FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

People often seek out a chiropractor for help regarding back pain, neck pain or headaches, as well as for health and wellbeing.

Increasingly, research shows that early assessment and management of musculoskeletal complaints by qualified professionals, such as a chiropractor, leads to better outcomes.

Chiropractors are trained to manage musculoskeletal complaints, provide rehabilitative care, promote positive lifestyle changes and educate our people – empowering them with the tools to reach their health goals.

While chiropractors are known for adjusting the spine (spinal manipulation), we actually use a patient centered, evidenced based, multi-modal model of care. We use a range of manual therapies including spinal manipulation, mobilisation, muscle and soft tissue techniques. We provide rehabilitation and exercise prescription and lifestyle advice. All of which has been shown to benefit people with a range of musculoskeletal conditions.

As with all health care professionals, chiropractors will assess a person’s presenting complaint, perform a thorough relevant examination and develop a treatment plan to meet the needs of that person.

To quote the ACA –

“Chiropractors use skill, not force or strength to conduct specific chiropractic adjustments. Various types of manual therapy and low force interventions are also used where appropriate

“Chiropractic care has a very low risk profile, especially when compared with more invasive methods of spinal healthcare however, all forms of chiropractic treatment have the potential for adverse reactions in some people.”

The chiropractic adjustment is the application of a precise, controlled force in a specific direction to introduce movement to a fixated joint. The goal is to help improve or restore movement in the joint. This will gradually improve movement patterns and function in the body.

While brief discomfort after an adjustment can occur, it is rare and most people find having an adjustment very relaxing.

Chiropractors use skill, not force or strength, to deliver their adjustments with the highest degree of safety and effectiveness.

With some adjustments you may hear or feel a popping sound from the spinal joints. This is simply caused by a change in pressure within the joint as movement is improved.

In Australia, chiropractors share a common tertiary education pathway with physiotherapists and osteopaths and chiropractors are required to complete a five year university degree.

Included in our tertiary studies are: basic sciences, clinical sciences, physical therapy, physical rehabilitation, radiology, nutrition, paediatrics, geriatrics, public health and evidence based practice. As primary healthcare professionals there are an array of clinical subjects related to physical assessment and patient care. In the final year chiropractors are required to do a full year of supervised clinical internship.

Chiropractors continue learning throughout their career as they are required to complete mandatory continuing education to maintain their registration.

All chiropractors must be registered with the Chiropractic Board of Australia and meet the Board’s registration standards, in order to practice in Australia.