Frequently Asked Questions ?
The practice of chiropractic focuses on the connection between structure of the body and the function of the body, and how the structure and function preserve and restoration health.
The movable bones of the spine protect the vital information travelling from the brain to the rest of the body. If these movable bones are not functioning well the messages from the brain may be impaired. This dysfunction can cause incorrect or insufficient information to the tissues and organs throughout the body.
The chiropractic approach to improve health is to locate and help reduce interferences to your natural state of being healthy. Chiropractors use manual treatments, referred to as spinal adjustments, to realign the joints of the spine. Once the mechanical structure of the spine is working properly, the body is better able to maintain its own health and wellbeing.
A chiropractic adjustment can be performed by hand or with a special chiropractic tool called an Activator. An adjustment is made to a joint that is fixated, tight, “locked up”, or just not moving properly. The adjustment is aimed at increasing motion to the joint to regain more normal motion and function. Chiropractic adjustments allow Chiropractors to treat a wide range of conditions, sporting injuries and common health problems including back and neck pain, scoliosis, headaches/migraines, knee, wrist and shoulder pain to more complicated neural problems such as sciatica, carpel tunnel or disc problems.
At Northside Chiropractic Clinic we use a range of different treatment techniques. Our techniques are safe, gentle and effective. Our treatments techniques range of low force techniques to manual adjusting methods which gives us the ability to treat patients from young to old and everyone in between as well as athletes ranging from weekend warriors to the elite and professional levels.
During the initial consultation a current and past health history will be taken. Followed by a comprehensive orthopaedic and neurological examination to assist in gathering information about how the body is functioning.
A report of findings will be discussed and a tailored treatment plan will be advised. If x-rays are required the Chiropractor will refer you for these, they are bulk billed.
The treatment plan will be designed to maximise the benefit to the patient and will usually involve a combination of; Adjustments, soft tissue treatment, lifestyle advice and rehabilitation.
Joint dysfunction of the body neglected for long periods of time may require ongoing supportive care for optimum spinal function. If these joint dysfunctions are long-standing problems they are often associated with muscle weakness or tightness, soft tissue damage and degenerative changes to the spine or other joints. Therefore may require several treatments.
There are three phases of Chiropractic care; Phase One also known as crisis care or pain care – focuses on symptomatic relief by addressing pain and improved mobility. Phase Two also known as corrective care- aims at correcting long-term causes of your condition, like posture dysfunction, ergonomic set up or muscular imbalance. Phase Three also known as maintenance/preventative care- focuses on maintaining the benefits achieved in treatment in phase one and/or two and aids in preventing recurring problems.
Chiropractors are primary healthcare practitioners therefore a referral is not necessary. Although, some patient may be eligible for an Enhanced Primary Care Program (EPC) referral. The patient will need to discuss this with their GP to see whether they are eligible for this. The GP will referral the patient for a maximum of five treatments per year. Medicare covers the majority of the cost of the treatments.