Dr Jo the Chiro

11/01/2026

✨ Back to Clinic & Back to Routine – Let’s Start 2026 Well!✨

I’m back in clinic after the holidays and ready to help you reset for the year ahead 🙌

📍 West Gosford: Monday, Wednesday & Friday
📍 North Ryde: Tuesday & Thursday
⏰ Normal hours
📞 Bookings available online or by phoning the clinic

The holidays are great… but we often see the after-effects once routines return. Common complaints at this time of year include:

* Stiff or sore backs and necks after long drives or flights 🚗✈️
* Poor sleep from unfamiliar beds and pillows 🛏️
* Headaches, tension and fatigue from disrupted routines
* Flare-ups of old injuries once work or school resumes

Your spine and nervous system play a central role in how your body functions, adapts and recovers. When the spine isn’t moving well, it can interfere with how your nervous system communicates with the rest of your body. An adjustment helps restore motion, reduce stress on the nervous system, and reset your body so you’re better prepared for the demands of work, school and sport.

🎒 With school returning soon, now is a great time for a proper spinal check-up for both adults and kids—before small issues turn into bigger ones.

💳 Good news: Many health funds have reset for the new year, so you may have benefits available again.

🩺 You can also speak with your GP to see if you’re eligible for a Chronic Disease Management Plan, which may help with ongoing care.

Let’s start 2026 feeling aligned, moving better, and functioning at our best 💙
👉 Book online or call the clinic to secure your spot.
#2026

24/12/2025

2025 has been a HUGE year! But also one I’m really proud of. This year I returned to full time practice hours. Something I haven’t done since having my first baby 16 years ago. And this was commuting across 2 really busy clinics in Sydney and on the central coast.

I have had the privilege of adjusting many patients, families and kids and I have met some amazing new people along the way.

Thank you for trusting me with your health in 2025 and I look forward to another great year next year!

But for now, I’m clocking off for a few weeks to rest the hands and the brain. I’ll return to clinic on Jan 12th 2026.

08/12/2025

✨ Feeling that end-of-year burnout creeping in?

You’re not alone. This time of year piles on deadlines, events, travel, social pressure and a whole lot of nervous-system overload. When your body stays in “go-go-go” mode too long, you may notice:

• brain fog
• tight shoulders + jaw
• irritability
• trouble sleeping
• headaches
• that “I’m running on fumes” feeling

Here’s the thing: your nervous system is the command centre for how your body handles stress. When it’s stuck in overdrive, everything else feels harder.

💆‍♂️ That’s where a chiropractic checkup can help.
Gentle chiropractic care helps restore proper spinal mobility and alignment, which supports healthier nervous system function. When your nervous system can communicate clearly, your body shifts out of stress mode more easily—helping you feel calmer, clearer, and more grounded heading into the new year.

If your body is waving the white flag right now, consider this your sign to get checked.
Your nervous system deserves a reset, too. 💛

02/12/2025

✨ HEADACHES — What Your Headache Might Be Telling You✨

Not all headaches are the same — and the pattern matters. Here are some common types and clues to help you understand what’s driving yours:

💢 TYPES OF HEADACHES

🔹 Tension Headaches
Feel like a tight band around the head. Often linked to stress, posture + tight neck/shoulder muscles.

🔹 Migraines
Throbbing, one-sided pain. May come with nausea, light/sound sensitivity or visual changes.

🔹 Cervicogenic Headaches
Start in the neck and move upward. Often triggered by posture or reduced neck mobility.

🔹 Cluster Headaches
Severe, sharp pain around one eye. Occur in cycles.

🔍 CLUES THAT MATTER

🕗 Headaches worse on waking?
• Teeth grinding or clenching
• Sleep posture/pillow issues
• Possible blood pressure changes

🕓 Headaches worse as the day goes on?
• Posture strain (hello, desk work!)
• Muscle fatigue
• Eye strain

💛 Headaches that follow your cycle?
• Around ovulation
• Premenstrual phase
• Perimenopause
(Hormonal shifts can heighten sensitivity to triggers.)

