Frequently Asked Questions

Chiropractors relieve pain, restore spinal joint movement and change muscle patterns with gentle specific manipulations called “adjustments”. These joints include shoulders, knees, elbows, feet, hips and the spine. On-going treatment may include exercise and lifestyle advice, which is individually tailored to each case.

No. Both Chiropractors at Alderley Chiropractic are biomechanical based practitioners and use both ‘Diversified’ and ‘Gonstead’ methods of adjusting. Both also incorporate soft tissue technique in their treatment with a focus on active muscle release technique. Both practitioners are from sporting backgrounds and have a great understanding of human body movement.

Yes. Full scientific reviews of the literature (Cochrane Review) have reported that spinal manipulation is one of the safest approaches for spine pain compared with many different medical approaches.

Chiropractors treat problems of the spine and nervous system. Whilst 9 out of 10 of our patients see us for neck pain, back pain or tension headaches, lots of patients report they can better manage a range of other health conditions when their spine and muscle system is relaxed and working well. This includes breathing better, increased flexibility, less fatigue, decreases in tingling and better sleeping habits.

The number of treatments needed for each person depends on such things as

• injury severity

• length of time you have had the injury

• level of degeneration or bony damage in the spine

• extent or spread of nerve and muscle damage

• is it one, two or more levels of damage?

• general fitness and age of patient

• whether you smoke or are overweight

• your body’s healing rate and sensitivity to any type of treatment (some people can tolerate a lot more being done during one visit)

A very general guide for people looking for some level of pain relief is about 6-12 visits over a month. If there is absolutely no change to a person’s level of pain or activity after a month and 12 visits, a re-assessment or a second opinion is needed.

Progress exams should be made to make sure that improvement is occurring and that a person understands their problem. Some patients are pleased with pain relief and cease further treatment at this point. Certain spinal problems need ongoing management to help a person keep operating at their best. Many patients prefer to keep functioning at the optimum and plan regular visits at two, three or four weekly intervals to maintain full function.

Chiropractors are trained over 5 years at University to treat patients of all ages. Examples of some of the conditions Chiropractors can treat are below.

Babies for hip dysfunction

Teenagers for poor posture, scoliosis or sporting injuries

20-40 year olds with disc or whiplash injuries

40-50 year olds with stiffness or troublesome knees walking down stairs

60-70 year olds to keep flexible and increase their balance and coordination

The spine undergoes wear and tear or degeneration where it doesn’t move well. Chiropractors are trained to get those areas flexible again and decrease the wear and tear.

Chinese proverb: “You are as young as your spine is flexible”.

Chronic problems are always harder to treat than acute conditions. In saying that, a lot of people that have tried lots of treatment before without much benefit seem to respond nicely to Chiropractic care, when it is administered properly. A progress exam will always be done to see if the chronic issue is responding (usually 6 weeks after your initial treatment).

Yes, most private health companies cover Chiropractic and you will get a rebate back on your consultations. There is usually a limit for the amount you can claim back over the calendar year.

	Chiro	Physio
University degree length	5 years	4 years
Most common thing treated	Low back pain followed by neck pain	Low back pain followed by surgical rehab
Radiography	Yes	No
Radiology	Able to read x-rays	Not able to read x-rays
First known school	116 yrs ago in America	100 years ago in U.K.
Regulated	Yes	Yes
Largest Asociation	Chiropractic Association of Australia	Australian Physiotherapy Association
Board Exams	Yes	Yes
Musculoskeletal areas treated (first choice for trial of treatment)	Back pain, neck pain, headaches, joint pain, sciatica, whiplash, postural problems	Back pain, strained/sprained ankle, swollen knee, rotator cuff tear, post fracture rehab
Treatment modalities	Mobilisation, adjustments, active muscle releases, exercises	Massage, ultrasound, electrotherapy, rehab techniques, exercise prescription
Hospital vs private practice	Private practice	Hospital and private practice
Work with sporting teams	Yes	Yes
Training in joint manipulation	Extensive	Limited