Why is the spine so important? 

 

Your spine does much more than support your body. It protects the spinal cord, provides attachment for many muscles and allows you to bend, turn and move through everyday life.

The spinal cord and nerves are part of your nervous system—the communication network connecting your brain and body. Nerves travel from the spinal cord through openings between the bones of your spine, carrying messages to and from muscles, joints, organs and other tissues throughout your body. This communication pathway is essential for your body to sense, respond and function effectively.

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For your spine to function well, its joints need to move appropriately. When movement becomes restricted, or the surrounding muscles and tissues aren’t functioning as well as they could, you may notice pain, stiffness, reduced movement or symptoms elsewhere in the body.

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Chiropractic care focuses on assessing how your spine and body are moving and identifying areas that may not be functioning as well as they could. By helping to improve movement and alleviate symptoms, our aim is ultimately a practical one: helping you get back to doing the things you need and enjoy doing.

 

What can affect how your spine functions? 

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It is easy to understand how physical stresses can affect the spine. Lifting something heavy, repetitive movements, prolonged postures, injury or simply spending too much time in one position can all influence how comfortably and efficiently our joints and muscles move.

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But our bodies don't respond only to physical forces.

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Our nervous system is constantly responding to what is happening both around us and within us. Stress, emotions, sleep, illness and other environmental or lifestyle challenges can influence muscle tension, movement patterns and the way we experience pain.

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This is an area where our understanding continues to grow. Advances in neuroscience are helping us better understand the close relationship between the brain, nervous system and body—and why factors that may seem unrelated can influence how we feel and function.

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One area attracting particular interest is the vagus nerve, an important part of the autonomic nervous system. It plays a role in regulating many of the body's automatic processes and in helping the body shift between states of alertness, recovery and restoration.

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Looking at the spine in this broader context means considering more than just where it hurts. It means considering the physical, lifestyle and nervous system factors that may be contributing—and what may help you move, feel and function better.

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Who can see a Chiropractor?

 

Chiropractors are Primary Care practitioners, and so a referral is not required. We are trained in diagnosis. It is part of our role to take an entire health history (not just for the specific problem you may come in with). All elements of health work together, and part of the holistic approach is to know how all the bodily systems interact. We then decide how to personalise Chiropractic care to suit your condition, or if it is more appropriate to refer you to a different practitioner. This way we are safely able to care for patients in a variety of age groups, and with a variety of specific health requirements. 

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Chiropractors are registered with AHPRA (Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency).

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Do you accept GP referrals (GPCCMP) claims? 

 

Yes. GPCCMP is a Medicare system to give coordinated care for chronic health complaints. The most common reason we see GPCCMP patients is to help manage spinal pain or movement restriction. Also to improve spinal function to help you continue all your chosen daily activities. 

For this, we do require a referral from your GP/doctor. Once the correct paperwork is in place, we process the claim at the time of your appointment. Remember to bring your Medicare card!!

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Do you accept TAC and Workcover claims?

 

Only for current patients of our practice.

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Please let us know at the time of booking if your visit could possibly fall into the category of TAC or Workcover. This may change the type of appointment you need. TAC and Workcover have specific requirements from us, and we want to make sure we have time to complete any additional evaluation and document it correctly.Bring your claim acceptance paperwork with you. 

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We do not bill TAC or Workcover directly as they have made recent changes to their system. They have advised us to ask you to pay on the day and you can claim yourself. If you do have a claim and don't declare it to us, this may change the nature of your claim

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Please note we do not accept Workcover or TAC claims for new patients to our practice. This is due to the extensive requirements they place upon us. If you do have a claim and don't declare it to us, this may change the nature of your claim.

 

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What types of Private Health Insurance do you accept?

 

We have a Hicaps terminal in both practices. This accepts all the major Private Health Insurance companies. All eligible claims are processed on the spot. If you are unsure whether you are covered for Chiropractic, or whether your chosen Health Insurance is included in Hicaps, please contact your company before attending. If for any reason a claim does not get processed on the spot, we will give you a receipt and you will be able to claim this yourself. 

 

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What if I cannot attend my appointment? 

 

We are grateful if you let us know as soon as possible.

If you phone and let us know, we can help reschedule your appointment on the spot. Importantly, if you let us know you will not be attending, this then makes your appointment time available for somebody else to utilise. 

The answering machine is always available to leave messages if you are phoning outside regular Practice hours. 

We do have a missed appointment policy. If you do not attend, or give less than one hours notice, you may be charged the missed appointment fee. (Cost of your visit)

 

 

Do you take x-rays?

 

No. We do not take x-rays on site. If the Chiropractor determines that x-rays are required, they can refer you for spinal x-rays (that are covered by Medicare??) If any other films are required, the Chiropractor can communicate with your GP and it would be followed up that way. 

 

Should I attend when I am sick? 

 

Depends. 

If you are not feeling well and are unsure of whether to attend, please phone and ask us. 

Some illnesses and highly contagious and you definitely should not attend, especially Covid or Covid-type illnesses. 

However, we do like to take a case-by-case approach as some patients have found relief from some symptoms with Chiropractic care. A more common one is suffering from rib pain after a lot of coughing. If there is a suspicion that you could still be contagious we may still be able to see you, but take extra precautions like masks/liberal disinfectant and scheduling the appointment outside regular consulting hours so there is no contact with other patients, and there is time for extra cleaning. 

We do not sacrifice the health of one patient for another, and are very particular in taking extra precautions with contagious illness as we do have immunocompromised patients that require a safe environment.