💆‍♂️ HOW CHIROPRACTIC CAN HELP

Chiropractic care may help by:
✔ Improving neck + spinal mobility
✔ Reducing muscle + postural tension
✔ Supporting healthy movement patterns
✔ Helping you identify triggers that keep headaches coming back

Many people notice fewer and less intense headaches after addressing underlying mechanical stress.

📝 WHY A HEADACHE DIARY HELPS

A simple diary can reveal patterns like:
• Time of day
• Posture + activities
• Sleep quality
• Hormonal cycle
• Food + lifestyle triggers
• What eases or worsens it

More clarity = more effective care.

If headaches are interrupting your life, it’s time to listen to the clues your body is giving you ✨

Need help breaking the cycle? Book in — you don’t have to keep pushing through. 💛

24/11/2025

📸 Which Scan Do You Actually Need?

Chiros are trained in radiology and often refer for imaging to confirm injuries — here’s the quick guide:

🦴 X-Ray → Best for fractures.
✔ Often bulk-billed
✖ Poor soft-tissue detail

🌀 CT Scan → good for Complex fractures & bony issues.
✔ Fast, detailed
✖ Higher radiation, sometimes gap fees

🧠 MRI → good for Disc bulges, nerve impingement, tendon/ligament tears.
✔ Best soft-tissue detail, no radiation
✖ Often NOT bulk-billed unless Medicare-eligible

🎯 Ultrasound → good for Tendinitis, bursitis, superficial tears.
✔ No radiation, real-time movement
✖ Operator-dependent; some gap fees

Always ask: Is imaging necessary for my injury and will it aid my recovery? Which scan will give me the most information for my potential diagnosis? Is it bulk-billed? Any gap fees? Smart imaging = better recovery 🙌

19/11/2025

11/11/2025

🦷✨ Braces, Expanders & Chiropractic Care – A Powerful Partnership!

Orthodontic appliances like braces, expanders, and retainers do so much more than straighten smiles — they help guide the growth and development of your child’s face, jaw, and airway. But did you know that chiropractic care can play a huge role in supporting these changes?

When a child’s spine, cranium, and nervous system are in balance, orthodontic treatment often progresses more smoothly and holds its results longer. 🌀

👶 Why chiropractic care matters during orthodontic treatment:

Cranial-Sacral work & SOT (Sacro-Occipital Technique): These gentle chiropractic methods help the cranial bones and jaw move in harmony. Since braces and expanders influence how these bones shift, balanced cranial motion supports more comfortable, effective orthodontic changes.
Retained primitive reflexes: Early reflexes that haven’t fully integrated can affect facial symmetry, jaw tension, and posture — all of which influence how orthodontic adjustments take hold. Chiropractic care helps identify and integrate these reflexes for better overall function.
- Improved nervous system communication: Chiropractic adjustments help ensure clear signaling between the brain and body, optimizing the body’s ability to adapt to orthodontic changes.

✨ Before and after orthodontic checkups, gentle chiropractic care helps your child’s body stay aligned, flexible, adaptable, and comfortable — allowing orthodontic work to “stick” more efficiently and naturally.

🪶 Think of it as teamwork: your orthodontist guides the teeth, and your chiropractor supports the structure and nervous system behind that beautiful smile.

💫 Growing healthy, balanced kids from the inside out!

06/11/2025

🌿 Gentle Chiropractic Care for Babies & Children 🌿

Hi, I’m Dr Jo, a chiropractor with over 20 years of clinical experience supporting patients of all ages — from newborns to adults. Over the years, I’ve completed extensive training in assessing and caring for babies and children, with a strong focus on safe, gentle, and individualised care.

👶 Families often visit to have their child checked for:
• Feeding or latching difficulties
• A head preference or limited neck movement
• Postural asymmetries (such as a head tilt or flat spot)
• General musculoskeletal tension or stiffness
• Discomfort associated with growth or increased activity or delayed developmental milestones

Each session begins with a thorough assessment to understand your child’s unique needs.

Techniques used are always gentle, age-appropriate, and tailored — often involving light fingertip pressure or gentle mobilisation suited to your child’s stage of development.

My goal is to support comfortable movement and healthy development, helping little bodies grow and function at their best.

