Frequently Asked Questions
Explore common questions and find clear answers about chiropractic care, its benefits, and what to expect during your treatment journey.
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Do you accept private health Insurance?
Yes, we accept ALL private health insurance. We have a HICAPS machine in the clinic so you can claim on the spot. What that means is, after your treatment, we simply swipe your health insurance card (Bupa, HCF etc) your health insurance will cover a certain amount of the treatment cost and you just pay the difference!
Do you bulk bill treatment?
Yes we do! For that you will require a doctor to give you a form called an EPC (Enhanced Primary Care) referral which allows Medicare to cover a portion of the treatment cost (approx $58) up to a maximum of 5 visits per year. This is only for chronic conditions which have been occurring for more than 3 months.
What do Chiropractors do?
There is a common misconception that chiropractic care involves a singular therapeutic technique – spinal manipulation (spinal adjustment). Chiropractors, however, use a patient centred, multi-modal model of care.
Most Australian chiropractors provide a therapeutic approach to care that incorporates a range of manual therapies which may include spinal adjustment, but also includes mobilisation, muscle and soft tissue techniques along with exercise prescription, rehabilitation, nutritional recommendations and lifestyle advice. These have been shown to be of benefit to people with a range of musculoskeletal conditions.
When treating patients, chiropractors are no different to any other health professional (including GPs). They make an assessment and develop a treatment plan in accordance with the needs of the patient and provide advice on future management strategies.
Is Chiropractic care safe?
Chiropractors use skill, not force or strength to conduct specific chiropractic adjustments.
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.
What is a chiropractic adjustment?
A chiropractic adjustment is the application of a specific force in a precise direction, applied skilfully to a spinal joint that is fixated, “locked up”, or not moving as it should. This can help improve or restore motion to the joint, helping the spine to gradually regain more normal motion and function. Restoring better spinal function can help improve mobility, vitality, and endurance.
Am I too old for Chiropractic care?
In short, no! There is no age limit on chiropractic and more and more people are consulting chiropractors, especially in their later years. In order to deliver the safest, most effective and highest quality care possible, chiropractic techniques are modified appropriately for each person at every age and stage of life.
What kind of treatment do you provide?
Treatment provided is specific to your problem and will differ from person to person. Some things to expect with treatment are gentle joints adjustments to increase motion and reduce stiffness and pain in your body, muscle releases (deep tissues massages) to reduce muscular tension and exercise/rehabilitation to strengthen weak areas in your body which may be causing your pain to come back.
Do Chiropractic adjustments hurt?
While brief discomfort after an adjustment can occur, it is rare and most people find having an adjustment quite relaxing.
With some adjustments you may sometimes feel or hear a ‘popping’ sound from the spinal joints. This is simply caused by a change in pressure in the joint and the release of gases (not that kind of gas) build up. Some chiropractors use a hand-held instrument to adjust the spine. Whatever the technique, chiropractors use skill, not force or strength, to care for people with the highest degree of safety and effectiveness.
How are Chiropractors educated?
In Australia, chiropractors share a common tertiary education pathway with osteopaths and physiotherapists and chiropractic education involves undergraduate and/or masters-level university training over five years.
All accredited chiropractic programs in Australia include units in basic and clinical sciences. Also included are units in physical therapy, physical rehabilitation, radiology, nutrition, paediatrics, geriatrics, public health and evidence-based practice.
As with other primary healthcare professions, chiropractic pre-professional training requires a significant proportion of the curricula to be clinical subjects related to evaluating and caring for patients. As part of professional training, final-year students must also complete a minimum of a one-year supervised clinical internship.
All registered chiropractors must complete mandatory continuing education each year in order to maintain registration and practice as a non-pharmacological, non-surgical spine care and musculoskeletal-allied healthcare professional.
Are Chiropractors regulated?
All chiropractors must be registered with the Chiropractic Board of Australia and meet the Board’s registration standards, in order to practise in Australia.
Under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law, as in force in each state and territory, a person cannot call them self a chiropractor (or hold them self out to be a chiropractor) or undertake manipulation of the cervical spine if they are not registered with the Chiropractic Board of Australia.
Can you receive Chiropractic care during pregnancy?
Chiropractic care is generally safe during pregnancy, but it’s a good idea to double check with your OB/GYN before scheduling an appointment. Many patients find that chiropractic treatments help alleviate the aches commonly associated with pregnancy for example sore back, sciatica like symptoms, sore legs and cramps just to name a few.
Can my body become addicted to Chiropractic adjustments?
