Striding for a healthier community

If you’re a regular to Macaulay Rd, you would have noticed the fresh new fit-out and distinctive orange branding of Kensington’s Stride Health Collective.

The family-owned and -run business, which offers chiropractic, remedial massage and dietetic services, was founded by Dr Tom Black (Chiropractor) and Caitlyn Hack, with the sole purpose of creating a positive impact on their clients by creating an exciting space that focuses on patient outcomes first and foremost.

Both coming from small country towns, Dr Black spent the early part of his working career in the regions, while Ms Hack nursed in the city.

The couple then decided to open up shop at 526 Macaulay Rd (directly across from Hardimans Hotel) in March this year.

While Kensington’s tight-knit village feel was a strong, alluring factor in the couple’s decision to move to the area, Dr Black told North West City News it was this friendly community vibe and proximity to the inner-city which vindicated the move into what he describes as the “perfect location”.

“It took about six months for us to get this space into a position where we were ready to welcome new patients,” Dr Black said.

“Now, with our purpose-built rehabilitation area, which features a Noraxon Motion Capture System, chiropractic, remedial massage and dietetic services, we can tailor a comprehensive treatment plan regardless of your age and level of health.”

The motion capture technology allows Dr Black, through the aid of sensors attached to his client’s lower body, to digitally project an individual’s skeleton on-screen and identify any problems that cannot be seen with the naked eye, and then target those areas for improvement.

According to Dr Black, performing a thorough movement evaluation is crucial in managing and preventing chronic pain. There are ideal motions that make us efficient, and anything outside of that can contribute to a host of issues, including lower back pain.

Along with state-of-the-art motion analysis, Dr Black’s specific chiropractic approach to healthcare primarily focuses on the musculoskeletal systems (bones, joints, muscles and ligaments) and the neurological system (brain, nerves and spinal cord). His treatment follows through manipulation of the spine, soft tissue therapies and rehabilitation exercises.

After two years of a work-from-home revolution, Dr Black said he often provided treatment and advice for clients to avoid poor working posture or as he referred to it as “tech neck.”

“Taking regular breaks is an obvious one. It’s okay to be in a certain position for short periods, but when you are stuck in a certain position for eight or nine hours a day, that is when it becomes problematic,” Dr Black said.

“Make sure your screen is at the right height – eye height to the top of the screen – you need a chair with proper lumbar support or if it doesn’t have that, lumbar rolls are really good at providing support for the lumbar spine.”

“A big one is when people sit with their legs too close together. When you sit on a chair with your legs together, your pelvis wants to naturally round over and curl back; by getting your legs out of the way, you feel more comfortable keeping your pelvis upright, and the rest of the spine will follow.

Dr Black said treating common issues with lower back pain, neck pain and headaches not only relieved associated pain levels but improved sleep habits, balance and coordination, helped treat and prevent injuries and enhance overall health and wellbeing.

Adding to their credentials as a holistic health service is Caitlyn, who is already a registered nurse and has now completed her Master of Dietetics and Bachelor of Nutrition Science. 

“I’ll be able to provide clients with evidence-based and tailored nutrition and diet advice to help manage many health conditions including diabetes, gastrointestinal disorders, heart disease, food intolerances, pregnancy and general wellbeing,” Ms Hack said. •

For more information: stridehealthco.com.au

Caption: Stride Health Collective owners and founders, Tom and Caitlyn Black.