I graduated from the University of Stellenbosch in 2002 with a Bachelor of Sport Science, after which I pursued my lifelong passion and graduated from the University of Johannesburg in 2008 with a Master of Chiropractic.

Since graduating, I have worked in various clinics across South Africa and Australia, and have been involved with various sports teams (from weekend warriors to professional athletes). As a lifelong learner, I have attended various training seminars by international experts. My curious nature commits me to engage in continued education and explore the latest research and treatment protocols for my patients and unique challenges. I believe in a holistic approach to any condition, targeting the cause of the concern and not only the presenting symptoms. Ideally, aspects that need to be addressed in every patient are the structural components (e.g., joints, bones, muscles and organs), systemic and acquired toxins (e.g., high mercury levels), deficiencies at cellular level (e.g., low neurotransmitters), as well as emotional aspects (e.g., environmental and lifestyle stressors). I am committed to facilitating and empowering the optimal health of each of my patients.

Personally, I walk my talk by keeping physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually healthy. This starts with basic strategies like sleeping enough, eating a balanced diet, and staying active. I have experienced that input equals output – what I put in or do with my body determines the quality of my life. As a Chiropractor, I am committed and passionate about playing a role in the healthcare of others and encouraging similar values. I enjoy maximizing the health and wellbeing of all family members, from infants to the elderly. I also have a special interest in assisting active individuals in recovering from sports injuries and reaching peak, physical performance from professionals to weekend warriors. I look forward to assist you as your body restores and amplifies its inherent optimal health.

Dr Peter Garbutt (Chiropractor) has developed the Enhance Running technique and has now trained a few specialized technicians around Australia to teach more people how to run efficiently & injury free for longer into their lives. Dr Garbutt is currently President of Sports Chiropractic Australia and Sports Medicine Australia ACT branch and has done vast amounts of research in running techniques based on energy efficiency, injury prevention and optimal biomechanics. The Enhance Running Workshops are very practical with a bit of theory and easy to put into practice immediately. If you want to enjoy and improve your running you would benefit from attending a workshop no matter what level you run at the moment.
Dr Matt le Roux (Chiropractor) and Dr Sara Winchester (Chiropractor) from Total Chiropractic have been trained as technicians to teach people this simple & logical running technique. Cost is $80. Bookings are essential. For more info and to make a booking please call 9904 0101.

ENHANCE RUNNING WORKSHOP DATES
JUNE 2ND SATURDAY @ BALMORAL OVAL: 3-4:30PM (MATT)
JULY 7TH SATURDAY @ BALMORAL OVAL: 3-4:30PM (MATT)
AUGUST 4TH SATURDAY @ BALMORAL OVAL: 3-4:30PM (MATT)
SEPTEMBER 1ST SATURDAY @ BALMORAL OVAL: 3-4:30PM (MATT)
OCTOBER 13TH SATURDAY @ BALMORAL OVAL: 3-4:30PM (MATT)
NOVEMBER 3RD SATURDAY @ BALMORAL OVAL: 3-4:30PM (MATT)
DECEMBER 15TH SATURDAY@ BALMORAL OVAL: 3-4:30PM (MATT)

After you have completed the Enhance Running workshop you can then attend the classes which go through each of the seven steps in more detail. The classes comprise of further drills, strengthening, stretching and any extra rehab you may need to do to master that step in the technique. The classes begin on Sat 18th and are conducted each Saturday at Balmoral Oval at 2pm for 45mins. You do not need to attend in any particular order and the classes will keep cycling through. However, if you wish to attend the Barefoot Classes you must complete the full Running Workshop and all 5 Classes to ensure there is enough conditioning to avoid injuries. Bookings for all classes are also essential. See below for class timetable.

ENHANCE RUNNING CLASS TIMETABLE @ BALMORAL OVAL:
MAY 5TH SAT 2PM: CLASS 1 -POSTURE AND LEAN
MAY 12TH SAT 2PM: CLASS 2 – FOOT LANDING – CADENCE AND LANDING POINT
MAY 19TH SAT 2PM: CLASS 3 – ARMS AND HEAD POSITIONING
MAY 26TH SAT 2PM: CLASS 4 – STRENGTHENING
JUNE 2ND SAT 2PM: CLASS 5- BRINGING IT ALL TOGETHER

JUNE 9TH SAT 2PM: CLASS 1 -POSTURE AND LEAN
JUNE 16TH SAT 2PM: CLASS 2 – FOOT LANDING – CADENCE AND LANDING POINT
JUNE 23RD SAT 2PM: CLASS 3 – ARMS AND HEAD POSITIONING
JUNE 30TH SAT 2PM: CLASS 4 – STRENGTHENING
JULY 7TH SAT 2PM: CLASS 5- BRINGING IT ALL TOGETHER

BAREFOOT ENHANCE RUNNING CLASS TIMETABLE FOLLOWS THIS SAME ROTATION & CLASS 1-5 MUST BE COMPLETED FIRST FIRST.

I was originally led to chiropractic because of my admiration of the human body. I spent much of high school training as a gymnast, seeing and feeling the physical capabilities of the body first-hand. When I was 15, I did work experience at my cousin’s chiropractic clinic in South Australia. This totally inspired me to pursue the same career path. It was the amazing speed of progression and healing that I witnessed during this time that really made me want to be part of the chiropractic profession.

