Chiropractic

Chiropractic care involves gentle, safe and effective techniques which may include, but are not limited to, muscle release techniques, joint mobilisation and manipulation. Chiropractors spend no less than 6 years training to identify and correct problems within the spine and periphery, providing relief from pain, stiffness and a range of associated symptoms.

Chiropractors focus on disorders of the musculoskeletal system and the nervous system, as well as the effects these disorders have on your health. Chiropractic care is used to treat neuromusculoskeletal complaints, including but not limited to back pain, neck pain, pain in the joints of the arms or legs, and headaches.

Chiropractors have a large range of diagnostic skills and are also trained to recommend therapeutic and rehabilitative exercises, as well as to provide nutritional, dietary and lifestyle advice.

The most common procedure performed by chiropractors is known as “spinal manipulation,” or a “chiropractic adjustment.” This manipulation is used to restore joint mobility by manually applying a controlled force into the joint that has become hypomobile – or restricted in its movement. Joints can become hypomobile in a number of ways; for example, an injury can be caused by a single traumatic event, such as a car accident, or from small repetitive stress-like sitting in an awkward position for a long time. In either case, injured tissues undergo physical and chemical changes causing inflammation, pain, and diminished function in the area. Manipulation, or adjustment of the joint and/or tissues that are affected, helps restore mobility to the area, which assists in alleviating pain, reduces the muscle tightness, and allows the tissue to heal.

Chiropractic adjustments rarely cause discomfort. However, patients commonly experience mild soreness or aching following initial treatments (the same as when you are sore after exercise if you have not done it for a while). This soreness usually resolves within 12 to 48 hours.

Chiropractic care may be the primary method of treatment for many conditions, like lower back pain, but when other medical conditions are present, chiropractic care may complement or support medical treatment by relieving the musculoskeletal aspects associated with the condition. Chiropractors use many forms of clinical examination, laboratory testing, diagnostic imaging and other diagnostic interventions to determine when chiropractic treatment is appropriate or when it is not appropriate.

The Ashgrove Spinal Centre’s Chiropractor, Dr Bailey, is a fully qualified and registered health professional who is highly trained to diagnose and/or treat conditions of the neuromuscular skeletal system. Dr Bailey works with many other medical professionals and will always refer to your GP or other Medical Specialist if your condition is not suitable to be treated with chiropractic care or if your condition requires further investigation.

History of chiropractic treatment

Spinal manipulation has been used as a healing technique for thousands of years, but the modern version was developed in the late nineteenth century. Chiropractic is recognised as a genuine healthcare approach, and published research studies have found that it can be effective for people with a range of spinal and other problems.

Chiropractic treatment for disorders

Research supports the use of chiropractic for a range of disorders, including:

  • Back injuries
  • Headaches
  • Lower back pain
  • Migraines
  • Problems with posture
  • Sciatica (shooting pains in the leg)
  • Problems with other joints such as the knees, shoulders, feet and hands.

What a chiropractor does

Your chiropractor will evaluate your health by first asking you to complete a detailed medical history, they will also ask you many questions about your condition and perform a thorough physical examination. This may involve watching how you stand and move; feeling your spine, head and pelvis; and requesting additional tests such as x-rays. If it is decided Chiropractic is an appropriate treatment option for your condition and investigations have shown it is safe to do so, you may be adjusted. A chiropractic adjustment can be performed while you are standing, sitting, lying down or a combination of some or all of these. How you are adjusted is entirely dependent on your symptoms and other factors such as age, weight, other conditions you may have and of course the judgment of your chiropractor. You can sometimes hear a clicking or clunking sound as the spinal joints are adjusted. This is entirely normal and also usually painless. After a comprehensive health assessment and examination, your chiropractor will take into account any other specific health issues you may have when deciding on your treatment. These assessments assist your chiropractor to evaluate any special needs you may have and make sure you feel safe and comfortable as possible during treatment.

These issues may include:
•   Whether you have signs of or diagnosed arthritis
•   Any suspected or recent fractures, bone breaks or trauma
•   Disorders of the circulation
•   Your body size
•   Your age – whether you are young, elderly or frail
•   The medication that you are taking
•   Previous treatment, including operations.

There are a number of different methods of adjustments that use various degrees of hand pressure and specialised equipment, including:
•   Using the hands to press or push
•   Positioning the body to use gravity and the body’s own weight
•   Using mechanical instruments
•   Placing wedges under the body and using the body’s own weight
•   Using specialised adjusting tables to assist the adjustments
•   Using slow and sustained hand pressure or swifter movements.

Looking for a Chiropractor in Brisbane?

The Ashgrove Spinal Centre’s Chiropractor, Dr Bailey, is a fully qualified and registered health professional who is highly trained to diagnose and/or treat conditions of the neuromuscular skeletal system. The great thing about the Ashgrove Spinal Centre is we are an inclusive practice. Regardless if you are young, old, or in between, if you are in pain or just wanting to move towards a healthier lifestyle, there is a place for you TASC.

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