Here are some of the frequently asked questions we receive!
What is chiropractic?
Chiropractic is a method of complementary medicine based on the diagnosis and manipulative treatment of misalignments of the musculoskeletal system, especially those of the spinal column, which are believed to cause other disorders by affecting the nerves, muscles, and organs.
Is chiropractic painful?
In good hands, there is little to no pain involved in an adjustment. You may feel pops and cracks, but you should not feel any intense pain. Typically, if you weren’t in pain prior to the adjustment, you won’t be after. Always keep your chiropractor aware of how you are feeling during a session.
Is chiropractic safe?
Chiropractic is one of the safest manual modalities used worldwide. A chiropractor does a minimum 5 years of training in order to obtain the doctor qualification. Upon your first visit, a thorough history is taken, all medical conditions and past accidents/injuries are recorded, and several tests are performed to minimise any possible risks during an adjustment.
How many sessions do I need?
The number of sessions needed will depend on several factors, the reason for this is that many people use chiropractic care for wellness and preventative measures rather than only when there is pain or a problem. This means that an individual may choose or be guided towards wellness/maintenance care upon their initial visit, and some towards a schedule of care with the aim to fix any issues in the shortest amount of time possible.
What is the popping sound?
Our team are experts in finding areas of the body that aren’t functioning the way they should be, when your joints are popped, a gas is released from the joint. Once the gas has been released, synovial fluid enters to replace the gas and lubricates the joint, creating more movement and restoring function to that area of the body.
Is cracking my own body bad?
Cracking your own body can increase the amount of stiffness and pain in certain areas of the body by consistently moving the joint that is most easiest to crack. This causes immobility of the surrounding joints as well as inflammation which can further add to an already existing issue. We strongly recommend against self cracking, you will feel the need to less often with chiropractic care.
What should I wear?
The short answer - wear anything comfortable that allows freedom of movement, and only remove what is uncomfortable (a jumper, jacket etc). Our chiropractors do not require skin to skin contact, nor is it necessary to remove your shoes prior to an adjustment.
What age is suitable for chiropractic?
At CC, age is just a number - our team are trained to look after infants through to the elderly and recommend chiropractic care throughout any stage of life. We won’t be cracking your baby’s neck, or your 99 year old grandmother, however we will use low force assisted techniques in order to aid all ages (i.e activator tool, blocks etc).
Do you accept private health or medicare cards?
Yes! Most private health providers will have coverage for chiropractic care which will allow you to claim back a portion if not all of the visit amount with your private healthcare card. As for medicare, your medicare card can be used by seeing a GP for a referred health care plan (if indicated) for up to 5 covered sessions per year.
How will I feel after my first adjustment?
The way you might feel after a first adjustment will be determined by multiple factors however the usual response is good. If upon your first visit you have no pain then it is likely you will have no pain after the adjustment. If you visit for the first time in a lot of pain, then chances are you may still leave with some residual pain which will continue to get better throughout the day. Post adjustive soreness is common after having a first adjustment which is similar to post exercise soreness.
Should I be using ice or heat?
Depending on the condition at hand, both ice and heat can be very effective in minimising pain and bodily tension. The general rule is to use ice for inflammation as this usually means there is already a high amount of heat in the affected area, and is most effective for inflamed joints and spinal discs. Heat is a great way to decrease muscular tightness, when heating a muscle the reaction is to lengthen and relax allowing wound up areas to release.
What if I don't want to be cracked?
Many people prefer not to be manually adjusted which is why our chiropractors are trained in using low force assisted techniques including activator and drop piece adjustments, blocks or wedges, and mobilisations. These techniques are better known as Activator Methods and Thompson Techniques. Use the link below for more info:
https://chiro.org/LINKS/ABSTRACTS/Chiropractic_Techniques.shtml