Chiropractic
What is chiropractic treatment?
Chiropractic treatment is an allied health service and type of physical therapy that helps to prevent, diagnose, manage, and treat musculoskeletal disorders. One of the ways in which this is done is through spinal manipulation.
Using their hands and other mechanical instruments, chiropractors manually manipulate and adjust the vertebrae of the spine and joints to achieve optimal alignment. The hip, knee, and shoulder are just some examples of the joints that are commonly targeted.
Who can benefit from chiropractic treatment?
Anyone! Because chiropractors are highly trained primary health care practitioners, anybody can take advantage of the benefits of chiropractic care without the need for a referral.
Chiropractic treatment is often performed in a preventative capacity. This means that even people who do not have a current musculoskeletal health issue can benefit from it.
It is also a great complementary therapy option for people who are experiencing musculoskeletal pain or other types of health problems.
At Chiro & Integrated Health, we specialise in chiropractic care for:
- Lower, middle, and upper back pain
- Neck pain
- Shoulder pain
- Rib pain
- Hip pain
- Sacroiliac joint pain
- Sciatica
- Headaches
- Posture
- Acute and chronic injuries (including whiplash and disc injuries)
We have experience in treating children and the elderly, and everybody in between.
What does chiropractic treatment involve?
Chiropractic treatment consists of a series of adjustments. These are quick, highly specific, small movements that are applied to the spine and joints. Adjustments help to ease pain, and restore proper movement and function.
During a chiropractic adjustment, a range of techniques may be used. These include traditional adjustments, soft tissue manipulation, and table or instrument-assisted manipulation.
Sometimes, your chiropractor may prescribe certain exercises to improve your posture and musculoskeletal health. They may also recommend injury prevention strategies.
What are the benefits of chiropractic treatment?
Some of the main benefits include that it can help to:
- Ensure the spine and joints are correctly aligned
- Correct poor posture
- Preserve or restore the musculoskeletal system’s normal functioning
- Increase flexibility and range of motion of your neck, shoulders, hips, and spine
- Provide pain relief for chronic and disabling pain
- Treat health conditions like headaches, migraines, dizziness, and vertigo
- Provide an alternative to drugs and surgery for musculoskeletal pain
- Improve quality of life
- Positively impact the nervous system
- Prevent future injuries
How can I get started with chiropractic treatment?
At Chiro & Integrative Therapies, we’re passionate about providing you with safe, ethical, and high-quality care that will support you in accomplishing your health goals. We are based in Mudgeeraba on the Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia.
To find out more about how our chiropractic services can help you, give us a call today on (07) 5607 0161.
FAQs
What should I be looking for when choosing a chiropractor?
In Australia, all chiropractors are required to complete five years of training at university (either a five-year Bachelor of Chiropractic degree, or a three-year Bachelor of Science degree plus a two year Masters of Chiropractic), so be sure to look for these qualifications.
All chiropractors in Australia must also be registered with the Chiropractic Board of Australia to be able to practice.
Is chiropractic care safe?
When performed by a qualified and registered chiropractor, chiropractic treatment is very safe. Statistically speaking, it is also believed to be much safer than other treatment options, such as drugs or surgery.
Will I experience any side effects?
The most common side effects that you may experience after treatment include some mild cramping or discomfort in the area that was treated. Some people also experience headaches, light-headedness, dizziness, or fatigue, all of which are also normal.
Do chiropractic adjustments hurt?
No.
Often, people are nervous about receiving chiropractic treatment after seeing movies or social media videos where dangerous pulling or twisting movements are performed on people.
At Chiro & Integrative Therapies, this is not how we treat our patients. Instead, we focus on gentle, comfortable, and pain-free chiropractic care. At all times, we tailor adjustments to your age, preferences, and the part of the body being treated.
During your treatment, you may hear a cracking, clicking, or popping noise as your spine and joints are adjusted. This is produced when a joint is adjusted, and gas bubbles are released within the joint fluid. This is very normal, and happens naturally during many everyday activities, as well as during chiropractic treatment.
Do you collaborate with other health care practitioners?
Yes. Sometimes during chiropractic care, health issues can become apparent that are outside of the scope of chiropractic treatment. In these situations, our chiropractor may refer you to another type of health care practitioner who is better placed to deal with your complaint. We’ll never waste your money or time, if we think that you will not benefit from chiropractic care.
We value collaborative relationships outside the chiropractic profession. Our chiropractor frequently co-manages patients with a variety of health care professionals across a diverse range of disciplines, including GPs, physiotherapists, massage therapists, acupuncturists, naturopaths, exercise physiologists, and personal trainers.
What do I need to bring with me?
You should bring your Private Health Card, Medicare Card, and DVA Card (if you have one) to your first visit.
If you have them, please also bring any relevant scans, x-rays, and referral letters. Please do not worry if you don’t have these though – they are not essential. If our chiropractor believes that certain x-rays or scans would be beneficial, they can provide you with the necessary referrals (usually bulk billed).
What can I expect during my first visit?
For your first visit with us, it is best to wear clothing that allows the chiropractor to see your spine and pelvis. Clothing that you would normally wear during exercise or physical activity is best. Bulky clothing (like jackets or sweaters) is not ideal, though can be removed during the consultation with your consent.
Your initial consultation will take approximately 40 minutes. As with all of our consultations, this will take place in a private treatment room. You will firstly be asked to complete a medical history questionnaire, which our chiropractor will then go through with you in more detail. This gives our chiropractor an opportunity to better understand your concerns or problems.
Our chiropractor will then perform the necessary orthopaedic and neurological examinations. This will help them to determine a diagnosis. This will be explained to you in clear and simple language, so that you understand what is happening and what needs to be done to get you feeling better.
Based on this diagnosis, our chiropractor will formulate a treatment plan for you. If our chiropractor decides that you will benefit from chiropractic care, you will be treated during this first visit.
Future visits will take roughly 20 minutes, depending on your needs and the treatment required.