If you’d like to learn more about chiropractic care for children or discuss whether it might be suitable for your family, feel free to get in touch — I’m always happy to answer questions. 💙
📞 (02)9878-5021 or book online at www.rnhc.com.au

22/10/2025

How long will it take for my injury to heal?

I hear this every day in the clinic — and honestly, it’s a great question.

So here’s a quick breakdown of how long it may for different injuries to heal (and why some take way longer than others). Of course there can always be variations to these!

💪 Muscle strains

Muscles have good blood flow = faster healing.

Grade 1 (mild pull): 2–3 weeks
Grade 2 (partial tear): 4–8 weeks
Grade 3 (full tear): 3–6 months

🦵Ligament sprains

Think ankle sprains — they take longer because ligaments don’t get much blood.

Grade 1: 2–4 weeks
Grade 2: 6–10 weeks
Grade 3: 3–6 months (and sometimes surgery)

🧵 Tendon issues

These are more stubborn. Poor blood flow + lots of wear & tear.

Mild strain: 4–6 weeks
Partial tear: 3–6 months
Full tear: 6+ months

🦴 Bone fractures

Bones usually heal well if they’re stable.

Simple break: 6–8 weeks
Complex: 3–6 months
Stress fracture: 6–12 weeks depending on location

💡 Why the difference?

Blood flow = faster healing
Bigger injuries take more time, especially if surgery is required
Rehab matters
Age, health, and lifestyle all play a role

Everyone heals at a different pace — but with the right treatment plan and some patience, your body can bounce back. 🙌

17/10/2025

📅 World Menopause Day
Let’s talk hormones and your body 💪💛

After 20 years as a chiropractor, I’ve seen how menopause is so much more than hot flushes. It’s a full-body shift affecting:

🧠 Brain clarity
🦴 Bone density
🦵 Joint & muscle function
❤️ Heart health
💤 Sleep & energy
🌀 Mood & memory

⚠️ Common symptoms:
🔥 Hot flushes
😴 Sleep issues
🧠 Brain fog, irritability
⚡️ Joint & muscle pain
🔄 Cycle changes
📉 Low energy & metabolism shifts

As estrogen & progesterone decline, women often feel confused, unprepared — even dismissed.

But with the right support (including body-identical hormones, movement, nutrition & lifestyle), things can get better.

👐 In my clinic, I use a gentle, holistic chiropractic approach to help women through this transition with less pain, more mobility & confidence in their changing bodies.

You don’t have to just push through. Let’s support your body — and honour this transition. 💛

📍DM to chat or book a consult.

15/10/2025

🌍 Happy World Spine Day! 🌀
Today is a powerful reminder of how important your spine is — not just for movement, but for your overall health and well-being.

Your spine supports your body, protects your nervous system, and plays a key role in how you move, feel, and function every single day.

✅ Poor posture
✅ Sedentary lifestyles
✅ Repetitive strain
All of these can lead to spinal issues that affect everything from your energy levels to your immune system.

That's where chiropractic care comes in. 👐
Chiropractors are trained to assess, treat, and prevent spinal dysfunction, helping to:
🔹 Improve posture
🔹 Reduce pain and stiffness
🔹 Enhance mobility and flexibility
🔹 Support nervous system function
🔹 Promote long-term wellness

💡 Taking care of your spine is a lifetime investment in your health. On this , stand tall, move often, and don't ignore the signs your spine may need some care.

👉 Book a spinal check-up with your chiropractor — your back will thank you!

06/10/2025

✈️ 🚗 Just got back from a trip and feeling like your neck and back took a vacation without you? 😩

Long flights, cramped car rides, unfamiliar beds, flat pillows, lumpy couches—yep, it all adds up. What was supposed to be “rest and relaxation” can leave you feeling more twisted than your suitcase straps.

Whether it’s a stiff neck, lower back tightness, or just that overall “crunched” feeling… your body is telling you it needs a reset.

👐 That’s where your chiro comes in.

A quick post-travel adjustment can:
✅ Loosen up tight joints
✅ Relieve tension and discomfort
✅ Improve posture
✅ Get you feeling like you again

You’ve unpacked your bags—now it’s time to sort your spine.
📅 Book your appointment today and let’s get you moving better.