root.

Spinal decompression is particularly relevant for patients with disc herniation, disc bulge, sciatica, or chronic lower back pain who have not responded to standard adjustments alone — or who are seeking a non-surgical alternative. Dr. Jun treats this patient group and holds 12 years of clinical experience with disc presentations.

A patient came to AWC after being advised by a medical specialist to have spinal surgery. They chose instead to complete a non-surgical spinal decompression protocol at AWC. Following the course of treatment, the patient experienced significant pain reduction and returned to their normal daily activities — avoiding surgery altogether. (Case drawn from AWC clinical records. Individual results vary.)

Learn more on the spinal decompression therapy page.

What is Chiropractic BioPhysics (CBP) and posture correction?

CBP is one of the most evidence-referenced chiropractic techniques available. It moves beyond pain relief to focus on restoring the measurable spinal curves that allow optimal nerve function and load distribution. Dr. Michael Blandy, AWC's Sports and Posture Chiropractor with 20 years of clinical experience and a background as a former national representative mountain biker, is CBP-certified and trained in Denneroll 3D Traction.

Patients who benefit most from CBP-based posture correction include those with tech-neck, cervical curve loss associated with recurring headaches, kyphosis, and scoliosis. AWC tracks posture change with digital before-and-after analysis so measurable progress is visible throughout the care plan.

A patient at AWC was suffering from severe tech-neck and debilitating chronic tension headaches. After three months of structural correction with digital posture tracking, their cervical curve improved significantly and they reported being free from chronic headaches. (Case drawn from AWC clinical records. Individual results vary.)

Full detail on the posture correction page.

Does AWC treat sports injuries? What is TPI certification?

AWC offers sports chiropractic led by Dr. Jun, who holds TPI (Titleist Performance Institute) certification at Level 1, Medical Level 2, Fitness Level 2, and Power Level 2 — one of the most comprehensive TPI certifications available in New Zealand. TPI certification qualifies Dr. Jun to assess how the body moves during a golf swing and to identify musculoskeletal limitations that reduce performance or cause injury. This is relevant for golfers experiencing lower back pain, hip restriction, shoulder pain, or wrist and elbow issues related to their game.

Beyond golf, the AWC sports service covers ACC-eligible treatment for soft tissue injuries, sprains, strains, and rehabilitation. Active Release Technique (ART) — a hands-on method for breaking down adhesions and restoring movement in muscles, tendons, and nerves — is available at AWC, where Dr. Jun holds ART certification.

See the sports chiropractic and golf TPI page for full detail.

Is acupuncture available alongside chiropractic care?

Yes. AWC has four CMCNZ-registered acupuncturists available for co-managed care. Dr. Robin Won PhD holds a Doctorate in Traditional Chinese Medicine from Sangji University and has 26 years of clinical experience. He is AWC's acupuncture specialist and treats musculoskeletal conditions, internal medicine presentations, chronic pain, insomnia, stress, frozen shoulder, and women's health and fertility concerns.

For patients whose back pain, neck pain, or headaches have not fully resolved with chiropractic care alone, integrating acupuncture can address inflammatory, neurological, and systemic factors that spinal adjustment does not directly target.

Full detail on the acupuncture and TCM page.

How ACC Coverage Works for Chiropractic in North Shore Auckland

ACC (Accident Compensation Corporation) is New Zealand's no-fault injury compensation scheme. Understanding how it works at a chiropractic clinic removes a major barrier for many patients.

Do I need a GP referral to use ACC at a chiropractor?

No. Auckland Wellness Centre is a direct ACC provider. You do not need to see a GP first. When you arrive, your chiropractor or a staff member will complete your ACC claim registration at the clinic as part of your intake.

Who is eligible for ACC chiropractic treatment?

ACC coverage applies to any person injured in New Zealand, including:

• New Zealand residents and citizens
• Workers on any visa type
• International students
• Tourists and short-term visitors

The injury must have occurred within New Zealand. Common ACC-eligible presentations at AWC include sports injuries, workplace injuries, whiplash, and accidental falls.

How much does ACC chiropractic cost at AWC?

The ACC surcharge for chiropractic at Auckland Wellness Centre is $40 per session. This applies to all three AWC chiropractors. For private (non-ACC) chiropractic care, the initial consultation fee is $105 and follow-up appointments are $70. A complimentary Free Spinal Check is available for new patients who want an assessment before committing to a full consultation.

Acupuncture under ACC is also available at AWC. The ACC co-payment for acupuncture with Dr. Robin Won is $20 per session ($10 for patients aged 70 and over). Acupuncture under ACC with Mike Lee, Ada Zhong, or Elaine Yang carries no co-payment.

