Osteopaths
in
and
Back Pain Specialist
Christchurch
So why us? It's simple.
It's confusing out there. Who should I see? What is their background? What knowledge and experience do they have?
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To help you take the guesswork out of this important decision, we have done the work for you.
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(And make sure you check out Reason #6 - it's a really good one!)
Yes, these really are Shelley's hands!
Reason #1
Our experience - over 70 years of it!
Shelley has been in practice since 1996 (minus a little maternity leave), with busy clinics in both New Zealand and Australia during this time.
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Nick has run multiple successful practices since 1980 (no maternity leave for him!), located in the UK as well as in New Zealand and Australia.
Reason #2
Our commitment to higher postgraduate qualifications after our primary degrees
Shelley paved the way for osteopaths to be accepted onto the internationally recognised Masters of Medicine in Pain Management at Sydney University and the Royal North Shore Hospital. Prior to this, enrolment to this prestigious postgraduate programme was only open to medical specialists.
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Shelley was also invited into the prestigious Golden Key International Honour Society having consistently performed in the top 15% of all tertiary institutions worldwide during her five years of undergraduate study.
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Nick upgraded his primary diploma to an applied bachelors degree through the University of Winchester. He then went on to complete his PhD in Musculoskeletal Medicine at the University of Queensland in 2007.
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As a result of Nick's research on low back pain and the obstacles to recovery, he has been in demand internationally to create guidelines for best practice both in the National Health and Medical Research group and ACC leading to the formation of both acute and chronic guidelines for the management of pain, used here in New Zealand and overseas.
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Shelley is one of only two osteopaths to be an active member of both the International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) and it's local chapter, the New Zealand Pain Society. Having access to seminars, forums as well as annual conferences and peer-reviewed journals and publications internationally allows Shelley to constantly update her knowledge and our understanding of pain and disability, enabling her to optimally guide you towards your goals.
Reason #3
We keep abreast of current scientific research and evidence used to guide best practice
Nick is always exploring the most recent scientific evidence relating to chronic pain, recovery and obstacles to recovery. As a member of the Royal Society of Medicine he has access to a myriad of research and evidence, both published and unpublished; as well as research currently being undertaken.= through his network of contacts in the fields of pain and recovery.
THE NEW ZEALAND
PAIN SOCIETY
Reason #4
We have worked with elite athletes and sports groups - locally, nationally and internationally, both able-bodied and with disabilities performing in many sports and disciplines
So there isn't much we haven't seen - but we are happy when we come across something new and different - it's another opportunity to step up our knowledge and skills to meet your individual needs and goals.
Reason #5
We have actively promoted the profession both politically and educationally
Nick has been the driving force in getting osteopathy recognised here in New Zealand. As president of the New Zealand Register of Osteopaths at the time, it is a testament to his tireless work with parliamentary committees that created the private members bill which culminated in our finally receiving statutory recognition, preventing the misuse of the title 'osteopath'. So in addition to being accepted treatment providers for ACC, we then became recognised in private health insurance policies, with work insurers and more.
Shelley was co-opted onto the profession's steering committee very early on when our first university recognised course was mooted. Instrumental in bringing leading osteopaths to New Zealand to help us both develop and lead our flagship course, we were proud to establish the programme that enrolled our first cohort of students in 1999.
Although this course has recently closed, a second course has since been established at Ara right here in Christchurch with our first graduates entering the workforce in the last two years.
Reason #6
VIR - Very Important Reason
We're here for you when you need us.
We realise that sometimes you just can't wait for the next available appointment so if you need one urgently or you are simply unable to find an appointment time online that works for you, drop us a line and we'll do our very best to fit you in.
We're nice like that.