A chiropractic adjustment is the skill of using a specific force in a precise direction, applied to a joint that is fixated, “locked up”, or not moving properly. This adds motion to the joint, helping the joints to gradually regain more normal motion and function.
The purpose of this safe and natural procedure is to permit improved spinal function, improved nervous system function, and improved health.

There are many ways to adjust the spine. Usually the chiropractor’s hands or a specially designed instrument delivers a brief and highly-accurate thrust. Some adjusting methods are quick, whereas others require a slow, constant or indirect pressure.

After years of university training and clinical experience, each chiropractor becomes highly skilled in the delivery of a variety of adjusting approaches.

Since significant problems can start at birth, many parents choose to have their newborns checked for any spinal health related problems. Ultimately in many cases, later in life such as, learning to walk, riding a bicycle and other childhood activities can increase the risk of spinal health related problems.

Whilst a bandage and words of reassurance can help a skinned knee, the potential of structural damage to the child’s spine, skull, pelvis and extremities can sometimes be left untreated. The chiropractor’s role is identifying the onset of problems resisting an attitude that brushes it off as many doctors and parents choose to label it as “growing pains”.

Regular chiropractic checkups may be able to identify these problems and help avoid some of the health complaints seen later in adults. Naturally, Chiropractic adjusting procedures are modified to a child’s spine, particularly babies.

In the later years of life, more and more people consult chiropractic doctors. Concerns generated about over-medicating and the many long lists of side-effects of prescription drugs, can often lead to picking a safe, and more natural choice of care. This concept has dramatically risen in popularity.

Restoring better spinal function can help improve mobility, vitality, endurance, and appetite. Many patients report improvements with arthritic symptoms and other chronic ailments often associated with the aging process. The adjusting technique used by your doctor will be modified for maximum comfort and results. As we get older and wiser, the simplicity and effectiveness of chiropractic care becomes more and more obvious.

In many cases patients don’t seek chiropractic care until the pain they suffer becomes unbearable. This neglect results in the patient requiring ongoing supportive care for optimal spinal function.
Muscle weakness, soft tissue damage, and degenerative changes to the spine are often the causes of the long-standing problems.

Majority of patients believe that in order to keep in tip-top shape, periodic chiropractic checkups helps keep them at their best. Specifically, people who live active lives or have stressful jobs,  find that by having preventative visits encourages the maintenance of good health.

Whist choosing the style of “crisis care” – only seeking chiropractic care when the pain becomes intolerable, is usually more costly and time consuming. Chiropractors are ready to help all patients, regardless of their health goals.

How long you decide to benefit from chiropractic care is always up to you.

In this clinic our chiropractors use various techniques for adjustments depending on the patient’s individual needs. These may range from a gentle, hand held instrument called an activator to adjust the spine, the use of pelvic blocks, spinal manipulative therapy and manual adjustments to name a few. Specific techniques are used for adjusting infants and children. Whatever the technique may be, Chiropractors use skill, not force or strength. This ensures a safe and effective adjustment.

In many cases, patients believe having an adjustment is relaxing.
Some adjustments you may hear popping sounds from the spinal joints. Do not be alarmed, this occurs simply because gas is being released from the joint as spinal movement is restored.

As individual results can vary from person to person, most people can expect some benefits soon after beginning care. As treatment consolidates further, statistically it has been found that chiropractic care is more effective and economical giving longer lasting results for disorders of the spine than other forms of health care.2 3 4

When differentiating between Chiropractic and Physiotherapy, we recommend referring to the definition of each practice.

Chiropractic is a health care discipline based on the scientific premise that the body is a self-regulating, self-healing organism. The practice of Chiropractic focuses on the relationship between structure (primarily the spine, and pelvis) and function (as coordinated by the nervous system) and how that relationship affects the preservation and restoration of health. Chiropractic adjustments are performed ONLY by a Doctor of Chiropractic.

Physiotherapy, as described by the Australian Physiotherapy Association, “uses a variety of techniques to help your muscles and joints work to their full potential. It can help repair damage by speeding up the healing process and reducing pain and stiffness.

Each person is different and the choice about the most appropriate method of care must be made for themselves. Within its central focus on the spine, nervous system and their impact on entire body, we believe Chiropractic provides a health care option that can help manage pain as well as assist in achieving optimal well-being!

Our fees, at Optimal Health Chiropractic and Sports Clinic are:

Chiropractic Care:
Initial Consultation & Exam: $105
Concession: $100
Standard Adjustment: $63
Concession: $58
Progress Exam: $80
Concession: $75

(Concessions apply to pensioners  over 65 and not working, and children under 18 years of age.)

On the spot HICAPS claims are available within the clinic.

Chiropractors are primary healthcare practitioners therefore a referral is not necessary. However more and more GP’s are referring to Chiropractors via the Enhanced Primary Care Program (EPC).

WWW.CHIROPRACTORS.ASN.AU

1. CHIROPRACTIC IN NEW ZEALAND: REPORT OF THE COMMISSION OF INQUIRY. (1979). HASSELBERG PD, GOVERNMENT PRINTER, WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND
2. DABBS,V., & LAURETTI,W.J. (1995). A RISK ASSESSMENT OF CERVICAL MANIPULATION VS NSAIDS FOR THE TREATMENT OF NECK PAIN. JOURNAL OF MANIPULATIVE AND PHYSIOLOGICAL THERAPEUTICS, 18(8), 530-536
3. MEADE TW, DYER S, BROWNE W, TOWNSEND J, FRANK AO. (1990) LOW BACK PAIN OF MECHANICAL ORIGIN: RANDOMISED COMPARISON OF CHIROPRACTIC AND HOSPITAL OUTPATIENT TREATMENT. THE BRITISH MEDICAL JOURNAL 300: 1431-7
4. MANGA P, ANGUS D ET AL (1993) THE EFFECTIVENESS AND COST-EFFECTIVENESS OF CHIROPRACTIC MANAGEMENT OF LOW BACK PAIN. PRAN MANGA AND ASSOCIATES, UNIVERSITY OF OTTAWA, CANADA.
5. SHEKELLE PG, ADAMS AH, CHASSIN MR ET AL. (1991) AHTHE APPROPRIATENESS OF SPINAL MANIPULATION FOR LOW-BACK PAIN: INDICATIONS AND RATINGS BY A MULTIDISCIPLINARY PANEL. SANTA MONIDA, CALIF: RAND COPR, 1991