Tracy Kopp Gentle Chiropractor

Fees

Initial consultation and treatment 60 minutes	$90.00
Return consultation and treatment	30 minutes	$65.00
Concession holder return consult	30 minutes	$60.00

Private health fund rebates apply for Chiropractic treatment under ‘extras’ policies.


Appointment times

Appointments are available at the following times:

Monday	7am – 7pm
Tuesday	7am – 7pm
Friday	1pm – 7pm
Saturday	7am – 2pm

What to expect at your first appointment

Please allow one hour for your initial consultation and wear loose comfortable clothing.

When you arrive, you will be asked to complete a detailed health history questionnaire which will help your practitioner get to know you. Tracy will then gather more information from you as necessary to determine the cause of your complaint and how best it might be managed. This may include any combination of

• Neurological examination
  
• Orthopedic examination
  
• Postural assessment
  
• Gait (walking) assessment
  
• X-rays
  
• Palpatory examination (‘feeling’ the muscles, bones and ligaments)

In almost every case (unless we require specialized further testing such as an MRI), treatment is given at your first visit following a thorough discussion of what that treatment will entail.

You will remain fully clothed during each visit and your privacy and cultural sensitivities will be respected at all times.

Following your initial consultation, regular appointments are a half-hour in duration – much longer than offered by most Chiropractors. Tracy finds that this is important in order to work as deeply as possible with each client and really get the results you wish to achieve.


Introducing Chiropractic

Very simply, Chiropractic care addresses restrictions in motion within the musculoskeletal system of the body. Because of the very close relationship between the bones and muscles and the nerves, Chiropractic treatment is known be effective in improving conditions that relate to the nervous system.

Chiropractic in its modern form reaches back to 1895, but its roots go back much farther. ‘Bone-setting’, as it was called in earlier times, was practiced by ancient Egyptian and Greek civilizations. In fact, Hippocrates - the father of modern medicine – is credited with saying

‘The doctor of the future will give no medicine, but will interest his patients in the care of the human frame, diet, and in the cause and prevention of disease.’

As an holistic form of treatment, Chiropractic

• is a form of ‘complementary and alternative’ healthcare
  
• is concerned with the WHOLE person, rather than just looking at symptomatic parts
  
• offers a conservative approach, encouraging natural and gentle methods of healing before drugs or surgery
  
• is the fastest-growing complementary healthcare modality worldwide

Chiropractic treatment is practiced all over the world, mostly in private practices, and in some countries, within the hospital system. In Australia, all Chiropractors practice privately.

All practitioners within Australia must be registered with AHPRA (Australian Health Practitioners’ Registration Association) and are governed by strict regulations and guidelines that protect clients. Many Chiropractors are also members of the Chiropractic Association of Australia, or specialist bodies such as the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association.


How does Gentle Chiropractic treatment help the body?

Chiropractic is an holistic form of treatment, aimed at balancing and calming the joints, muscles and soft tissues for improved physical motion and balance.

Physical dysfunction can sometimes be the direct result of a disease process or a single traumatic event, such as a fall or even a difficult or prolonged labour.

In many cases though, repeated biomechanical stresses, emotional upsets and ongoing biochemical imbalances can cause - or add to - dysfunction on a physical level. Because our joints and muscles are in such intimate proximity with our spinal cord and and the nerves that control our arms, legs, head and organs, any amount of physical dysfunction is understood to impact the way the nervous system may function. Once physical and postural patterns develop, our bodies ‘forget’ how to move in the way they are best designed to, the impact on our musculoskeletal tissues affects our nervous system, and without a fully functioning nervous system our bodies are prevented from doing their best job at keeping us in balance.

By working with the spine and surrounding tissues we can effect greater movement and flexibility, improved muscle tone and an overall release of tension from within the body. This promotes an improved musculoskeletal system and better health.

What does a Gentle Chiropractic adjustment feel like?

The adjustment involves light, specifically directed movements over areas of the body. Generally it is not uncomfortable - some people can feel a bit light-headed for a brief moment and many patients say that they experience a pleasant feeling afterwards. Tracy may use her hands to make a gentle correction, or may use mobilizing tools such as biomechanical blocks (wedges made of wood and leather placed under the pelvis) to assist in making the corrections necessary. Soft tissue techniques, such as massage, mobilization and stretching will likely be used too, to get you moving as quickly as possible.

There are many different adjusting techniques just as there are many different clients. Tracy is qualified in several and can use whichever technique she finds is most appropriate for your particular case.

Whatever techniques Tracy uses, she will take the time to explain to you in detail what is necessary in your specific case, what will be done and how that might feel, before proceeding. It is important to Tracy that every one of her clients feel as confident and informed as possible as to the treatment they are receiving.


How Tracy works

Tracy draws on many different Chiropractic techniques that aim to balance and calm the joints, muscles and nervous system, while respecting the body’s innate ability to heal itself.

By encouraging my clients to connect with all the parts of their bodies – even the damaged parts – Tracy aims to allow the process of healing to become more organic rather than ‘forced’ by the practitioner. When the client’s awareness and mind-full actions facilitate the healing along with Chiropractic care, faster and more lasting recovery can be achieved.

