FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
If you’re new to chiropractic, look at some of our most asked questions below.
Chiropractic is the foremost complementary alternative medicine discipline, utilising spinal and extremity adjusting (gentle corrective forces applied by hand to the body) to improve your biomechanical function and nervous system communication. Chiropractic improves your body’s ability to function and heal itself (Homeostasis & Innate intelligence) by removing neural interferences in the nervous system - the communication pathways between the brain and the rest of the body. From forehead to toes, from organs to every cellular function – through the spine and its associated nerves. Chiropractic is more than relieving sore backs, sore necks, and headaches. Aches and pains are signs that your body is not working or functioning correctly.
After an examination and analysis, the chiropractor will use a carefully controlled and directed force called an adjustment to restore proper spinal function reducing stress on the surrounding soft tissue and nerves.
A healthy spine and nervous system, working at its very best, can help anyone at any time in their life, regardless of age, condition, presence or absence of disease, or obvious symptoms. Chiropractic is a method of helping to ensure optimal joint function and nerve communication and is thus able to effectively assist the body in healing a wide array of symptoms and conditions.
Many people that have been suffering in pain for years realise that only ‘treating the symptoms’ with drugs over and over is completely futile and does not address the problem of what is ‘causing the symptoms’.
Eventually, the symptoms can and usually do get worse. It's a terrible cycle too common today in healthcare. Pain management, drugs or surgery are not the only options you have.
Well trained and educated chiropractors focus on finding the root cause of the problem, that’s creating the symptoms and then establish the best way to correct the issue(s) using natural hands-on spinal therapy. Therapeutic health care that can be traced back through many civilisations as far back as 5000 years ago.
Now, modern day spinal manipulation therapy is known as chiropractic. It is an increasingly popular and accepted healthcare choice. Safe, natural, drug-free, and effective. It is the third largest primary health care profession in the western world, next to medicine and dentistry, and the fastest growing.
Chiropractic is safe, Chiropractic is natural, Chiropractic works.
- We are registered with the General Chiropractic Council - GCC
- We have x-ray facilities onsite in case they are needed
- We are passionate about natural health
- We specialise in biostructural correction - spinal realignment and postural correction
Anyone who has a spine. Most patients present with back pain, neck pain or headaches. We have amazing success rates at helping people with these and other conditions. However, most people also improve in other areas of their health. Elite sports men and women, weekend warriors, young children, the elderly, tradies and office workers - everyone with a spine and nerve system can benefit from better spinal function. Newborns through to elderly need their spine looked after. However, if you have had a recent injury or accident you will particularly benefit from chiropractic care.
Yes. Chiropractic has an excellent safety record. Many researched studies support both the safety and efficacy of chiropractic care. It is the result of a conservative and natural approach to health that avoids invasive procedures or addictive drugs. Rarely, minor adverse effects can develop in a small percentage of patients following an adjustment, such as being tired or tenderness or an ache, mainly after the first 1 or 2 adjustments. This usually subsides within 24-48 hours of the adjustment, and we will ensure you are informed of any risks prior to beginning care.
Simply, it’s the release of gas. A chiropractic adjustment involves the movement of joints within their normal range, which causes a natural change in the internal pressure of the joint. This can result in a small release of nitrogen gas which may sound like a “crack” or “pop”. If this makes you uncomfortable, please know there are many other low force methods of adjusting the spine that are equally as effective. Just let us know what you prefer.
The number of adjustments varies with each patient, the condition of the spine, their individual health goals, personal issues such as work hours and the logistics of travel, all of these factors need to be considered. Many patients experience instant relief. Some patients experience progress within a week or two of regular visits. Visits become less often as your spine re-aligns and stabilises. In chronic cases, complete healing can take time. Your health is your choice.
Yes! We’ll sit down and talk more about your health first, but in most cases it’s perfectly fine and can often aid in a faster recovery. If your surgery was back or neck related, your chiropractor will avoid the areas that have had surgical intervention. Surgery often causes instability above or below the surgery site. These are the spinal areas that would be the focus of your care ensuring a healthier, more stable spine in general.
No. Many people state that their symptoms are just ‘old age’, ‘something I just have to live with’ or have been told that there is ‘nothing that can be done’. Symptoms such as pain, are your body’s way of telling you something is wrong. Our approach is to identify the underlying causes and correct those physical health issues, not just the symptom – we don’t treat the ‘symptoms’ – that is a waste of your time and money.
