Newcastle Chiropractic

Newcastle Chiropractic Centre first opened its doors in 1965 with Gerd & John Dickins as owners. They had both graduated as Doctors of Chiropractic at Palmer College in Iowa, USA. At the time Palmer College, as the Fountain Head of Chiropractic, offered the most well known and prestigeous program in the world.

The high level of education and skill set them appart from the locally trained practitioners and muscle manipulators of the time. Their hands on, safe, yet effective methods of treatment and approach to health care became popular quickly in the then 'Steel City' of Newcastle.

Sadly and unfortunately, they were forced to abandon the practice when John became ill. They returned to his native England where he passed away and Gerd established a new home.

In 1971 Frank & Nola Smith, again both Doctors of Chiropractic from Palmer College in the USA, bought the practice. Frank had grown up in Sydney, Nola in New Zealand with earlier careers in law and accountancy respectively. Frank graduated 'cum laudae' while Nola was the graduate of the year with the distinction of graduating 'cum magnum'.

During their time at Newcastle Chiropractic Centre they developed a very popular practice with a solid reputation. Many loyal patients remain to this day and call in for an adjustment or spine check when needed.

In 1996 ownership went to Daniel Danuser, the first Australian trained Chiropractor at the Centre. He graduated from what is now RMIT University winning several awards for academic excellence.

He originally joined the Smith's practice as an associate in 1988 following a working holiday in NZ where he practiced in Greymouth and Queenstown. He left Newcastle in 1991 for more studies and travel overseas. Upon his return Frank Smith retired while the hugely popular Nola continued to work part time until 2002.

During Nola's last month at the practice Chris Denham joined the by now fully refurbished clinic. He was the first locally born and Macquarie University trained chiropractor at Newcastle Chiropractic Centre.

After completing his Master's degree he practiced in Taree as an associate for two years before returning to his home town where he is well know through his involvement with soccer and badminton.

In 2005 Jessica Cross, from Wellington in Western NSW, also with a Masters of Chiropractic degree from Macquarie University, joined the Centre to mark its 40th year in service to the local community. She filled the gap left by Nola to provide a quality service by a female practitioner.

By 2007 Astrid Ramsden from Sydney became the second new graduate to take up a position with Daniel and Chris at Newcastle Chiropractic Centre. This permitted Chris to take extended leave and travel the world with a working holiday in Ireland.

2009 brought another change with Astrid's return to Sydney and Kimberly Richter joing the practice. She also was a new graduate but this time from the Canadian Memorial College of Chiropractic in Toronto, Canada. Her life's history included being a successful track and field athlete and enthusiastic sports person with a curiosity about life Down Under.

Our Chiropractic Philosophy centres around the following principles :

We endevour to continue to offer a pragmatic, low fuss approach to health issues affecting the spine and skeleton in particluar and body in general.

We enjoy working hands on and low tech to solve problems using common sense, empathy and our skills and knowledge as health professionals.

We appreciate the governing importance of the brain and nervous system, along with the cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, reproductive, immune and hormonal systems, to maintain homeostasis and let us all survive and thrive. Without their integrity and balanced workings, background physiological functions would not occur and life could not be lived to the full.

Hence it is our mission to help anyone achieve their fullest potential using natural, effective and safe methods with an emphasis on hands on care.