John and Hayden, the founders of Equilibrium are pleased to introduce our passionate team of professionals dedicated to enhancing your health and wellbeing. 

Scroll across to meet each of us...

Meet Hayden and John.

These long time friends bumped into one another at the Nelson Trolley Derby in 2006 and on discovering they were both at a fork in the road of life, the seed to create Equilibrium was sown.

A year later in early 2007, they moved into a very different and creative space tucked away in Church Street, in the heart of Nelson City and the business has grown from there into a busy multi-disciplinary practice including chiropractic, physiotherapy, yoga, pilates, mindfulness classes and more.

"We have breathed new life into a fantastic inner city premises, with a difference. We have 'recycled and re-defined' a dis-used inner city industrial warehouse and have transformed it into an airy, light-filled professional premises with a New York loft style, gallery feel.

Our fit-out has been done with biological and ecological principles in mind and is a relaxing and inspiring environment.

Almost twenty years on we still thoroughly enjoy the space we have created, and even more so the fantastic team that has evolved."

John and Hayden are passionate chiropractors who are incredibly client-focused and continually seek to provide the best care and advice possible for the benefit of individuals, families and the community.

I was born and raised right here in sunny Nelson and am loving raising my three gorgeous daughters with my wife Hayley in this wonderful place.

My first encounter with chiropractic was as a baby as I had a difficult delivery in which forceps were used and I would only turn my head to one side to feed. Ever since, I have enjoyed regular adjustments throughout my life. This inspired me to become a chiropractor to help others live to their optimum potential.

I graduated from the University of Auckland in 1999 with a BSc. in physiology and from the New Zealand College of Chiropractic in 2001 with my chiropractic degree. I then spent several months undertaking continuing training at Life Chiropractic College West in San Francisco, USA where I enjoyed learning more about sports chiropractic and extremity adjusting. I worked as a locum chiropractor for several years around New Zealand and then in a practice in Cork, Ireland for a year and a half before returning to Nelson to set up Equilibrium with John.

I am passionate about how chiropractic care can help individuals of all ages. I am actively involved in the New Zealand Chiropractors’ Association having served for 6 years as its president and also 2 years as co-chair of Allied Health Aotearoa NZ (AHANZ). I am currently a Pacific Representative on the World Federation Of Chiropractic Board of Directors.

I also have a strong interest in art, architecture, design, and environmental issues.

Favourite Quote:

“when life is full of wonder, life is wonderful”

― anonymous

I am originally from Columbus Ohio, USA and come from a large family of ten children. I have been living in Nelson for over 25 years and have two beautiful daughters, Phoebe and Chelsea. I was inspired to study chiropractic following a severe wrestling injury in my late teens. This natural approach to health and healing made a lot of sense to me and so began my educational journey in this dynamic profession.

I am a long standing member of the New Zealand Chiropractors' Association and am presently completing a Wellness Certification Program endorsed by the International Chiropractic Association.

I enjoy being a chiropractor and have a particular passion and interest in the power of good lifestyle choices and the impact that can have on overall health and vitality. It is a joy to see people express better health as they begin to eat, move and think in ways that support their physiology and natural healing processes. I love working as part of our exceptional team here at Equilibrium.

I feel blessed to live in such a beautiful place as Nelson. I have always enjoyed the outdoors and what the Nelson region has to offer. I have been fortunate to pursue many interests and these days I enjoy a regular practice of yoga, walking, cycling, gardening and anything to do with food!

Favourite quote:

“As goes the habitat, so goes the inhabitants”

― Dr James L. Chestnut

My chiropractic journey started as a patient, encouraged by Helen back before we were married.  I soon became a strong advocate - advising others to try chiropractic.

In 1984 I resigned my position as Head Chemist at Golden Bay Cement and we moved to Melbourne with one-year old Jeremy to start a 5-year chiropractic degree program.  At that time there was no chiropractic training in New Zealand.

I completed the degree in late 1988 and we returned to Nelson.  I have practiced here ever since in both group and solo practice situations. Jeremy was joined by two other sons, Nick and Simon – all three now married and living offshore.  We have two grandchildren in London. 

Moving my practice to merge with the Equilibrium team has freed us to visit the family with the knowledge that while we are away my patients will be well looked after by the team.

Tom is a physiotherapist with a special interest in neurological rehabilitation. Having spent plenty of time with physiotherapists for his own sporting injuries or visiting his mum whilst she worked at the local spinal injury hospital, he developed a passion for helping people reach their goals from a young age.

Throughout his career Tom has gained valuable experience working in the hospital, community and private neurological rehabilitation, both locally and in Australia.

Tom is experienced in treating a wide variety of conditions both neurological and musculoskeletal in origin. He has a holistic approach to health and is passionate about empowering people to manage their personal health with professional guidance. Tom provides both hands-on physical care and exercise rehabilitation.

Tom can assist with common musculoskeletal conditions and injuries alongside his special interest in balance, dizziness and other neurological disorders (eg. post stroke care, Parkinson's disease, and various vestibular disturbances). He is a perfect fit for Equilibrium.

Hello Everyone!

My name is Charlie-Rose and I am the main face here on reception.

I started in June 2023 at Equilibrium and have loved working in this positive, uplifting environment.

A little bit about me - I was born here in Nelson, however I moved to little old Westport near the end of my Primary School days, where I stayed until I graduated High School in 2020 and Nelson has been my home ever since.

I am a qualified Beauty and Spa Therapist so slotting into a chiropractic and wellness environment made perfect sense as my next chapter!

I am enjoying learning more about health and wellbeing and seeing the transformation that can come from the inside with improved life choices. One of my favourite parts of the job, apart from the people, is creating and organising spaces and an environment to enjoy.

I absolutely love helping others to feel their best and even though I'm no longer the one working the magic, I still try brighten my own and others' days with those little smiles and conversations over the desk.

Looking forward to meeting and seeing you all!

- Charlie-Rose :)

With increasing hours and high demand, our front desk super star Charlie-Rose needed some extra assistance and flexibility and the lovely and highly experienced chirorpactic assistant, Eileen Searle, joining our team.

Eileen has previously worked at the former Loveday Clinic and more recently for a physiotherapy practice. She is excited to join our dynamic team and serve our wonderful clients. Eileen has many interests and talents including competing in triathlons, swim instructing, yoga, gardening and cooking.

Amy will be spotted occasionally supporting Charlie-Rose and Eileen on reception to give them both a bit more flexibility.

Amy comes full circle back to being a chiropractic assistant. Long-time patients of Peter Hillier's may recognise her lovely smile.  A former cycle postie, Amy also has a background in Health and Fitness through a degree from the University of Toronto, and has been working in the gym at Riverside Pool, assisting clients with exercise programs. She believes in maintaining fitness and mobility throughout life at all ages and stages, and loves hiking, dog walking, swimming, yoga and pottery. 

She looks forward to getting to know everyone at Equilibrium, and perhaps seeing a few familiar faces along the way!

Carla is a highly experienced musculoskeletal and women's health physiotherapist. Since graduating from Otago University in 2013, Carla has furthered her skills by completing post-graduate studies in women's health, the female athlete and movement analysis. She will be available for massage and soft tissue work, dry needling, taping, and rehabilitation exercise advice.

Carla is experienced in treating a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions and is extremely passionate about the health and well-being of her fellow wahine. She has a specific interest in abdominal separation (diastasis recti) in the post-natal population.

Carla embraces a holistic approach to health and believes that all should be empowered to live a happy and active lifestyle.

Carla is currently away on maternity leave.