Chiropractors are the only health care professionals trained in the detection, correction, and prevention of all skeletal joint misalignment injuries and vertebral subluxations (spinal misalignment injuries) to improve health, naturally. We use specific spinal adjustments to correct the spine, and extremity adjustments to correct the remaining joints of the body, to improve nerve system functions and reduce nerve interference. Osteopaths and physiotherapists use a varied array of techniques to treat different parts of the body, especially soft-tissue injuries.
(see our ‘Who we care for’ page)
Yes. We regularly care for individuals from a few hours old to the very elderly. We have a range of techniques which can be applied to suit any spine of any age. These groups of people are amongst those that are shown to benefit most from chiropractic care.
(see our ‘Who we care for’ page)
Chiropractic is safe and very beneficial for pregnant women. It is imperative for your own wellbeing and the baby that your pelvis and spine are kept as pain free as possible for the full term of the pregnancy – especially the 2nd and 3rd trimesters.
As your pregnancy advances, your posture will change to adapt to a growing tummy and hormones (e.g. relaxin hormone) will relax your ligaments and joints to make them supple and looser. Misalignments are more likely to occur, causing aches and pains which may restrict your baby’s movements. We have specific techniques (e.g. Webster) and therapy aids (pregnancy pillow so ‘mums to be’ can lie face down) that will help you feel more comfortable.
Headaches, migraines, back pain, neck pain, stiffness, radiculopathy, sciatica, paraesthesia, disc injuries, obstetric brachial plexus injuries, torticollis, pseudo-torticollis. Shoulder injuries, knee pain, recurring middle ear infections, jaw problems, tiredness and fatigue, numbness and tingling in arms and legs, overuse, and sports injuries, elbow, hip and arthritic pain and joint pains among others.
No. Chiropractors are registered primary health care practitioners which means that you do not need a medical doctor’s referral to visit us. We are also licensed to care for more than just your spine, including shoulders, elbows, wrists, hands, hips, knees, ankles, and feet.
No, generally, adjustments do not hurt. In normal circumstances, adjustments will be pain-free and are usually very relieving. Occasionally, your muscles in the area might be tight and tender and slightly sore when pressure is applied. This discomfort should not last long. In some cases, inflamed tissue may cause slight discomfort, particularly as your body begins to heal itself. Most regular patients report no discomfort at all and look forward to their adjustments.
No. X-rays are only taken when a need has been determined after taking a patient case history and conducting a physical examination. There are circumstances, of course, that may not require x-rays, such as pregnancy, young children or if you already had x-rays taken recently (please bring these with you). X-rays can play an important role in diagnosis.
Chiropractors take x-rays to reveal the internal structure and alignment of the spine. We are also concerned about underlying disease processes and disorders of the spine such as spinal deterioration, arthritis of the spine, abnormal development, bone spurs, disc disorders, tumours, and spinal curvature. X-rays also provide a blueprint for correcting the spine back to optimal health and alignment.
The convenience of our on-site x-ray facilities means we can start your care sooner and will discuss the findings in detail with you at your report of findings consultation. This is a fast and painless process, and most patients appreciate being able to view and understand what is happening with their body.
Imaging will only be considered where clinically justified, in line with current legislation and guidelines.
An ‘adjustment’ is the term used by Chiropractors to remove misalignment injuries or subluxations. This is a process where the Chiropractor performs specific movements, to an identified misaligned joint, to realign it back to its correct position. This allows the joint to function correctly (in all 6° range of motion) helping the bones of the spine and the nerves to work properly. Health often returns with improved nervous system control of your body. Adjustments may be performed either by way of manual adjustments, touch and hold (for babies mainly), drop assist or using an activator (for elderly mainly).
Yes, chiropractic is the main health care profession that is focused on posture by realigning the spine and correcting any imbalances or misalignments that may be causing poor posture.
There are various types, at ACH we select the type of techniques that best suits the patient’s needs. The most common chiropractic techniques we use are:
- Diversified Technique
- Gonstead Method
- Activator Method
- Thompson / Diversified Drop Technique
- Upper Cervical Specific Toggle
Yes, chiropractic care can be beneficial for sports injuries. Any joint in the body that is misaligned and cannot function normally, this means that the athlete can't perform at 100%.
Chiropractors improve range of motion, can reduce pain, and speed up the healing process. If you find a good chiropractor the overall experience should feel like you wouldn’t ever need ‘treatments’ from other practitioners because we are willing to tackle all your pain and injuries.
If you have more questions, give us a call or send an email and we’ll be happy to provide further information.