01 · Find your first visit
Three questions, one recommendation.
Answer honestly — we would rather send you to the right person than sell you an appointment you do not need.
Where is your main issue?
How long have you had it?
What makes it worse?
02 · Meet the team
Two chiropractors, one practice.
Dr Sarah Chen
BChiroSc (NZCC) · Registered NZCB · ACC provider
Sarah has been adjusting spines in South Canterbury since 2014. She completed her Bachelor of Chiropractic Science at the NZ College of Chiropractic in Auckland, with a clinical focus on chronic lower-back pain and office-worker posture. Before Align, she worked at a multi-disciplinary sports clinic in Christchurch. She is the person you see for a first assessment.
Dr Matt Hargreaves
BChiroSc, PGDipSpMed · NZCB · Sports chiro
Matt joined Align in 2019 after eight years as a match-day chiropractor for South Canterbury Rugby. His postgraduate diploma is in sports medicine. He handles sports injuries, pre-season screening for local club teams, and the ACC-funded follow-up visits. If Sarah's quiz sends you to a sports consult, Matt is who you will see.
03 · Before & after care
What to do before and after your appointment.
Before your first visit
- Wear loose clothing you can move in — gym gear is fine
- Bring your ACC45 form if your GP has already lodged a claim
- List any medications you are taking, including supplements
- Arrive 10 minutes early to fill in the intake form (or download it from our email confirmation)
- Eat something light beforehand — some people feel dizzy during a first adjustment
After your adjustment
- Drink a full glass of water within the first hour
- Walk for 15 minutes — do not go home and sit on the couch
- Some soreness in the adjusted area is normal for 24–48 hours
- Avoid heavy lifting or high-impact exercise for the rest of the day
- Ice for 10 minutes if the area feels hot; heat if it feels stiff the next morning
- Ring us on 03 684 0000 if anything feels wrong — there is always someone available
04 · What patients say
Honest feedback, no cherry-picking.
"I had been putting up with a stiff neck for two years. Sarah found a locked joint at C5 in the first session and I could turn my head properly before I left. Three follow-ups over six weeks and I have not been back since."
"Matt sorted my shoulder out after a rugby injury that two physios had not resolved. He did not promise miracles — he said four to six weeks, and at week five I was back at training. Honest and effective."
"I took the quiz expecting to be told to book. It said 'see your GP first' because of the numbness in my feet. My GP ran tests and found a B12 deficiency — not a spine problem at all. I respect a clinic that turns away work when it is the right thing to do."
"I drive a truck between Timaru and Christchurch five days a week. Sarah gave me three exercises I do at every fuel stop. My lower back has not seized up once since I started doing them, and I have not needed another appointment."
05 · FAQ
Questions we hear every week.
Do I need a GP referral?
No. Chiropractors are primary-contact practitioners in New Zealand. You can book directly. If your issue is ACC-covered, we can lodge the claim ourselves.
How much does a first visit cost?
Initial assessment: $85 (45 minutes). Follow-up adjustment: $55 (20 minutes). ACC-covered visits have a co-payment of $25. We accept cash, EFTPOS, and Visa/Mastercard.
Is it covered by ACC?
If your issue is the result of an accident (a fall, a sports collision, a car crash), ACC covers most of the cost. You pay a co-payment of $25 per visit. We lodge the claim for you — bring your ACC45 form if your GP has already started one.
Will it hurt?
An adjustment is a quick, controlled movement. You may hear a pop (that is gas releasing from the joint, not bone cracking). Most people feel immediate relief. Some soreness for 24–48 hours is normal, similar to after exercise.
How many visits will I need?
It depends. Acute issues (less than two weeks old) often resolve in one to three visits. Chronic issues may need six to eight. We will give you an honest estimate after the first assessment — we do not sell treatment plans upfront.
Can I see a chiropractor while pregnant?
Yes. Sarah has additional training in prenatal chiropractic. We use modified techniques and a pregnancy-specific table. Many women find chiropractic care helps with lower-back pain and pelvic discomfort in the second and third trimesters.
Do you treat children?
We see children from age five for postural assessments and scoliosis screening. Techniques for children are gentler — no high-velocity adjustments. A parent must be present during the entire visit.
Where do I park?
Free two-hour parking on Stafford Street directly outside. If those spaces are taken, the Civic car park on Sophia Street is two minutes' walk and free for the first hour.
06 · Hours
Opening hours
| Day | Hours | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 8 am – 5:30 pm | Last appointment 5 pm |
| Tuesday | 8 am – 5:30 pm | |
| Wednesday | 8 am – 7 pm | Late clinic until 7 pm |
| Thursday | 8 am – 5:30 pm | |
| Friday | 8 am – 4 pm | Early close |
| Saturday | 9 am – 12 pm | Sports clinic only (Matt) |
| Sunday | Closed |
Find us
142 Stafford Street, Timaru 7910(Ground floor, next to the ANZ — look for the amber door)
03 684 0000 · reception@alignchiro.co.nz