Are you new to chiropractic? Here’s what to expect when you visit…

Doctors of Chiropractic (D.C) undergo a five year full time masters degree, qualifying them to carry out a full medical and health history examinations,  x-rays and reports plus neurological, orthopaedic and chiropractic tests.

Chiropractors seek to reduce pain and improve the functionality of patients as well as to educate them on how they can improve their own wellbeing and quality of life through lifestyle changes such as exercise, ergonomics and other modalities to treat and prevent pain.

Chiropractors focus on the connection between the nervous system and spine. This is because biomechanical and structural abnormalities of the spine can affect the nervous system functioning. For many conditions, chiropractic treatment can restore the structural integrity of the spine, reduce pressure on the sensitive neurological tissue, and consequently improve the health of the individual.

The treatment concept of chiropractic is to re-establish normal spinal mobility, which in turn alleviates the irritation to the spinal nerve.

Chiropractic care can treat:

• Lower back pain
• Joint pain
• Sciatica
• Neck pain
• Headaches
• Migraines
• Fibromyalgia
• Whiplash
• Dizziness

An initial chiropractic consultation at Life Chiropractic Clinics is a two-appointment process.

Your first appointment will involve a comprehensive review of your health history, a chiropractic examination, postural & spinal assessment and x-rays if medically required.

1. Case history 
On arrival to the clinic you will be asked to fill out a health questionnaire which includes personal details, current and past medical history,  medications, goals and motivation for treatment and details of any symptoms you currently have. 

2. Consultation
You will then meet your chiropractor who will review your form prior to making further assessments and taking notes, including:

Duration and frequency of symptoms
Description of the symptoms (e.g. burning, throbbing)
Areas of pain
What makes the pain feel better (e.g. sitting, stretching)
What makes the pain feel worse (e.g. standing, lifting).

3. Physical examination.
Your chiropractor will then use a variety of assessments and images to identify specific areas of concern and formulate a diagnosis of your complaint.

• Posture assessment and images
• Chiropractic tests
• Orthopaedic tests
• Neurological tests
• X-rays (if medically required)

At your second appointment your results and assessment findings will be fully explained to you along with your treatment options.

A chiropractic adjustment, also known as a chiropractic manipulation, manual manipulation, or spinal manipulation, is a common therapeutic treatment for Neuro-Musculo-Skeletal conditions.

During each treatment session’s the chiropractor will ask you about how you are feeling today and how you have felt following your last treatment. At Life chiropractic Clinics treatments are performed clothed (only shoes, belts and outer layers need to be removed).

Your chiropractor will ask you to lay on the chiropractic table where they will check each of your spinal joints and perform any adjustments required. By applying focused and localised pressure to the spinal joints, they restore motion to the affected joints reducing nerve irritation, which in time allows the body to heal itself and function better.

At the end of the treatment they will explain the areas they have treated during the sessions and provide information on after-care and your next appointment. You will also have the opportunity to ask any questions you may have about your treatment. 

The focus on spinal adjustments is what makes doctors of chiropractic unique in their approach to treating patients with spinal complaints. At Life Chiropractic Clinics we use a multifactorial approach to patient care to ensure optimal results. 

Heat and cold.
Chiropractors may advise heat and ice therapy to help treat pain and discomfort. Specific instructions for use will be given to you during your treatment sessions. For client convenience we have hot/cold packs avaliable in clinic to purchase as well as bio-freeze.

Exercise.
Chiropractors may advise stretches, exercises and strengthening activities to promote recovery and prevent reoccurence.

Massage.
Chiropractors may recommend soft tissue therapy sessions as part of both intensive and maintenance care to improve circulation, reduce swelling and inflammation associated with the back pain, and encourage quicker healing. 
Read more about benefits of soft tissue therapy and massage:

Sports Rehabilitation.
Chiropractors may recommend sports rehabilitation therapy as part of an intensive care program or to treat new injuries for those on maintenance care. Our sports therapists use both active and passive modalities to treat musculoskeletal injuries. 
Read more about benefits of soft tissue therapy and massage:

Dietary and Supplement Advice.
Our chiropractors will provide patients with advice and tips on how an improved diet may help with their condition and controlling inflammation. They may also recommend dietary supplements, which for client convenience we have available to buy in-clinic.

Ergonomics.
During the course of your chiropractic treatment plan, the chiropractor may recommend some modifications that may be applied at home and/or at work to improve your symptoms. These modifications look to alleviate aggravating factors to your condition. 

Patient education.
Our chiropractors will offer on-going advice and resources on a variety of lifestyle modifications, including diet and nutritional advice, hot/cold therapy and stretches and exercises during your treatment sessions. If you have any questions or are unsure or anything, always speak to your chiropractor.