First time at a chiropractic clinic
Chiropractic adjustments can be truly life changing for many patients, boosting bodily functions, improving posture, decreasing tension, increasing adaptability and flexibility in the body, and helping people feel and be more ‘well’.
Patient History
Your first visit with your chiropractor is very important. This is where both of you get to know each other. The usual process starts with you filling out your ‘initial chiropractic assessment form’. This involves taking your history, any medications, allergies, or prior health conditions. This history helps the doctor learn more about what you came in for, what your history is, and make an initial evaluation of how to help.
Then, your chiropractor will go through all the form details with you. This is a time where your chiropractor gets to answer all your questions and concerns about receiving chiropractic treatment. At Chiro & Sports Med, please feel free to ask as many questions as you would like.
During the clinical examination, it is important to be able to report pain. This usually allows the chiropractor to identify where the pain sits. For example, what movements are causing it and if its origin is in the musculoskeletal or nervous system. This, together with a thorough map of your medical history, gives the chiropractor a basis for preparing a functional work diagnosis. Therefore allowing the preparation of a treatment plan with the goal of restoring normal function.
If you decide to move forward with chiropractic care, your Chiropractic Physician will establish an appropriate treatment plan for you, which will depend on the wants and needs required to correct your health condition.
What does the Examination involve?
Your examination starts with a thorough physical and neurological exam. The chiropractors at Chiro & Sports Med will use highly developed skills of palpation (feeling) to find areas of stress, strain, or weakness in the body. X-Rays may also be required, and they can be taken at the time of consultation. After the examination phase and with the diagnostic on hand, your chiropractor will formulate a treatment plan and discuss with you any concerns. Below is a list of the assessments your chiropractor will perform:
- Structural Anatomical Analysis
- Joint Range of Motion Testing
- Muscle Testing
- Orthopedic Assessment
- Functional Movement Assessment
- Movement Pattern Assessment
- Neurodynamic Testing
- Coordination and Balance Assessment
Treatment by a chiropractor
Should it prove that the chiropractor will be able to help you, treatment will be started on your first visit. Our chiropractors at Chiro & Sports Med have an in-depth knowledge of diagnosis and will employ a number of different treatment modalities. Therefore allowing you to feel confident that we will put in place the best examination and treatment plan for your ailments.
Chiropractic treatment is associated with joint corrections of dysfunctions of the spine, also called joint locking. Some describe it as a gentle, quick, passive stretching of structures surrounding a joint. This form of treatment involves a click (release of gas in the joint) where the separated joint surfaces are. Some neurophysiological effects associated with this form of treatment. Our chiropractors will also apply rehabilitative and preventive measures in the form of training and nutritional advice. This is only possible because the Chiro & Sports Med chiropractors are well-educated and have an expanded knowledge of musculoskeletal disorders. Our chiropractors’ lecture at Macquarie University, manage soccer teams and are trained to treat in the sports field. In addition, they have also completed their FIFA Diploma in Football Medicine.
Treatment by a chiropractor in areas other than neck pain and back pain
More than treating back pain and neck pain, the chiropractor treats other parts of the body including shoulders, arms, hips, knees, and ankles. In addition, as only 10% of the nervous system has to do with pain, its relief is just a small part of the clinical improvements that can be achieved through chiropractic treatment. At Chiro & Sports Med we use a holistic approach, which means we see the body as a whole and look for the relationship between your symptoms and body functions. Besides mental disorders, musculoskeletal disorders are the main reasons why people suffer from reduced quality of life.
Who seeks chiropractic treatment?
We examine and treat infants right through to elderly patients with or without osteoporosis. Chiropractors are one of the 14 health professions in Australia that are part of the National Registration Scheme requiring registration with the Chiropractic Board of Australia and today there are more than 4,400 chiropractors who are practicing and registered with the Board.
According to research published in 2007, 16% of the Australian people visited a chiropractor at least once during 2005 (more than 3 million people per year). The research showed that 62% of appointments made were for back problems. With 71% of patients aged between 25-64. Spinal adjustments and massage were the common types of care provided by chiropractors. With musculoskeletal issues treated the most. Research released in 2008, medical practitioners referred almost 20% of Australians for manipulation therapy.
One can, therefore, conclude that chiropractors are making significant efforts and constitute a large and important part of health service provision in this area. Chiropractors study the same level of anatomy, diagnosis, pathology, and clinical management as medical doctors (GPs).
I have many questions about chiropractic treatment
We get daily questions about chiropractic treatment. For this reason, we have designed a FAQ section that will hopefully answer all your questions. If you still have unanswered questions, please contact us and we will be happy to help.
Did you know this about chiropractors?
- They are spinal health experts.
- There are over 215,000 consultations to Australian chiropractors each week.
- Chiropractors are uniquely positioned to help Australians lead healthy lifestyles through drug-free care because of their extensive five-year university training.
- Australian chiropractors are government registered and regulated health professionals.
Chiro & Sports Med
Our chiropractors at Chiro & Sports Med are committed to providing chiropractic solutions to address your unique needs, whether you are experiencing a pinched nerve, bulging disc, back pain, neck pain, knee pain, headaches, or even muscular tightness and tension. You may be searching for pain relief after an accident or experiencing an injury. Likewise, you may suffer from a specific condition like chronic back pain or a spinal condition. Our mission is to help reduce or eliminate pain and to prevent future problems and injury. Above all, we are here to improve your quality of life, well-being and your ability to live an active healthy lifestyle.
If you would like to make an appointment with one of the chiropractors at Chiro & Sports Med simply call our office on 9817 2005 and one of our friendly staff will organise an appointment for you.