Tracy works within a framework of ‘Reorganizational healing’, which is a process of patiently facilitating healing using the body’s wonderous ability to self-regulate. Within the reorganizational healing framework, pain and dysfunction is viewed as integral in the human growth experience. Difficulty within the body can be a powerful driver of introspection and change.
Tracy uses a variety of techniques, including

• Network Spinal Analysis
  
• Sacro-occipital technique
  
• Craniosacral techniques
  
• Activator
  
• Gentle manual techniques
  
• Diversified
  
• Massage therapy
  
• Trigger point therapy
  
• Muscle energy techniques
  
• Heat and Cold therapy
  
• Stretching and Strengthening exercises for rehabilitation at home

Tracy’s study of meditation, Alexander technique and breath work greatly influences her practice.
Using movement, energy and breath to re-train clients to connect with their most difficult parts, as well as addressing immediate conditions through structural work, Tracy aims to balance the tissues to allow the musculoskeletal system – and therefore the nervous system – to function optimally.

Who can benefit from Chiropractic treatment?

Gentle Chiropractic treatment is suitable for every age group, from tiny infants to elderly people.

Tracy uses a wide variety of different techniques to improve function, and each technique is designed for different complaints, different ages and different levels of health. Some techniques work best only on individuals with high fitness levels and healthy bones, some techniques are designed specifically for people with weak bone structures and degenerative conditions. There are wonderfully gentle techniques for everyone in between.

Tracy works daily with clients who are

• Pregnant mums
  
• Osteoporosis sufferers
  
• Children
  
• MS sufferers
  
• Arthritic
  
• Teens
  
• Infants just days old
  
• Sportspeople
  
• Desk jockeys

…..and lots more.

If you think your condition or your health state prevents you from being a good candidate for Gentle Chiropractic care, you may be surprised to find out otherwise!

After a thorough assessment, Tracy will select a technique and treatment that is specific to you and appropriate for your body.

Tracy is committed to assisting people on their health journey. If after an examination Tracy determines that she is not the right practitioner for you, she will do her best to help you to find the right place for you to get help you need.


Following is a list of some of the wide range of conditions that are reported to respond favourably to Chiropractic treatment:

• Low back pain
  
• Neck pain
  
• Stiff neck (wry neck, torticollis)
  
• Headaches
  
• Muscle strains
  
• Joint sprains
  
• Shoulder pain
  
• Rib pain
  
• Arm or hand pain
  
• Painful feet or knees
  
• Instability in the joints
  
• ‘Clicky’ joints
  
• Muscle tension
  
• Back spasms
  
• Nerve pain, such as sciatica
  
• Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
  
• Vertigo and dizziness
  
• Period pain

Do you need to have a GP’s referral to make an appointment with a Chiropractor?

A GP’s referral is not required to see a Chiropractor.

In specific circumstances, clients may be eligible for a number of Chiropractic treatments covered by Medicare. Medicare visits may be offered to individuals who have chronic health conditions that are suitable for Chiropractic management. In these cases, a GP’s referral becomes necessary. If you would like more information on this, or believe you may be eligible, please speak to Tracy at your Chiropractic appointment.

If you are a Department of Veterans Affairs card holder, you may be eligible for Chiropractic care covered by DVA. Eligibility differs between card holders and a GP’s referral is required in all cases. Please ask to speak with Tracy regarding your eligibility when making an appointment.


Children and Babies
Tracy’s special interest is pediatrics, working with mums-to-be, new mums and bubs (yep, even really tiny ones, and no, we certainly don’t ‘crack’ anything). Using very gentle and bub-specific Chiropractic techniques, Tracy aims to work with families to make pregnancy, post-birth and childhood very comfortable places indeed! She enjoys caring for kids and showing them that being healthy can be fun too. Some of the children that come to see Tracy arrive with head shape asymmetry, reflux, colic, postural challenges, childhood migraines, foot problems or ‘growing pains’. Once their problems are addressed, their good health is easily maintained through supportive care as desired by mums and dads.


Webster technique for pregnancy

Tracy is qualified in Webster technique, a technique designed specifically for pregnancy that works to correct pelvic imbalance – relieving pain and improving motion.

Altered biomechanics in the pelvis may result in tightening of the ligaments and soft tissues that are directly involved in pelvic and uterine function during pregnancy and labour. Tension in these tissues can be a source of pain and discomfort, and is also thought to have an aberrant effect on the uterus itself, which may affect baby’s position in preparation for birth. Webster technique calls for gentle adjustments being made by the practitioner to restore joint motion and help to relax the muscles and ligaments of the pelvic area. As balance is restored, proper motion and function returns to the pelvis in preparation for birth.


About Tracy

Tracy has been an active Chiropractic educator, advocate and practitioner for many years. She currently practices in leafy North Fitzroy, Melbourne.

Mum to Gallien (the best daughter ever), and grandma to Scarly the dog and Lola the cat, Tracy lives locally to her Fitzroy practice, enjoying the extra time lazing in bed in the mornings and not too much traffic.

Personally and professionally, Tracy values integrity, gratitude and growth.