What is Chiropractic?

In the realm of healthcare, chiropractic stands out as a distinguished profession dedicated to the precise diagnosis, effective treatment, and comprehensive management of neuro-musculoskeletal conditions, particularly those impacting the spine and limbs. Embodying the essence of hands-on care, chiropractic is renowned globally as a leading form of manual therapy, celebrated for its medication-free approach. It is recognized for its significant potential in delivering cost-effective solutions for neuro-muscular and musculoskeletal disorders.

As primary healthcare providers, chiropractors are expertly trained to assess, treat, manage, and prevent a wide array of musculoskeletal system disorders, including those affecting bones, joints, and muscles, while also considering the consequential impacts on the nervous system and overall health. They are adept at employing non-invasive treatment techniques and, when necessary, will judiciously refer patients to medical specialists for medication or surgical interventions.

Chiropractors excel in working with the spine and joints, striving to achieve optimal alignment through meticulous manipulation, which can lead to substantial pain relief for patients grappling with various conditions. This patient-centric approach is further augmented by chiropractors' advocacy for healthy lifestyle choices, encompassing smoking cessation, stress reduction, and the promotion of balanced diets and regular exercise.

“Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it”.

“Where there is no vision, the people perish”.

Vision Statement and Mission Statement

Vision Statement

To improve patient’s quality of everyday life. I have a special interest in chronic pain syndromes.

Mission Statement

To build a reputable practice on the four pillars of evidence based practice, honesty, reliability and trust.

Goals

To stay abreast with the latest research and techniques through continuing professional development (CPD); and

to acquire more treatment techniques to provide patients with alternate/additional options to improve their quality of life.

Our Stance on Patient Care

We offer our patients a listening ear and TIME:

T - Thorough, Holistic Treatment

I - Innovation and Inspiration

M - Multiple Techniques/Modalities

E - Education regarding General Health

Dr. Melissa Terblanche, born in Ladysmith, KwaZulu Natal, and a seasoned Durban-educated chiropractor, is a dynamic and innovative professional in the field of chiropractic care. After matriculating from Gelofte School in 1996, she embarked on her chiropractic journey at Technikon Natal in 1998, culminating in a Master's Degree in Chiropractic in 2004. Dr. Melissa's career took a pioneering turn when she became the world's first chiropractor to practice at sea aboard the prestigious Queen Mary 2, setting a precedent for Cunard to continue employing chiropractors on their vessels.

Married to Dr. Matthys G Heyneke, a general practitioner in Bloemfontein since 2010, Dr. Melissa balances her professional life with a rich array of hobbies, including playing the piano, graphic design, interior decorating, and culinary arts. She prides herself on being passionately curious and thrives on creativity, often thinking outside the box to tackle challenging cases and enhance patient care.

With a keen interest in chronic pain syndromes and a special focus on Endometriosis, Dr. Melissa adopts a holistic approach to treatment, emphasizing the importance of understanding the interconnectedness of the body's systems. Her philosophy is centered on treating the individual as a whole rather than merely addressing symptoms.

As a Certified Chiropractic Sports Practitioner (ICCSP), Dr. Melissa excels in optimizing athlete function, mobility, and performance while preventing injuries. Her expertise extends to the fascial, lymphatic, blood flow, and nervous systems, and their impact on quality of life.

Beyond her clinical work, Dr. Melissa is dedicated to education. She is a qualified RockTape South Africa instructor, a Certified Kinesio Taping Technician Instructor (CKTP+), and has shared her knowledge as a guest lecturer at the University of the Free State, contributing to the development of future medical professionals. Dr. Melissa Terblanche is not just a chiropractor; she is a visionary in her field, committed to the well-being and advancement of her patients and students alike.

