Your First Appointment
Your first visit is all about determining if you are in the correct place to get help. Our chiropractor will discuss with you what has brought you in, as well as your health history and goals. They will then perform specific chiropractic, orthopaedic and neurological tests which are relevant to your presentation. When they have a clearer understanding of your likely diagnosis/condition, you may be referred for additional testing (x-rays, bloods, referral to other health practitioners).
We like to be thorough; this appointment can take between 30-50 minutes. Your chiropractor will determine if they will adjust you during this initial visit based on your medical history and examination (taking into account safety considerations). This decision varies depending on individual circumstances, and your chiropractor will have a discussion with you about it
Your Second Appointment
Your second visit is what we call a ‘report of findings’ and will take approximately 30 minutes.
This is when the chiropractor will discuss with you the results of your first appointment assessments, and any further examinations that may have been referred for. If The Mountains Chiropractic is the best place for you to get help, we'll create a care plan based on your health goals, the latest evidence, our assessments, and experience. This usually involves chiropractic adjustments, tailored exercises, and lifestyle advice.
The main things we will cover are:
The cause of your problem
How we can help
How long it will take
Once you have all the above information the decision is up to you if you would like to begin your chiropractic care!
Continuing Care
Regular visits that are part of your care plan do not take as long as your first or second visits. At these visits your chiropractic will assess and adjust your spine, as needed, answer any questions you have and give rehabilitation and lifestyle advice if necessary.
If you have a new accident or are injured between your visits and think you may need a longer appointment for the your chiropractor to examine you, we ask that you call ahead and let us know.
At The Mountains Chiropractic we think that it is important to measure your progress regularly. Therefore every now and then we will ask you to come in for an extended appointment so that we can assess your subjective and objective improvements, this way we can make plans for your continuing or discontinuing care, making sure that we are never wasting your time or money.
FAQs
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There are many different techniques that chiropractors can use to adjust the spine. When you are already in pain, some techniques may be uncomfortable, but these can be modified for your comfort. Most people feel a sense of relief during and after their adjustments.
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This depends on a number of factors. These factors include how long you have had your problem, how severe it is, your lifestyle, as well as your examination results. Your chiropractor will explain to you how many visits will be required in your report of findings and come up with the appropriate management plan to help you recover as soon as possible. Through your course of care, your chiropractor will regularly reassess you both objectively and subjectively. By measuring the changes, they can monitor your improvements and ensure they are giving you the best and most appropriate treatment.
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You can see our rates here.
We can process private health rebates on site, so you only need to cover the gap.
You an also chat to your GP about getting referred on an EPC plan. Which can provide you with up to 5 medicare subsidised appointments.
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No, chiropractic is the third largest healthcare profession in the world and is a primary healthcare profession. This means we are the first line of contact for the public and patients do not need a referral to see us. Chiropractors are highly trained in diagnoses as well as, diagnosing from x-rays and being able to refer patients to other healthcare professionals if necessary.
In Australia, chiropractors have all completed a minimum of 5 years at university and are specialists in their field.
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Many joints contain small pockets of fluid called synovial fluid that help reduce friction between joint surfaces. You can think of it as a bit like WD40 for your bones. When these pockets of fluid are stretched or compressed with speed there is a change in pressure that releases a bubble of gas. This process is completely natural and the side-effect is the popping noise you may hear during some chiropractic adjustments.
The noise is not clinically significant in anyway and is not the aim of chiropractic treatment.
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Not if you don’t want to!
Chiropractors are trained in many different ways to restore normal joint movement and reduce pain. While adjustments that often produce a popping sound are extremely effective for addressing many conditions, we have a range of alternative techniques that can also help you.
Protocols for babies and children use no adjustments that produce a popping sound. In fact, many of these techniques use no more pressure than you would be able to tolerate on your own closed eye.
Patients who are in too much pain to receive a traditional adjustment, elderly patients and anyone who doesn’t feel comfortable with the popping sound can benefit from a similar approach. Just let us know how you would prefer to be treated and we will be very happy to accommodate your needs. It is always your choice.