CHIROPRACTOR | LYDIA McCLEAN

writer PETER WHITE // photograph LOGAN WEST HEALTHANDWELLBEING

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“I am in awe of the power that chiropractic has to influence our lives for the better, right from the day we are born,” says LYDIA McCLEAN. “I love seeing this come to life and I can’t wait to share it with everyone.” The 28-year-old from Auckland has worked for Advanced Health Chiropractic in Glen Eden since the start of 2020. Lydia says it is more of a lifestyle than just a job. “In our practice we work with families a lot. If you are in the role of looking after and nurturing families to be as healthy and adaptable as possible, you are going to live that yourself. “I wake up every day with the health and the vibrancy I want. It’s awesome and it’s fun.” Working with her patients begins with assessing their health goals and any limitations they might be experiencing, Lydia runs a series of tests to help to understand the function of the spine and nervous system of that person. “The nervous system is like a master controller of the body, a computer network of the body, so if that is working well the body has the best opportunity to work well too,” she says. “Chiropractic is all about assessing that. We know that lifestyle and different stressors are going to add stress to that nervous system, which means we are less adaptable or may not function as well as we would expect to. Down the line that is where we see health issues. “As chiropractors, we perform regular spinal checks and adjustments to ensure that the nervous system is free of interference and functioning at its best. Think of them as tune ups and every couple of months we run all those tests again and see just how that person is changing and responding. “For most people it becomes part of their health routine. Like you brush your teeth, you get your spine and nervous system checked and adjusted.” Lydia went to Macleans College, where she took Biology, English, Classics, Maths and PE in Year 13. “I wanted to work in early childhood and cross over with nutrition but I did it through a different pathway and now I look after a whole lot of young families as a chiropractor.” She began studying a Bachelor of Science in Dunedin but after a year switched to doing a Bachelor of Chiropractic taught through the New Zealand College of Chiropractic in Auckland. Lydia says a growing demand for chiropractic care in New Zealand means career options are plentiful for graduates. “There is a real need for more chiropractors here so there is no shortage of jobs. When you are in a health profession like chiropractic you really do form a community, we all know each other and there is always someone you are referring to around the country. “A career in chiropractic suits people who really are passionate about health and wellbeing, who have a curiosity about the brain or the body, and someone who really likes working in a collaborative nature. “The New Zealand College of Chiropractic has the most highly renowned research centre in the world, so there is a career avenue for you there too.”

Discover how a career in chiropractic can align with your life and career goals.

If making a positive impact on the health and wellbeing of individuals, families and communities inspires you, then a career in chiropractic is for you. To find out more, and to catch us at one of our information events in your area, visit chiropractic.ac.nz/discover

KEY FACTS

■ LYDIA McCLEAN HAS A BACHELOR OF CHIROPRACTIC FROM THE

NEW ZEALAND COLLEGE OF CHIROPRACTIC IN AUCKLAND. ■ SHE WORKS AS A CHIROPRACTOR AT ADVANCED HEALTH CHIROPRACTIC

IN GLEN EDEN, AUCKLAND. ■ LYDIA SAYS THERE ARE PLENTY OF CAREER OPPORTUNITIES IN CHIROPRACTIC – THERE IS NO SHORTAGE OF JOBS. For more information on the study options with the New Zealand College of Chiropractic, visit www.chiropractic.ac.nz