Chiropractic FAQs

Chiropractic: Additional Information & Frequently Asked Questions

• What can I expect?

• Are all Chiropractors the same?

• What assessment techniques are used?

• What conditions are seen by Chiropractors?

• What treatment modalities may be used?

• What is the difference between Chiropractors, Physiotherapists and Osteopaths?

What can I expect?

First Appointment:
Your 40-minute visit is dedicated to finding the cause of your symptoms through comprehensive assessments.

Second Appointment:
This 30-minute visit allows for a detailed explanation the cause of your problem and options how it can be addressed. Your action plan will include home exercises as well as in-clinic treatments or referral to specialists.

Regular Appointments:
Regular appointments take around 15-20 minutes allowing for treatment and review of home exercises. For more complicated cases, longer consultations may be necessary (30 minutes).

Review Periodically:
Your condition will be reviewed with a directed assessment to gauge your progress. This generally requires an extended consultation (30 minutes).

Are all Chiropractors the same?

Within every profession there is a lot of variation. Chiropractic is no exception. It is important to find the right practitioner for you and your family.

Cassie has completed several postgraduate certificates: Chiropractic Neuro-Rehabilitation through the Carrick Institute in America (DACNB) and Functional Neuro-Orthopaedic Rehab (FNOR), QEEG functional brain scans and sports chiropractic (ICSSP & ISCS). Cassie is one of only nine Australian practitioners to combine sports chiropractic with chiropractic neuro-rehabilitation.

Dr Rabiah (Chiropractor) has completed training in cupping, dry needling and personal training.

Dr Tonilee (Chiropractor) is a certified in Sports Chiropractic (ICSSP) and a pre-natal and post-natal Pilates instructor.

Our scientific understanding of the body continues to grow every day. In fact, in 2017, a new muscle was discovered in the thigh! As such, we regularly attend conferences to provide the most up-to-date patient care.

This year Dr Cassie (Chiropractor) is completing training to become a Sensitive Sleep Consultant, Dr Rabiah (Chiropractor) personal training and Dr Tonilee (Chiropractor) Functional Neuro-Orthopaedic Rehabilitation.

What assessment techniques are used?

• Clinical Discussion about your current and past health, your presenting complaint and your goals for treatment

• Review of Reports or Imaging such as specialist reports, x-rays, MRIs or CTs which you may bring along with you

• Postural assessment

• Musculoskeletal Examination looking at movement, strength and quality of the joints, muscles and other structures. A Selective Functional Movement Assessment breaks down specific functional movement patterns, such as squats, to look for distant contributing dysfunction

• Neurological Assessment testing the function of your brain & nerves (nervous system), such as muscle reflexes, eye movements / reflexes and vestibular function

• "Chiropractic Functional Neurological" or Neuro-Rehabilitation Assessment* looking at the adaption and fatigue of your nervous system. For example cortical changes due to chronic pain.

• Computerised Balance Assessment using a balance platform to measure your stability and risk of falling

What conditions are seen by Chiropractors?

Chiropractic has grown over the last 120 years to be more holistic, addressing all joints of the body (not just the spine); muscle, ligament and tendon integrity; and general wellbeing.

• Headaches are commonly caused by muscle and neck dysfunction

• Dizziness can be caused by a mismatch of information from your body telling you are where you are, such as from the neck

• Neck pain and stiffness such as strains, torticollis / wry neck, discs injuries, whiplash or for arthritis relief

• Back pain and stiffness such as disc injuries, sprain / strains, postural dysfunction or relief from arthritis

• Sciatic Pain extending from the lower back down the leg

• Sports Injuries such as ankle sprains, plantar fasciitis, golfer's & tennis elbow, shin splints, hamstring injuries, patellofemoral pain syndrome, hip & knee osteoarthritis (degeneration), rotator cuff injuries and frozen shoulder

• Painful, clicking jaws

• Childhood conditions like limited range of motion contributing to feeding, crawling and movement issues

Whilst pain reduction is a main goal, our primary objective is to get you in the best functional form. We will work with you to achieve your goals; whether that’s picking the grandkids up, being more comfortable to improve concentration at school or getting back on the footy field injury-free.

What treatment modalities do we use?

Management plans are individually tailored to suit each patient, taking into consideration age, general health, presenting concerns and treatment preference.

Treatments may include:

• Spinal Adjustments and Mobilisation: gentle, precise manipulations of the spine

• Extremity Adjustments & Mobilisations: specific manipulations of the joints in the legs and arms

• Low Force (non-"cracking") Techniques: Activator, biomechanical blocking / wedges, cranial techniques, drop piece

• Massage Techniques: therapeutic massage, instrument assisted soft tissue technique, stretching, active muscle energy techniques

• Rehabilitation exercises designed specifically for you

• Home and Work Advice such as posture, desk ergonomics or activities to avoid or modify

• Electrical Stimulation such as TENS

• Laser Therapy

• Taping: supportive (rigid), functional and kinesotape (flexible)

• Lifestyle advice including dietary supplements

• Referral for further tests or to a specialist, if required

What is the difference between Chiropractors, Physiotherapists and Osteopaths?

Chiropractors, Physiotherapists and Osteopaths are registered and regulated professions by the Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency (AHPRA) with other health practitioners such as Medical Doctors, Dentists and Nurses. They all require a minimum of four years full-time university training. Commonly these practitioners have a similar undergraduate qualification (Bachelor of Health Science or Bachelor of Applied Science) majoring in their chosen field. These courses contain anatomy, physiology, pathology, neurology, orthopaedics, assessment and diagnosis.

Historically, the variation exists in each profession's philosophy and mode of treatment however this difference is decreasing in recent years. Modern manual therapists who keep abreast of clinical research use similar principles for assessment and treatment.

Individual practitioners will have a unique approach depending on their postgraduate education, clinical interests and personal experiences. Choosing the right practitioner for you and your family will come down to the individual, rather than the profession. If you would like to discuss if Chiropractic care could be beneficial for you and your family, please call us on (03) 9326 2842 or email admin@bodybraincentre.com.au.

Please note: Cassie is a chiropractor who has done postgraduate studies in Chiropractic Functional Neuro-Rehabilitation. She is not a medical doctor and has not been medically trained in neurology. If you wish to seek medical advice prior to your consultation, you should speak to your medical neurologist.