Chiropractic
What is Chiropractic Care?
What is Chiropractic Care?
Chiropractic is an allied health profession that specialises in the diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal conditions of the spine and extremities.
Chiropractic is an allied health profession that specialises in the diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal conditions of the spine and extremities.
A chiropractor uses a broad range of methods to diagnose musculoskeletal conditions, including a thorough health history, physical (hands-on) clinical examination, and diagnostic imaging such as x-rays, CT, ultrasound and/or MRIs. These and other diagnostic methods are used to determine when chiropractic treatment is appropriate.
A chiropractor uses a broad range of methods to diagnose musculoskeletal conditions, including a thorough health history, physical (hands-on) clinical examination, and diagnostic imaging such as x-rays, CT, ultrasound and/or MRIs. These and other diagnostic methods are used to determine when chiropractic treatment is appropriate.
A chiropractor's treatment is primarily performed by using their hands to examine and treat health conditions related to the bones, muscles, and joints (i.e.: musculoskeletal problems). They provide musculoskeletal care based on the relationship between the nervous system and the body.
A chiropractor's treatment is primarily performed by using their hands to examine and treat health conditions related to the bones, muscles, and joints (i.e.: musculoskeletal problems). They provide musculoskeletal care based on the relationship between the nervous system and the body.
However, a chiropractor is also trained to prescribe exercises to rehabilitate health conditions and improve the human biomechanics related to the bones, muscles, and joints, as well as to provide nutritional, dietary and lifestyle advice.
However, a chiropractor is also trained to prescribe exercises to rehabilitate health conditions and improve the human biomechanics related to the bones, muscles, and joints, as well as to provide nutritional, dietary and lifestyle advice.
The diagnosis is essential and during this stage if chiropractic care is not appropriate, or if your health condition needs to be co-managed with other health care professionals, the chiropractor will refer you to the appropriate health care provider.
The diagnosis is essential and during this stage if chiropractic care is not appropriate, or if your health condition needs to be co-managed with other health care professionals, the chiropractor will refer you to the appropriate health care provider.
You do not need a referral to see a chiropractor unless you are seeking treatment through Veterans’ Affairs or the Medicare Chronic Disease Management Program.
You do not need a referral to see a chiropractor unless you are seeking treatment through Veterans’ Affairs or the Medicare Chronic Disease Management Program.
When to consider Chiropractic Care
When to consider Chiropractic Care
Do you or have you experience painful joints, muscle aches/pain, spine pain, or a decreased ability to move? These can be caused by work, accidents, sports injuries, instabilities, household chores, and even the stress of daily living.
Do you or have you experience painful joints, muscle aches/pain, spine pain, or a decreased ability to move? These can be caused by work, accidents, sports injuries, instabilities, household chores, and even the stress of daily living.
Chiropractic care could help if you are experiencing these symptoms, or if they are affecting your ability to get through the day, or prevent you from participating in your favourite activities.
Chiropractic care could help if you are experiencing these symptoms, or if they are affecting your ability to get through the day, or prevent you from participating in your favourite activities.
It can also help with maintaining healthy spine and joint function, even if you do not have any painful symptoms.
It can also help with maintaining healthy spine and joint function, even if you do not have any painful symptoms.
People commonly visit a chiropractor for help with:
People commonly visit a chiropractor for help with:
- Back pain
- Neck pain
- Headaches
Jaw Pain
- Whiplash
- Strains and sprains from daily activities
- Overuse injuries -such as knee or leg pain, shoulder or wrist pain (tendinopathies)
- Work and sports-related injuries
- Arthritis
- Restricted movement in the back, shoulders, neck or ANY limb.
What to expect from your first Chiropractic consult
What to expect from your first Chiropractic consult
Your first Chiropractic appointment will be 40 minutes. This time is used to establish a solid diagnosis and allow your chiropractor to address the issues you would like help with.
Your first Chiropractic appointment will be 40 minutes. This time is used to establish a solid diagnosis and allow your chiropractor to address the issues you would like help with.
Once you have booked in for your initial appointment:
Once you have booked in for your initial appointment:
- You will be sent an initial intake form.
- Please fill this in with as much detail as possible.
- Your chiropractor will read this prior to your appointment and will ask for any relevant documentation to be provided or brought with you.
- The form can be filled out on a phone or computer.
- If you do not have access to either, it can be filled out at the Clinic.
- You will receive a confirmation email and/or an SMS with your appointment date/time.
When you attend a chiropractic examination your chiropractor will:
When you attend a chiropractic examination your chiropractor will:
- Conduct a thorough medical history assessment.
- Perform a thorough physical examination; including but not limited to:
- Taking your vital signs – namely your body temperature, pulse, respiration (breathing) rate and blood pressure.
- Range of motion testing and visually inspection – designed to identify movement restriction, pain on movement, or assess visual deficits.
- Palpation (using hands to examine) of your spine and the muscles and other soft tissues that support it.
- Orthopaedic Examinations – these are designed to detect health conditions relating to the spine, bones, joints, muscles, and soft tissues, including ligaments and tendons.
- Neurological Examinations – these are designed to assess the function of your motor, sensory and cranial nerves (such as testing your reflexes and testing for numbness).
Should there be further investigation required, your chiropractor can also refer you directly for other diagnostic tests such as an x-ray or ultrasound.
Should there be further investigation required, your chiropractor can also refer you directly for other diagnostic tests such as an x-ray or ultrasound.
After the examination:
After the examination:
- Your chiropractor will create a working diagnosis and explain what the diagnosis means to you.
- A diagnosis is the most likely cause of your primary complaint/issue.
- The diagnosis explanation includes the natural history of the cause, the treatment options available to you and any benefits or risks associated with those treatments.
At any time during this process, should you have any questions, you have the right to stop and ask for clarification from your clinician. They will always answer to the best of their ability.
At any time during this process, should you have any questions, you have the right to stop and ask for clarification from your clinician. They will always answer to the best of their ability.
