Frequently Asked Questions About Chiropractic Care – Kilkenny
Four decades of experience | Family-friendly clinic | Massage therapy available
Frequently Asked Questions
If you have a question but can’t see it below, we are always happy to answer any queries you might have. Simply call us on 08 8445 8507 or send us an email via hello@totalcarechiroproactic.co.au and we will get back to you.
- How can a chiropractor help me?
More and more evidence supports early referral and assessment of musculoskeletal pain patients to an appropriately qualified musculoskeletal clinician such as a chiropractor. Chiropractors are not only trained to treat musculoskeletal pain patients. They are also trained to facilitate health promotion and lifestyle advice, rehabilitation and patient education.
There are numerous benefits to frequently visiting a chiropractor. Patients usually seek chiropractic care for back pain, neck pain and headaches, as well as for general health and wellbeing.
- 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 electrotherapies, 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.
- How many visits will I need?
The number of treatments will vary depending on the problem and the individual. After a thorough assessment, the chiropractor will discuss their treatment plan for your rehabilitation process.
Our clinic DOES NOT provide or offer lock-in contracts. We don't over-treat conditions and give honest feedback regarding a person's prognosis.
If your GP refers you to Total Care Chiropractic with an Enhanced Primary Care (EPC) plan, they can offer up to 5 treatments that will be fully covered under Medicare.
- Does an adjustment hurt?
While brief discomfort after an adjustment can occur, it is rare, and most people find having an adjustment very 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, as spinal movement is improved. In cases of acute trauma, such as whiplash, discomfort may be experienced due to inflammation.
Chiropractors use skill, not force or strength, to care for people with the highest degree of safety and effectiveness.
- Is an adjustment safe?
Chiropractors use skill, not force or strength to conduct specific chiropractic adjustments. Various types of manual therapy and low force interventions are also used where appropriate.
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.
- How is my chiropractor 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.
- Why is the spine important?
The spine is the framework, which supports and protects the spinal cord. Most of the nerves pass from the spinal cord through small openings in the spine to various muscles, organs, bones and even the skin.
The spine is made up of 24 moveable bones, 23 discs (which act as shock absorbers and allow movement to occur), and has attachments for 12 pairs of ribs and hundreds of ligaments and muscles, 31 pairs of nerves exit the spine.
Because of the spine's complexity, its normal movements are easily disrupted. Falls, incorrect lifting, stress, repetitive movements, faulty posture and even illness may cause disruption to the normal mechanics of the spine. These areas of abnormal movement are called subluxations.
Subluxations have several possible components: disrupted joint movement, nerve irritation, muscle spasm or weakness either at the site of the subluxation's or along the course of the irritated nerve, and increased or decreased blood flow in the immediate area. Because nerves send energy to organs, a subluxation can affect health and wellbeing. Subluxations are very common and do not always produce pain or other obvious symptoms. Spinal degeneration can occur with chronic subluxation's.
- How will I be treated?
Before the spine can be adjusted, we need to know details of past medical history, any accidents and current lifestyle (diet, exercise).
A thorough examination may include a postural evaluation, specific spinal analysis, orthopaedic and neurological testing, electromyography and thermography. X-rays may be taken not only to evaluate the condition and alignment of the spine, but also to help rule out any underlying disease.
- How do I know if my spine is unhealthy?
Without pain, it can be difficult to know if your spine is healthy or not. Some warning signs may include:
- Your shoes wear out
- You can't take a satisfying deep breath
- Your jaw "clicks"
- You have to "crack" your neck, back or other joints a lot
- You can't twist or turn your head or hips to either side equally and easily
- You are often fatigued
- You have poor concentration
- You have low resistance to disease
- Your foot flares out when you walk
- One leg appears shorter than the other
- You have poor posture
- You have headaches, backaches, sore or tender spots in muscle or joints
- You have a constant stressful feeling and tension, especially in muscles and joints
- You feel stiffness in your back and neck
- You just don't feel right
- Once I go, do I have to keep going forever?
How long you choose to benefit from chiropractic is up to you. Most find, however, that prevention is better than a cure, so it is always a good idea to have your spine checked regularly. Remember, spinal joint misalignments don't always cause pain.
- Should my children have their spine checked?
Children should definitely get their spines checked. Regardless of age, the vertebrae can become misaligned. The birth process is one of the biggest traumas in life and can cause trauma to the neck and spine. If left uncorrected, a vertebral misalignment can cause undue stress on the spinal cord and surrounding nerves, affecting growth, development and posture.
