Dr Craig Gilberd is the head of Lifestyle Chiropractic Australia Pty Ltd, www.lifestylechiropractic.com.au Craig Gilberd, a Doctor of Chiropractic, graduated from Palmer College of Chiropractic in 1976. Craig practised chiropractic in South Australia for many years, running a large volume practice, plus four other associate run practices.

After a major sabbatical leave, which involved sailing around the world, Craig settled in Mackay, North Queensland in 2001, and practised for 2 years, before setting up Lifestyle Chiropractic Australia Pty Ltd in July 2003.

Chiropractors are experts in the science and art of detecting and correcting subluxations of the spinal bones. When spinal function is optimized, nerve function is too, because they are so closely related. As your nerves function better, it can improve your health.

THE PRINCIPLES OF CHIROPRACTIC

• Your body is able to heal itself
• Your brain controls your body functions
• It does so through your nervous system and spinal cord
• Your spinal cord and central nerve system is inside and around your spine
• Misaligned spinal bones (subluxations) can affect nerve function

Chiropractors are experts in the science and art of detecting and correcting subluxations of the spinal bones. When spinal function is optimised, nerve function is too, because they are so closely related. As your nerves function better, it can improve your health.

Chiropractors do not claim to cure anything, but we do claim, and have a very strong body of scientific and medical evidence, that you are better off having a well functioning spine and nervous system rather than not.

The History of Chiropractic

The first adjustment was given in 1895 in Iowa, in the US. DD Palmer, who had been formulating his ideas about the spine and nervous system, adjusted a man named Harvey Lillard who had been deaf for seventeen years. Harvey had heard a click in his neck while working, and shortly after his hearing failed. After several adjustments to his spine, Mr Lillard was able to hear as well as before.

Over the years chiropractic has faced many challenges. At one time chiropractors were regularly jailed, just for adjusting patients' spines. They were charged with practicing medicine without a licence. Eventually it was shown in court that chiropractic and medicine have distinctly different philosophies, and from then chiropractors were free to practice.

In 1979 a Royal Commission into chiropractic found that the profession had outstanding levels of safety and patient satisfaction, even way before we lived in the current climate of litigation, where practitioners are even more careful. As stunning as these revelations may seem, it is fortunate that in this day and age the medical and chiropractic professions work well together for the benefit of you, the patient.

Each profession understands that the other has a vital and unique role to play in healthcare. The current climate is one of mutual respect.

Lifestyle Chiropractic Australia currently has 12 chiropractic practices located in Sarina, Proserpine, Airlie Beach, Hamilton Island, Bundaberg, Innisfail, Bowen, Collinsville, Charters Towers, Townsville & Glenelg (South Australia), with the LCA administration team based in Mackay, Queensland.