How can a chiropractor help you?
More and more, evidence supports early referral and assessment of musculoskeltal pain patients to an appropriately qualified musculoskeletal clinical 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.
Consumers 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 theraputic technique - spinal manipulation (spinal adjustment). Chiropractors, however, use a patient centred multi-modal model of care.
Most Australian chiropractors provide a theraputic approach to care that incorporates a range of manual therapies which may include spinal adjustment, but also include mobilisation, muscle and soft tissue techniques along with electrotherapies, exercise programs, rehabilitation, nutritional recommendations and lifestyle advice. There have been shown to be of benefit to people with the needs of the patient and provide advice on future management stategies.
Is chiropractic care safe?
Chiropractors use skill not force, or strength to conduct specific chiropractic adjustments. Various types of manual therapy and low force inventions are use used where appropriate.
Chiropractic care has a very low risk profile, espically when compared with more invasive methods of spinal healthcare however, all forms of chiropractic treatment have the potential for adverse reactions in some people.
What is a chiropractic adjustment?
A chiropractic adjustment is the application of a specific force in a precise direction, applied skillfully to a spinal joint that is fixated, "locked up" or not moving as it should. This can help improve or restore motion to the joint, helping the spine to gradually regain more normal motion and function.
There are many new ways to adjust the spine. Usually the chiropractor's hands or a specially deasigned instrument delivers a breif and highly-accurate thrust. Some adjusting methods are quick, whereas others require a slow constant or indirect pressure.
Restoring better spinal function can help improve mobility, vitality, and endurance.
Am I to old for chiropractic care?
In short no! There is no age limit on chiropractic and more and more people are consulting chiropractors, espically in their later years. In order to deliver the safest, most effective and highest quality care possible, chiropractic techniques are modified appropriately for each person at every stage of life.
How are chiropractors educated?
In Australia, chiroractors 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 primary healthcare professionals, 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 supervision clinical internship.
All registered chiropractors muct 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.
Are Chiropractors regulated?
All chiropractors must be registered with the Chiropractic Board of Australia and meet the Board's registration standards, in order to practise in Australia.
Under the Heath Practicioner Regualtion National Law, as in force in each state and territory, a person cannot call them self a chiropractor (or hold them self out to be a chiropractir) or undertake manipulation of the cervical spine if they are not registered with the Chiropractic Board of Australia.
For more information click on the link below.