Chiropractic
What is a Chiropractor?
Chiropractors are registered allied health professionals who are focused on the diagnosis and treatment of neuromuscular complaints with an emphasis on using spinal and joint manipulation to reduce pain and improve function. Chiropractors also use education through ergonomics, exercise, and other therapies to help treat pain such as dry needling, kinesiology taping, cold laser, and exercise rehab prescription.
Chiropractors attend accredited universities in Australia for five years and are qualified at a Bachelor of Science or Masters level. Chiropractors must register with the AHPRA governing body and be members of one of the associations of Australia to obtain insurance. This means they must also attend regular continuing professional development every year.
Chiropractic with Right at Home Allied Health
Right at Home Allied Health Chiropractors are experienced and highly skilled in the diagnosis of complaints and can treat all musculoskeletal presentations from acute lower back pain to shoulder injuries. Most health insurance plans cover part of your Chiropractic appointment but please check with your health fund prior to your appointment. Chiropractors can also receive referrals via your GP under the EPC Scheme (Medicare) for chronic conditions, DVA, and Workcover.
Chiroprators can assist with:
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Acute or chronic low or mid back pain
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Acute or chronic neck pain
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Cervicogenic and tension type headaches
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Shoulder injuries such as rotator cuff tears or impingement
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Hip complaints such as hip bursitis
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Pregnancy and post-natal related musculoskeletal pain
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Overuse injuries such as tennis elbow or tenosynovitis
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Cervicogenic dizziness (neck-related vertigo)
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Sporting, work, or motor vehicle injuries
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Posture-related concerns or sporting performance goals
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Child or newborn chiropractic for musculoskeletal complaints
Frequently Asked Questions
Research shows that Chiropractic can be beneficial in many aspects of musculoskeletal care:
- Improves chronic neck pain, particularly if you have a poor posture (1,2)
- Reduces oral pain- relief reliance, in particular opioids (3)
- Assists in the reduction of low back pain which can be optimised when used in conjunction with other active therapies such as yoga or exercise rehabilitation (4)
- Possible reduction in osteoarthritic pain (5)
- Assists in the management of headaches (6)
- Assists in the improvement of hyperkyphotic (slouchy) thoracic posture (7)
- May help improve athletic performance (8)
- Bronfort, G et al, ‘ Spinal Manipulation, Medication or Home Exercise with Advice for Acute and Subacute Neck pain’. Annals of Internal Medicine, January 2012.
- Lohman, E et al, ‘The immediate effects of cervical spine manipulation on pain and biochemical markers in females with acute non specific mechanical neck pain: a randomised clinical trial’. Journal of Manual Manipulation Therapy, 2019. Sept;27(4): 186-196
- Whedon, J, ‘ Impact of Chiropractic Care on Use of Prescription Opioids in Patients with Spinal Pain’. Pain Medicine. 2020, Dec 25;21(12)3567-3573
- Paige, N et al, ‘Associate of Spinal Manipulative Therapy with Clinical Benefit and Harm for Acute Low Back Pain: systematic review and meta analysis’, JAMA. 2017 Apr 11;317(14): 1451-1460
- Conesa-Buendia, F et al, ’Beneficial effects of manually assisted chiropractic adjusting instrument in a rabbit model of osteoarthritis’. Sci Rep 2020; 10:13237
- Dunning, J et al, ‘Upper cervical and upper thoracic manipulation versus mobilisation and exercise in patients with cervicogenic headache: a multi center randomised clinical trial’, BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders February 2016: 17 (2016)
- Fortner M et al, ‘ Treating ‘slouchy’(hyperkyphotic) posture with chiropractic biophysics: a case report utilising a multi modal mirror image rehabilitation program’, J Phys Therapy Science, 2017 Aug 29(8); 1475 -1480
- Corso, M et al. ‘ The effects of spinal manipulation on performance related outcomes in health asymptomatic adult population: a systematic review of best evidence.’ Chiropractic Manual Therapies, 2019L 27:25
This is an important and often difficult question to answer because we are all different. Some people prefer chiropractic spinal manipulation over soft tissue therapy. Others fear spinal manipulation and reap greater benefits from soft tissue therapy. In immediate post-operative care cases, clients are encouraged to first see a Physiotherapist.
Right at Home Allied Health Chiropractors and Physiotherapists work closely together, sometimes advising that you receive both chiropractic and physiotherapy for the best results. Although Physiotherapists and Chiropractors work differently, they have a common goal to reduce pain, restore function, and prevent recurrence.