Many people fear that spinal adjustments is a habit-forming treatment. However, evidence does not indicate that our bodies become addicted to spinal adjustments. If you discontinue chiropractic care, your spine may return to its original state. This is not the result of treatment dependency, though. Your spine typically becomes misaligned again if you do not change your lifestyle after you discontinue chiropractic care.
What symptoms can Chiropractors treat?
Chiropractors treat a wide range of symptoms that impact your physical and emotional well-being. Our team helps patients effectively manage the following symptoms:
- Pain
- Cramping
- Tingling
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Headache
- Shortness of breath
- Inflammation
- Limited range of mobility
- Exhaustion
Many patients also notice their mental health improves after a chiropractic session. Living with chronic pain can trigger bouts of depression and anxiety, and many patients confess they felt hopeless about the future until they visited our office. We help alleviate your discomfort so you can get back to living life on your terms.
How many visits does it take to get better?
Some patients only visit us a handful of times. Other patients require weeks or months of consistent care. The amount of time required for your recovery depends on a number of factors, including the severity of your condition and the level of improvement you want. Some patients want their pain to reach a manageable level, while others want to visit us until it disappears completely. Talk to us about your goals so we can develop a treatment plan tailored toward your wishes.
What is spinal decompression?
Non-surgical spinal decompression is a non-invasive, motorised traction therapy used to relieve chronic back or neck pain by stretching the spine.
What conditions can be treated with the Spine MT-Core spinal decompression machine?
Disc herniations, sciatica, degenerative disc disease, nerve compression and postural imbalances, with studies also showing benefit for long-term scoliosis.
How is the Spine MT-Core machine different from other spinal decompression machines?
A rotating screw gently takes pressure off one part of the spine at a time, while 3D mobilisation moves the spine in several directions. This improves flexibility and alignment and makes treatment more effective.
How successful is spinal decompression in treating chronic pain?
Non-surgical spinal decompression reports overall success rates between 71% and 89% in relieving chronic neck and lower back pain from bulging, herniated, or degenerative discs.
Are there any contraindications of spinal decompression with the Spine MT-Core machine?
Not all patients benefit from the same treatment. The following conditions are generally contraindicated with the Spine MT-Core machine but other chiropractic services may be appropriate.
- Acute spinal fracture
- Post-surgical instability or hardware failure
- Spine surgery in last 6 months
- Malignancy in treatment area
- Severe osteoporosis or infection
- Late pregnancy
- Cord compression requiring surgery
Is spinal decompression treatment safe?
Non-surgical spinal decompression is generally safe and well-tolerated for most people with chronic back or neck pain, herniated discs, or sciatica. Because this treatment is non-surgical, it avoids common surgical risks such as bleeding, infection, or adverse reactions. The Spine MT-Core machine is also backed by research – you can find out more: https://vertbiotech.com/research.
Can you get Chiropractic adjustments after back surgery?
Every situation is unique, but yes, it’s generally okay to get chiropractic adjustments after back surgery. Our chiropractic team will carefully review your imaging reports and surgery notes to make sure you’re a good candidate for post-surgery adjustments. Some patients find they only need cervical adjustments after back surgery, but it depends on your symptoms.
Surgery often weakens the surrounding joints and muscles because they overcompensate during the recovery process. Chiropractic care can tackle these issues without disturbing the area where you received surgical treatment.
Can Chiropractors prescribe medication?
Chiropractors cannot prescribe medication, but many of our patients don’t require medication to see results. They often visit us after discovering that conventional treatments mask their symptoms instead of addressing the root cause of them. We want to help your body heal, not just provide temporary relief from your pain or discomfort.
Is my spine out of alignment?
The demands of modern life trigger many spinal issues. Every patient develops symptoms for different reasons, but common culprits include:
- Automobile accidents
- Work-related injuries
- Fall-related injuries
- Pregnancy or other medical conditions
- Frequent use of electronics or digital devices
- Heavy lifting
- Emotional stress
- Obesity
- Physical activities, including yard work, sports, and exercise routines
It’s difficult to avoid every potentially damaging activity. Some of our patients visit us after pulling a muscle while vacuuming or mopping. You can also damage your spine by sleeping on the wrong type of mattress or pillow. When you visit us we can evaluate your lifestyle and offer advice on how to prevent future issues.
What happens if Chiropractic care doesn’t help?
Occasionally we have patients who do not improve with chiropractic care. When this happens, we often send our patients for further investigation i.e X-Rays, CT scans or MRI. We also refer them to other practitioners who we think can help with their situation.
How much do X-Rays cost if I require them?
In some cases, depending on your problem you may need to be sent for x-rays. If you have a Medicare card your x-rays will be bulk-billed which means they are free.