- Is chiropractic suitable during pregnancy?
Because of the additional weight gain and stress on the spine in pregnant women, chiropractic adjustments can help lower the incidence of pain in the lower back and legs. There are many safe, effective and gentle techniques that can be used with the expecting mother.
- Do I need a referral from a GP?
Chiropractors are primary contact healthcare practitioners – as such, no form of referral is required as a prerequisite.
- What is a subluxation?
A subluxation is a slight misalignment or biomechanical dysfunction of the vertebrae (the bones in the spine). It is this dysfunction that may irritate nerves or place tension on the spinal cord between each of the vertebrae. The irritation can cause pain and dysfunction in muscles, organs or skin, as well as disrupting the function of the entire body.
- What causes a subluxation?
A fall, injury, car accident, or sometimes genetically inherited spinal weakness can cause a vertebra to be displaced. Other causes include excessive stress, poor posture, bad sleeping habits, bad exercise/stretching techniques, occupational strain and even bad food and toxins that we ingest.
- How is a subluxation corrected?
Doctors of chiropractic are trained to restore the misaligned vertebrae to its normal function. In order to do this, they may use their hands to apply a specific, high velocity, low amplitude thrust to the affected area. They may also use special tables, wedges and instruments to adjust the spine. The safest and most effective way is decided upon after a thorough examination. Special techniques are also used for adjusting infants and children.
- For how long will I need chiro care?
Spinal problems, neglected since early childhood, may require ongoing supportive care for optimum spinal function. These long-standing problems are often associated with muscle weakness, soft tissue damage, and degenerative changes to the spine.
Most patients find that periodic chiropractic check-ups help keep them in tip-top shape. Those who are active, have stressful jobs or want to be at their very best, find that a schedule of preventative visits are helpful in the maintenance of good health.
Some patients seek chiropractic care only when their ache or pain becomes unbearable. While this style of “crisis management” is usually more costly and time-consuming, chiropractors stand ready to help all patients, regardless of their health goals.
How long you decide to benefit from chiropractic care is always up to you.
- What does an adjustment involve?
A chiropractic adjustment is the skill of using a specific force in a precise direction, applied to a joint that is fixated, “locked up”, or not moving properly.
This adds motion to the joint, helping the joints to gradually regain more normal motion and function. The purpose of this safe and natural procedure is to allow improved spinal function, improved nervous system function and improved health.
There are many ways to adjust the spine. Usually, the chiropractor’s hands or a specially designed instrument delivers a highly accurate thrust. Some adjusting methods are quick, whereas others require a slow, constant or indirect pressure.
In the five-year university training and clinical experience, each chiropractor becomes highly skilled in the delivery of a variety of adjusting approaches.
- Am I too old for a chiropractor appointment?
An increasing number of people are consulting chiropractic doctors, especially in their later years. With growing concerns about over-medication and the side effects of combining various prescription drugs, safe, natural chiropractic care is growing in popularity.
Restoring better spinal function can help improve mobility, vitality, endurance, and appetite. Many patients report improvements with arthritic symptoms and other chronic ailments often associated with the aging process.
The adjusting technique used by your doctor will be modified for maximum comfort and results. As we get older and wiser, the simplicity and effectiveness of chiropractic care becomes more and more obvious.
- Is it OK for kids?
Since significant trauma can occur at birth, many parents choose to have their new-borns checked for any spinal health-related problems. Later, learning to walk, riding a bicycle and other childhood activities can cause spinal health-related problems.
Chiropractic adjusting procedures are modified to a child’s spine, particularly babies.
- How long will I need chiropractic care?
This is entirely up to you. We find that many people choose to continue chiropractic care on some type of periodic basis. Like with regular dental check-ups, many people choose to avoid bigger problems by having a periodic check-up. Think of your body like a complex piece of electrical or mechanical equipment (e.g. a car), checking and maintaining it at regular intervals can help in preventing and correcting damage to its structure and operating system and improve the body’s performance.
Some people do require ongoing treatment due to their lifestyle or a serious injury that results in a tendency for a recurrence of a spinal problem.
Others choose to see us from time to time for episodes of pain, on an as needs basis.
Regardless of your health goals, please understand that we are here to help you. We are here to support and hopefully even inspire you towards improved health, but you make the decisions. It’s your body, your health and your future. Our job is to offer you the finest chiropractic care possible, and it’s up to you to decide how much of it you want.