Dr Melissa’s Qualifications, Certifications, Registrations and Memberships

Qualifications and Certifications

Master’s Degree in Chiropractic M.Tech. Chiro

Internationally Certified Chiropractic Sports Practitioner (ICCSP) FICS

Professional Diploma in Sports and Exercise Nutrition

KT-1 Kinesio Taping Fundamental Concepts

KT-2 Kinesio Taping Advanced Concepts and Corrective Techniques

KT-3 Kinesio Taping Clinical Concepts and Advanced Taping Methods

Certified Kinesio Taping Practitioner (CKTP)

Certified Kinesio Taping Instructor Lab Assistant

Be Activated Muscle Activation Certification (Level 1&2)

RockTape FMT Basic and Performance Certified

RockTape FMT Blades and Blades Advanced Certified (IASTM)

RockTape FMT Integrate Certified

RockTape FMT Pods Certified

RockTape FMT Floss Certified (compression band therapy)

RockTape Movement Specialist Certified

Registrations

Board of Healthcare Funders (BHF) PR No. 0154563

Allied Health Professions Council of South Africa (AHPCSA) AHPCSA Registration No. A07738

Memberships

Chiropractic Association of South Africa (CASA)

International Federation of Sports Chiropractic (FICS)

ChiroSport South Africa

PainSA

Services Offered.

Spinal Manipulation

Spinal Mobilization

Soft Tissue Mobilization

Shockwave Therapy

Deep Oscillation Therapy

Kinesio Taping

Kinesiology Taping

RockPodsTherapy

Dry Needling

Acupuncture for Neuro Musculo-skeletal Conditions

IASTM - Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Manipulation

Posture Analysis (Static Standing, Seated and Functional Movement Analysis)

Compression Band Therapy

Dynamic Taping

McConnal Strapping

Elastic Sports Strapping

Muscle Activation

Myofascial Therapy

Soft Tissue Therapy

Dr Melissa’s Favorite Brands.

“It is not called being picky, it’s called not compromising your standards”.

Dr. Melissa is a discerning professional who prides herself on selecting only the finest consumables and equipment for her practice, which she has been nurturing since 2005. Her philosophy centers on the belief that quality investments in healthcare tools are essential for delivering exceptional patient care. She operates on the principle that patients should not be burdened with additional costs for consumables, ensuring that her treatment decisions remain focused solely on patient welfare.

In her well-equipped clinic, Dr. Melissa favors the precision and reliability of Spine Align Chiropractic Tables, including a state-of-the-art horizontal elevation table and a versatile Hi-Lo table with drop pieces. Her passion for innovation extends to therapeutic taping techniques, where she skillfully employs a variety of tapes such as RockTape Kinesiology Tape, Kinesio FP Tape, Dynamic Mechanical Tape, Ares Kinesiology Tape, and Leuko Sports Strapping to enhance patient recovery.

For acupuncture and dry needling, she exclusively uses Orca Acupuncture Needles, reflecting her commitment to superior quality. Her long-standing preference for the VitaMed Vibration Massager is a testament to its effectiveness, while her enthusiasm for the Hypervolt Percussion Massager, along with the Hypersphere and Hypersphere Mini Massage Balls, showcases her dedication to cutting-edge tools that promote body awareness and circulation.

In 2013, Dr. Melissa made a significant investment in the Storz Shockwave MP 200 Master Pulse Silver Edition, embracing advanced technology for the treatment of tendon and ligament conditions. Additionally, she incorporates Deep Oscillation Therapy into her practice, offering a gentle yet powerful option for patients experiencing severe pain. Dr. Melissa's commitment to excellence is evident in every aspect of her practice, ensuring that her patients receive the highest standard of chiropractic care.

“The key to getting the most from choice is to be choosy about choosing”.

Sheena Iyengar

Payment Policy

Kindly note that all consultation fees are payable on the day of your consultation.  This practice charges Medical Aid Rates, as per NHRPL.

We charge patients a discounted rate between R100,00 and R180,00 per consultation if the patient pays us first and claim back from their Medical Aid themselves.

We do not charge for consumables used during your treatment session, e.g. tape, strapping, alcohol swabs, needles, etc.

We do not charge procedure codes for the reading and interpretation of X-Rays, Scans, Ultrasounds, etc.

We do not charge patients for referral letters.

Should a current patient require additional taping by itself without treatment between sessions, there will be no charge. However, this will be determined at the discretion of Dr Terblanche.

Should you require “General Taping” the cost will be R150.00, whereas “Performance Taping” will be about R250.00. Again, these amounts will be determined by Dr Terblanche’s discretion.

Please note that we subscribe to ACCOUNTABILITY. Your creditworthiness is an important asset - protect it by paying promptly.

Practice Policy Regarding “Shadowing”.

Please note that we respect our patients’ privacy.  Therefore, we do not allow scholars or prospective Chiropractic students to sit in and observe patient consultations and treatment.