I later learnt that my late grandmother first saw a chiropractor before registration was enforced in Australia. And when mother had a serious car accident in her early 20s, leaving her mute, it was my grandmother’s chiropractor who came to the rescue. The medical professionals had concluded my mother’s condition was psychological. But my grandmother’s chiropractor thought otherwise. The results seemed miraculous. My Mum got her voice back, her career as a nurse back, and her life back. This is not an uncommon story in the chiropractic profession.

I have chosen to devote my life to assisting people with their health and performance through chiropractic and health education. My personal mission is to adjust, educate and inspire as many people in the world as possible. I firmly believe that health is improved when people take responsibility for their health and their quality of life. From this, performance is enhanced and the world reaps the benefits from extraordinary results from healthy and motivated people. Of course, there are those who don’t have access to the care I believe in. So, in September 2010, I initiated and led a project to Tanzania, working with orphans. I have exciting plans to build on that charity work in the coming years.

I believe wholeheartedly in the chiropractic philosophy, which, in a nutshell, enables the body to express its innate intelligence and heal itself. The human body is a remarkable organism. I feel privileged to work with it, and it surprises and inspires me everyday.

Total Chiropractic is more than a practice. It is a multi-disciplinary space, where practitioners are able to liaise easily to provide the best possible care in the shortest time for patients. We help maximise health and performance, as well as educate about maintaining well-being. These factors, combined with a dedicated and passionate team, makes Total Chiropractic unique. Many of our referrals are word-of-mouth – and we pride ourselves on serving a community of people who care about their health.

I have always had an interest in the natural sciences and human biology and I considered studying medicine, but decided I would prefer to work in a drug free industry. Since starting studying Chiropractic I have never looked back. I graduated at the end of 2007 and went straight to Cairns to work with a practitioner there that I greatly admired. It was a fantastic opportunity and enabled me to gain a great deal of experience and see a wide variety of patients. However, my partner Andreas was still in Sydney and needed to stay here due to work and rowing commitments (and love conquers all), so I returned to Sydney. It was fantastic that the opportunity to work back at Total Chiropractic came up at the same time.

I am constantly amazed at the results patients get from Chiropractic. I find it so rewarding when a patient who has a condition that has been greatly affecting their quality of life gets better with chiropractic care. I have always wanted to work in a profession where I can help other people and I’m so glad Chiropractic has given me the opportunity to do that.

During my studies I worked in childcare and as a nanny and I really enjoyed working with kids. One of the main reasons I wanted to work at Total Chiropractic is the large number of kids that come here and the specialised paediatric techniques that are used here (which can make such a difference to children). I was also attracted to Total Chiropractic because of the holistic approach that chiropractors have here. We look not only at structural and biomechanical dysfunction but also the biochemistry and emotions of the body. For me this makes Chiropractic really interesting and it is very rewarding because you can help people in quite unexpected ways.

While I was studying I was also very involved in rowing and coaching. I have coxed some elite crews and have been lucky enough to travel widely with the sport. In November 2009, I coxed a ‘four’ and we came 4th in Boston at the Head of the Charles Rowing Regatta. (check this link). The athletes that I have worked with have been extremely disciplined and I find working with them with chiropractic care and as their teammate really inspirational. I completed a research project during my studies, which looked at chiropractic treatment for rowers (both for injury prevention and performance enhancement). It showed some very interesting and promising results and I feel that chiropractic can greatly benefit all athletes and help them to achieve their potential. This is an area in which I would like to do further studies.

I feel honoured to have been able to join the team at Total Chiropractic. It is a very supportive environment and I feel really excited about the potential to expand my knowledge and to treat people who have a genuine interest in and concern for their wellbeing. I look forward to meeting you next time you are in the clinic!

I am currently away from the clinic while I enjoy my first baby and will return to work in the second half of 2012.

To contact Ali directly please send an email to alison@totalchiro.com.au, or for an appointment call Total Chiropractic on 02 9904 0101.

This ‘specific thrust’, according to the different techniques we use at Total Chiropractic, can be fast or slow but always gentle.

On the other hand, Physiotherapy treats symptoms with exercises and other physical treatments and fits in with the medical model. It is especially helpful with rehabilitation after accidents, surgery or other minor injuries. They do not adjust!

Osteopathy is a system of diagnosis and treatment, usually by manipulation, that mainly focuses on musculo-skeletal problems to enhance blood supply activity, thereby resolving mechanical problems of the body. It is more similar to chiropractic, however techniques, philosophy and intentions are different.

Chiropractors are very specific about which joint complex they are adjusting to remove stress, instead of looking generally to improve blood flow, like an Osteopath. The intention is also different. The nervous system supplies the musculo-skeletal system by enhancing the nervous system function, so chiropractic usually corrects the musculo-skeletal dysfunction. So the intention is once again with allowing the nervous system to function optimally.

Chiropractic is effective for achieving and maintaining optimal health, reducing pain and other symptoms of the body malfunctioning; as well as general injury prevention and improved injury recovery, especially in sport and enhanced physical performance.

At Total Chiropractic we have made it even more convenient for you by having a HICAPS machine. This means you can swipe your Medicare or Private Health Fund card and just pay the difference (if there is one) for your treatment on the day.

We believe that regular ongoing chiropractic care is extremely beneficial for overall health and wellness, and also respect other people’s philosophies and beliefs about what is best for them. We empower people to take responsibility for their health instead of purely relying on someone else to ‘fix’ them.

Chiropractors remove stress to the nervous system, allowing the body to optimise its amazing self-regulating and self-healing abilities. Maximising your health is usually a combined effort of your lifestyle habits and a health care practitioner like a chiropractor.