Our Practitioners — Credentials and Experience

Here are the AWC practitioners and their verifiable qualifications.

Dr. Jun — Golf and Disc Chiropractor

Dr. Jun is the blog author for Auckland Wellness Centre and lead practitioner for disc herniation and sports chiropractic. He holds a Doctor of Chiropractic from the New Zealand College of Chiropractic (NZCC), with 12 years of clinical practice. His TPI (Titleist Performance Institute) certifications span Level 1, Medical Level 2, Fitness Level 2, and Power Level 2. He is also certified in Active Release Technique (ART). Dr. Jun consults in English and Korean.

Dr. Michael Blandy — Sports and Posture Chiropractor

Dr. Blandy is AWC's Senior Chiropractor with 20 years of clinical experience. He is an NZCC graduate certified in Chiropractic BioPhysics (CBP). Before chiropractic practice, he competed as a national representative mountain biker. This background directly informs his approach to sports performance and structural injury recovery. Dr. Blandy is the primary practitioner for posture correction, X-ray analysis, and Denneroll 3D Traction at AWC. He consults in English.

Dr. Brian Bae — Sports and Posture Chiropractor

Dr. Brian Bae (배상재) is an NZCC-registered chiropractor specialising in sports chiropractic, posture correction using X-ray and posture analysis, and nutrition-integrated care planning. His background in the supplement industry gives him a practical lens on recovery and lifestyle factors. He consults in English and Korean.

Dr. Robin Won — Acupuncture Specialist

Dr. Robin Won (원승환) holds a PhD in Traditional Chinese Medicine (Acupuncture) from Sangji University, with 26 years of clinical experience. He is registered with the Chinese Medicine Council of New Zealand (CMCNZ) and is a member of the Korean Oriental Medical Society (KOMS) and KOMSA. Dr. Robin Won holds the protected title of Acupuncture Specialist — the only practitioner in New Zealand to do so. He treats musculoskeletal conditions, chronic pain, insomnia, stress, frozen shoulder, and women's health and fertility. He consults in English and Korean.

Mike Lee, Ada Zhong, and Elaine Yang — Acupuncture and TCM

AWC's wider acupuncture team includes Mike Lee (Minho Lee — 20 years of practice, NZ School of Acupuncture graduate, CMCNZ registered, English and Korean), Ada Zhong (10 years of practice, Chengdu University of TCM graduate, CMCNZ registered, pregnancy care and Tuina massage, English and Mandarin), and Elaine Yang (12 years of practice, Jinan University graduate, CMCNZ registered, women's health and exercise rehabilitation, English and Mandarin).

What Happens in Your First Chiropractic Appointment at AWC

Many people who have never seen a chiropractor feel uncertain about what to expect. Here is a realistic step-by-step overview of a first visit at Auckland Wellness Centre.

Before you arrive

No referral is required. If you have recent X-rays, MRI scans, or specialist letters related to your condition, bring them along — they help your chiropractor build a more complete picture faster. Wear comfortable clothing if possible. If you have an ACC-eligible injury, have the approximate date and description of the incident ready; the clinic will complete the claim paperwork on your behalf.

During the consultation (approximately 30 minutes for an initial visit)

Your chiropractor will take a full case history — how long you have had the problem, what makes it better or worse, any relevant medical history, and your goals for treatment. A physical examination follows, including neurological and orthopaedic testing relevant to your presentation. Where clinically indicated, the chiropractor may recommend a digital posture scan or X-ray. AWC has on-site X-ray capability, which reduces the need to refer to an external imaging centre.

Report of Findings

Your chiropractor will explain their findings in plain language. If imaging was taken, you will see the results and understand what they mean for your treatment. A proposed care plan will be discussed — including the number of sessions typically recommended, realistic timeframes, and what you can do at home to support your recovery. There is no obligation to commit to a full programme at this stage.

Treatment

Treatment generally begins at the first or second visit. Depending on your diagnosis, this may include spinal adjustment (manual or instrument-assisted), Active Release Technique (ART) for soft tissue, Denneroll 3D Traction, or spinal decompression on the Win Trac 100. Your chiropractor will explain each technique before applying it and will work within your comfort level. Follow-up sessions typically run 15 minutes.

After your session

It is common to feel mild muscle soreness for 24 to 48 hours after a first adjustment, similar to post-exercise soreness. Your chiropractor will provide guidance on activity level, posture habits, and specific exercises or stretches relevant to your condition. Follow-up bookings can be made at the front desk or online.

Frequently Asked Questions — Chiropractor North Shore Auckland