Individual experiences vary from person to person, but most people can expect some benefits soon after beginning care and for these to consolidate further as treatment continues. Most patients attend as a result of speaking to other satisfied patients. It is our hope that as you improve and understand chiropractic, you will tell others so that they may also benefit. For this reason, we have a wide range of pamphlets available that you are encouraged to read and take home for family and friends.
It is important that each family member has the opportunity to have their spine checked. We offer a complimentary spinal check for family members. The purpose of this screening procedure is to detect spinal faults that might benefit from chiropractic care. It is always up to you as to what you do with any information gained from this examination.
At your first visit, your chiropractor will ask you questions about your condition as well as about your overall health including medical conditions and previous injuries or surgeries.
You will have a physical examination performed so that we can formulate a diagnosis and plan.
Any concerns or queries about the plan and any risks associated with your care will be discussed and you will be asked to sign a consent to treatment form if you are happy to proceed.
If it is safe to do so, you will then be given treatment on the day. If it is not safe to perform treatment at the first visit, your chiropractor will advise you and refer you to your GP or for further scans and/or investigation.
You will often be given advice on how to manage your condition at home, whether that is activity modification, using ice or heat and/or stretches or exercises in order to help your recovery.
You can expect the whole appointment to run for approximately 45 minutes.
Chiropractors are health professionals, registered by law in Australia. Registration requires chiropractors to complete a 5 year university degree which is internationally accredited. Their training includes anatomy, physiology and diagnostic science, as well as chiropractic studies. This comprehensive knowledge means they are trained in knowing when a person will benefit from chiropractic care, and when referral to another health provider is required.
As a registered chiropractor, continuing professional development is required by law so that skills and knowledge are maintained to ensure patient safety.
Chiropractors are licensed by the WA Health department to request and interpret x-rays.
Chiropractic treatment is a safe, effective and natural approach to spinal healthcare, but like any treatment there are some risks. Some people may feel slight soreness following their first adjustment as the body begins to re-adapt. This is usually very mild and only lasts a short time.
Then there are very rare risks of infrequent strain/ injury to a ligament or disc in their neck (< 1 in 139 000) or the low back (1 in 62 000).
There is also an extremely rare risk of stroke associated with an adjustment of the neck which all published studies agree is extremely low. Recent data suggests that such an event occurs at 1 in 5.85 million adjustments.
In most cases, not at all. In fact most people find having an adjustment very relaxing.
Chiropractors have traditionally adjusted the spine by hand. Today, there a number of different techniques and equipment to assist with spinal care. Some may use a hand held instrument, others use pelvic blocks or table sections that drop away to mobilise the joints of the body. Special techniques are used for adjusting infants and children. Whatever the technique, Chiropractors use skill, not force or strength, to improve joint function.
DVA – so long as you have the appropriate referral from your GP we accept DVA payments and will claim them on your behalf
ICWA – if you have a claim number set up we can claim directly for you, if you are still in the process of obtaining a claim number we kindly ask you to pay in full and claim through ICWA yourself until then
CCMP – GP’s can refer for up to 5 allied health visits through medicare per calendar year. If you have a plan from your doctor we will gladly accept these
Chiropractors are traditionally associated with treating the spine and the nervous system. This may look like:
We are however, trained to treat most musculoskeletal conditions. This might look like:
If you’re not sure if we can help with something, please ask! If we are unable to help, we are likely to know who can.
Chiropractors are primary health carers which means that you do not need a referral from your doctor to have an appointment. If however, you are wishing to claim the visits through a program such as the Chronic Condition Management Plan through Medicare or through DVA, you will need a referral from your doctor first.
