Dr Lauren Hilliar Chiropractic
Inspiring you to Move. Heal. Excel.
Hello! I’m Lauren.
Licensed Chiropractor
A cross fitting, coffee-loving chiropractor with a passion for positive relationships, massive love for all exercise and activity, and a deep desire to educate people on the importance of overall health and wellness. I have a keen interest in women’s health in particular and have recently obtained my certificate in pregnancy and post-partum corrective exercise.
I am rooted in holistic health and I don’t want to only focus on your presenting problem, I want to focus on you as a person. You will always catch me trying to inspire people to move, and therefore heal, and excel.
Dr Lauren Hilliar
Owner | Chiropractor
MOVE: As a chiropractor, movement has many denotations to me, particularly relating to the movement of the body and joint segments, and how that contributes to overall functionality. But the word MOVE in this context also refers to taking action, moving your body and not living a sedentary, unhealthy lifestyle. Movement truly is medicine, and I will always encourage you towards this.
HEAL: Through moving, whether that’s aiding the correct movement of the spine, other joints, muscles and so on, or if it’s going for a walk, being a professional athlete or taking action to lead a healthier lifestyle, that in itself promotes healing. Healthy body, healthy mind, healthy living.
And when we strive to achieve that, we can EXCEL. Movement allows us to do so much more, to enjoy this beautiful life we were blessed with, and it is something we should never take for granted.
My prayer is that I can always deliver service in abundance, and offer you a treatment plan that is comprehensive and compassionate.
I hope I get to share my God-given passions with you.
What to expect at your initial consultation with me?
Step 1
The Details
Prior to, or upon arrival, you will complete an electronic new patient form. This will include details and questions that will enable me to ascertain a short patient history and get to know you a bit better before arriving.
Step 2
The Chat
Following this, I will run through a medical case history. Most patients expect me to ask about their pain and area of complaint which I will most definitely do, however, I will also hone in on exercise and eating habits, sleeping patterns, mental state, as well as alcohol and fluid intake, as I believe in addressing overall quality of life and offering service in abundance. I will then begin to examine you through a series of movements, postural assessments, orthopaedic and neurological tests – pinpointing areas of pain and/or discomfort (if any) to come to a diagnosis.
Step 3
The Treatment
Thereafter, I will proceed with your first treatment, as well as patient education and advice within my scope of practice. Referral for x-rays and/or to another healthcare practitioner may be required if this is deemed necessary.
How can I help you?
Client Reviews
2023 Pricing
Initial Consultation
R650
Follow-Up Consultation
R500
Payment Methods
This is a cash-based practice and all accounts are to be settled on the day of consultation, either through card payment, zapper, cash or EFT.
Reimbursement can be sought from your respective medical aid providers.
Make An Appointment
And let’s start this journey of better health.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do chiropractic adjustments hurt?
Chiropractic adjustments, when done to the specific joint subluxation, very rarely hurt and can generally have a positive effect on the patients symptoms immediately. Occasionally, chiropractic adjustments can seem a bit uncomfortable due to increased tissue tension created when reaching an end range of motion before delivering the high velocity, low amplitude adjustment.
There are times, especially in acute cases, when the severity of inflammation and muscle spasms/tension in the affected area, as well as patient resistance, can make adjustments a bit more difficult. Care is always taken by the practitioner in these cases to ensure the adjustments are gentle and delivered correctly.
What is that clicking sound? Are you cracking my bones?
When delivering a chiropractic adjustment, often, but not always, you may hear a popping or cracking noise. This is not your bones breaking. This sound is caused by small pockets of air which are present in the fluid that surrounds your joints. During a chiropractic adjustment, the spinal facet joint and tissues undergo gentle stretching, which in turn causes the pockets of air to “pop” hence creating the cracking sound you hear. This pop is currently termed a “cavitation.”
Are chiropractors real doctors?
How would you define a doctor? Someone who diagnoses? Someone who prescribes medicine? There is a common misconception amongst the public that a doctor is someone who prescribes pills or performs operations, but sadly, many people believe this is the best or only method of health care which is the furthest from the truth.
