FAQs
Chiropractors help people with lots of different problems that range from lower back, neck pain to headaches and sports injuries. We work with the spine, muscles and nerves.
At Chiropractic Works we pride ourselves on being very thorough with the goal to get to the cause of your problems. To do this we have a number of steps:
- First we take a detailed history, by asking you a series of questions.
- We perform a thorough spinal examination which involves:
- The use of a temperature device which detects inflammation in your spine
- Thoroughly palpating (feeling) your spine to determine where things aren’t moving properly
- Performing orthopaedic and neurological tests if indicated
- Performing tests which show us your flexibility and balance
- Taking x-rays of all or part of your spine using a digital x-ray machine giving us instant images
We put all of this information together to confirm your problem and the best way to help you.
What treatment do you do/what techniques do you use?
Each patients treatment is tailored to their body, and their particular problem.
Treatment consist of spinal adjustments to improve spinal function. Adjustments are a gentle force ‘thrust’ into the spine which is referred to by some people as a manipulation. At Chiropractic Works we use the Gonstead technique which is a specific, manual adjusting technique. This technique involves significant additional training and we are one of only a handful of clinics north of Brisbane utilising the Gonstead technique.
Often there is a noise made with an adjustment which is the release of gas when a joint is stretched similar to the noise made by firmly pressing your hands together and quickly releasing them, or opening a cork from a bottle.
Other treatments including stretching, muscle release work, postural advice and exercise prescription.
What qualifications do Chiropractors have?
Each Chiropractic Works chiropractor has completed a minimum of 5 years full time university study and has a minimum of 2 university degrees.
Each Chiropractic Works chiropractor has completed further technique training in the Gonstead technique. We are registered and regulated by the Australian Government.
To stay up to date with the latest information each Chiropractic Works chiropractor attends continuing education seminars.
Chiropractors use skill, not force or strength to conduct specific chiropractic adjustments. Various types of manual therapy and low force interventions are also used where appropriate.
Chiropractic care has a very low risk profile, especially when compared with more invasive methods of spinal healthcare, however, all forms of chiropractic treatment have the potential to adverse reactions in some people. (Australian Chiropractors Association)
With Chiropractic, as with all health care procedures, there are risks. Chance of risks are small and our well trained chiropractors will perform a thorough examination to ensure risks are further minimised.
Your Chiropractor will discuss any risks that apply to you before you are adjusted.
We don’t accept patients for care if we don’t think we can help. We will discuss expected results before we begin your care. If we don't think we can help, we will refer you to the most appropriate person.
Response time varies from person to person and can depend on how bad the problem is, how long the problem has been there, your age, current health status, and several other factors.
Occasionally people may feel minor discomfort before improvement occurs as restricted joints start to move again, causing muscle and ligament changes. This is usually mild.
How many treatments will I need?
Again this varies from person to person, some people needing just a few and others needing more. Initially you will be adjusted more frequently until you start to function better. As your spine gets stronger, your appointments will be spaced further apart and we will start to shift the emphasis more on self-care by you.
Once feeling better most people choose to continue their Chiropractic care to help them continue to feel good and function better.
I’m not in any pain, should I get my spine checked?
Yes, pain can be the last thing to come on and the first thing to go away. Often problems can simmer away under the radar until lots of damage has occurred and by the time you get the pain, the problem can be serious and take longer to be helped.
No, in-fact the majority of people find their adjustments comfortable and enjoy getting adjusted.
If you are in a lot of pain, you may experience some mild discomfort, often less than what you are already going through. This happens as restricted joints start to move again, stretching muscles and ligaments that have become shortened over time.
Am I too old for chiropractic care?
No, age has nothing to do with whether you can be helped by a chiropractor. We have patients in their early nineties who enjoy the benefits of chiropractic care including better posture, more mobility, better balance, and less aches and pains from arthritis.
What if I have arthritis, can you still help?
Yes, we help many people with arthritis every day. Arthritis occurs because things aren’t working well. People often think that arthritis occurs with age, but this is not true, we just see more arthritis in older people, because the spinal joints have been working badly for longer. Sometimes we see a 70 year old with a healthier spine than a 50 year old, so therefore it isn’t all about age.
By improving function, in many cases you can slow down the arthritic process and assist with the associated pain.
If I have osteoporosis and my bones are weak, can I still come to see you?
Yes, we can identify at risk areas of your spine and look after them gently. We will always modify our technique & tailor your care to suit your body. We can also give you advice on the things to do to decrease the chance of your bones continuing to weaken.
Is Chiropractic, Physiotherapy, Osteopathy, or Massage more appropriate for me? We all have the same goal and that is to get you well. But it is the way we go about helping you that is different.
At Chiropractic Works we have the goal of helping your immediate symptoms and actually getting rid of the underlying cause to decrease the chance of your symptoms coming back. For example, if you had knee pain we would be treating your knee, but we also know that knee problems without direct trauma to the knee can be caused by a pelvic or foot problem. If we only treated your knee, we wouldn’t really be doing all we can to help you. At Chiropractic Works we take a holistic approach and look at the site of your symptoms but also the reason those symptoms are occurring.
I heard once you start seeing a chiropractor, you have to keep going forever, is that true?
Yes, we have heard that too. Even though lots of people think that, it isn’t actually true.
Nothing our Chiropractors will do to you will make you have to continue to see us. After your spine is working better, you will often feel better. Many people therefore choose to continue their chiropractic care as with all healthy habits, the benefits can wear off over time. We liken this to dental check ups & car services.
