Dr Nicole Bernic

Dr Nicole Bernic – Neurologically Based Chiropractic for Children & Families I take a neurologically based approach to chiropractic care, with a focus on the relationship between the brain, nervous system and the rest of the body. The brain and nervous system control and coordinate every function of the body. When the nervous system is able to communicate and adapt effectively, the body has a greater capacity to regulate, heal and function optimally. My role is to identify areas of interference within this system and gently work with the body to restore better communication between the brain and body. I look beyond the presenting symptom to understand why the nervous system may be struggling to regulate and adapt. This means taking a thorough case history and exploring the different forms of stress a person has experienced – physical, chemical, mental and emotional – from pre-conception and pregnancy, through the birth process and early development, to their current stage of life. For children from approximately 5–6 years of age and older, I also use a Stress Response Evaluation (SRE) as part of my assessment. This provides information about how the nervous system responds to different types of stress and how effectively it is able to recover afterwards. I also assess primitive reflexes, which can provide valuable insight into neurological development and nervous-system function. My care is gentle and highly specific. I primarily use Torque Release Technique (TRT), a low-force, tonal-based technique that uses a specialised adjusting instrument to deliver a very gentle and precise input to areas of subluxation or nervous-system interference. I also incorporate Sacro Occipital Technique (SOT), cranial work and Webster Technique, depending on the individual needs of the patient. Additional supportive therapies may include auricular therapy, using gentle stimulation of specific points on the ear to provide neurological input, as well as kinesio taping where appropriate. I believe that chiropractic care is about more than the adjustment itself. Understanding the stresses affecting the nervous system is an important part of care, so I also provide education, practical guidance and coaching to help children and families make changes that support better regulation, resilience and adaptability. My goal is not simply to address a symptom, but to understand the bigger picture – how the brain and body are communicating, how the nervous system is responding to stress, and what may be preventing it from adapting effectively. I work with whole families, from babies and children through to adults, because the nervous system does not function in isolation. Supporting each family member in regulating and adapting to stress can contribute to a healthier, more connected family environment and a better quality of life. Ultimately, my aim is to help children and adults develop a nervous system that is better able to regulate, adapt and respond to the demands of life, while supporting the body’s own capacity to heal and function at its best.