A doctor receives extensive training in their area of expertise that allows them to be diagnosticians (to diagnose). Chiropractors are Primary Contact Practitioners – they are diagnosticians. How? Like other primary health care doctors, chiropractic students spend a significant portion of their curriculum studying medical science for 4 years, including extensive anatomy, physiology, diagnostics, pathology, biochemistry, psychology, nutrition, and microbiology. This is followed by further chiropractic education, clinical practice, and graduating with a Masters qualification.
A chiropractor has equally extensive education in basic human health sciences as any other doctor. But how a chiropractor differs is the philosophy behind how those health sciences are applied to caring for an individual to maximise their health.
Here is an example for you:
Medical conditions such as kidney stones, prostatic cancer, TB or an abdominal aortic aneurysm (amongst others) can cause and present as back pain, as well as other signs and symptoms. It is our responsibility as doctors of chiropractors to understand how these medical conditions may present and to take an extensive case history of the patient to either rule out or confirm any red flags (warning signs) before proceeding with treatment. A patients overall wellbeing is a chiropractors utmost concern.
So the word ‘doctor’ is derived from the Latin word ‘to teach’. So if doctors are meant to teach, we should be teaching our patients how to reach full and complete health from a holistic perspective. Overall wellbeing and function are key.
So, is a chiropractor a real doctor?
Yes, a real doctor with a unique purpose, concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of mechanical disorders of the neuromusculoskeletal system, especially, but not limited to, the spine.
I don’t have any pain, so why should I see a chiropractor?
I think a misconception has developed because it’s been drilled into us that we only see a doctor or healthcare practitioner when we are sick and injured. But this is not the case for chiropractic care. It is always important to listen to your body when it whispers, rather than waiting for it to scream.
The most important thing people need to understand about health is this: “Health is not about how you feel, it is about how well your body is functioning.” Just because we lack pain, does that mean we’re functioning 100%? Absolutely not. The physical feeling of a disease or niggle may have spent ages manifesting and you weren’t even aware of it. For example, in 60% of cases of cardiovascular disease, the first symptom is either a heart attack or death – that is a pretty alarming fact. We may feel fine, but our bodies might not be functioning effectively. As the world advances, our bodies undertake increased stress levels and we develop this attitude that we are invincible, we can handle everything. But the reality is, this has a direct effect on the homeostasis of our bodies. And this is where chiropractic care comes in.
We believe in achieving a healthy spine and nervous system because the nervous system controls and coordinates every organ and cell in the body. We influence the system that runs ALL other systems in the body. Therefore, it is absolutely crucial that it is functioning correctly. We can identify subluxations that rob the body’s ability to focus, think, organise and heal; and then provide chiropractic adjustments to help restore homeostasis (proper function) to the nervous system. Maintain a well adjusted healthy spine and nervous system and head towards health and full expression of life. We use our bodies every single day, look after yourself.
“The preservation of health is easier than the cure for disease” – BJ Palmer.
Can I see a chiropractor if I’m pregnant?
Yes of course! Many pregnant women find that chiropractic adjustments improve pregnancy experience and make delivery easier. During pregnancy, there are numerous physiological and endocrinological changes that take place to create the perfect environment for your baby to grow. Pregnancy causes postural and pelvic changes, increased muscle tension, hormonal changes that result in joint and ligament loosening, alters lumbar motion patterns and muscle responses. ALL these effects can result in a misaligned spine and/or joints, which in turn affects the nervous system negatively, and causes you a great deal of discomfort.
Chiropractic adjustments are adapted during pregnancy to accommodate the stage of pregnancy and the specific needs of the patient.
Do I need a referral from a medical doctor?
One does not require a referral from another medical doctor as chiropractors are primary care practitioners (PCP). A PCP is a health care practitioner who sees people that have common medical problems. This person is most often a doctor. Your PCP is often involved in your care for a long time. Therefore, it is important to choose someone with whom you will work well.
More often than not, sometimes when seeing a general practitioner, they might not point you in the direction of a chiropractor. Understand what your options of care are, and find the best PCP for your medical problem.
For more information, refer to the other FAQ, “Are chiropractors real doctors?”
Contact Details
Address
Virginia Medical Centre, 55 Hinton Grove, Virginia, Durban North, 4051
Phone
“Get to know me more and follow my passion for life, health, and fitness.”
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