Frequently Asked Questions
Chiropractic FAQs
Have a questions about chiropractic, what to expect and how it can help you?
After over 20 years studying and practicing chiropractic, here are our answers to the most common questions we hear. If you have any other questions, please get in touch.
Chiropractic Question and Answer
What happens when I go to a chiropractor?
In your Free Consultation* at Ryde Chiropractic, Dr. Anthony (Chiropractor), or another Chiropractor on the team, will carefully listen to your problems and how they affect you, get a complete picture of your current health concerns, and answer any of your questions. *See terms and conditions.
If you are happy to proceed, your Chiropractor will then complete a paid orthopaedic, neurological and chiropractic examination and if necessary, refer you for bulk billed x-rays at a nearby radiology centre.
He will then assess your examination findings overnight to discuss them with you at your Recommendations Conversation.
Do I have a slipped disc?
A ‘slipped disc’ is an everyday term to describe a number of disc related spine problems. Discs technically don’t slip, but they can bulge, prolapse and herniate. When this happens, the disc may put pressure on a nerve and create pain, tingling, numbness or weakness. Your Chiropractor will assess you thoroughly to determine if you have a slipped disc.
Do I have a pinched nerve?
It is possible you do, though a genuine pinched nerve is rare. Usually what people describe as a pinched nerve is actually irritation to a joint, involving swelling and inflammation. Granted, it can feel like a pinched nerve, though. There are many causes of pain in the spine, which is why your Chiropractor will perform a thorough history and assessment to determine the cause.
Do I need x-rays?
Your case will be assessed individually for whether or not x-rays are necessary. If they are, your Chiropractor will write you a script to a local radiology centre who will perform the x-ray examination. If you have a medicare card, the cost will be bulk-billed and covered by medicare. After that, the images and radiology report will be available for your Chiropractor to observe online and integrate with the findings from your initial consultation.
Of course, if you have x-rays from a previous chiropractor or other practitioner, please bring them with you to assist your chiropractor.
Do I need a referral from my GP?
In short, no. You may visit a chiropractor without a GP or other medical referral. This is very common.
Will my health insurance company cover my chiropractic care?
Care provided by your Chiropractor at Ryde Chiropractic is covered by most health insurance extras policies. The amount you will be able to claim back will vary from policy to policy. Please check with your insurance company to confirm.
Is chiropractic covered by medicare?
If you have a Chronic Disease Management (formerly Enhanced Primary Care) referral from your GP , you may received up to 5 visits subsidised by medicare. Simply bring your referral form given to you by your GP and you will be able to claim money back from medicare.
What is the popping sound?
The ‘pop’ or ‘crack’ sound that may happen during some types of chiropractic adjustment or manipulation is harmless and natural. It comes from a transfer of gas in the joint. This is similar to the pop when opening a can of coke, opening champagne or releasing a suction cup. Some people think that the sound is from bones rubbing on each other, breaking or going back in place, but this is not true. The sound, or it’s absence, does not mean anything about the quality or success of an adjustment, even though some patients like to hear it.
How can a chiropractor help me?
Increasing amounts of scientific evidence support early examination and treatment of musculoskeletal pain by appropriately qualified professionals. Chiropractors are trained to diagnose and treat problems involving joints, bones, muscles, nerves and ligaments. Ryde Chiropractic also helps patients with health and postural habits, lifestyle advice and rehabilitation.
The most common reasons someone sees a chiropractor are for back pain, neck pain, sciatica and headaches. Other problems include pain, stiffness or dysfunction in other joints or muscles in the body including shoulders, elbows, knee and ankles.
What do chiropractors do?
Some people make the mistake of believing that chiropractors only do spinal manipulation (spinal adjustment). In fact, chiropractors use many different techniques and approaches to suit the needs and preferences of each patient. These may include spinal adjustments, joint mobilisation, muscle and soft tissue techniques, stretching and strengthening exercises, rehabilitation and lifestyle advice. These have been shown to be effective in helping many musculoskeletal problems.
Just like other health professionals, they make an assessment, develop a treatment plan and provide advice to gain the best outcome.
What is a chiropractic adjustment?
A chiropractic adjustment is the application of a specific force in a precise direction to a joint (usually spinal joint) that is ‘stuck’ or not moving properly. This technique can helping improve movement in the joint, decrease pain and improve function.
Ryde Chiropractic uses many different ways to adjust the spine, depending on the patient’s age, health, size and preference. These may be done by hand or by specially designed instruments. This is one of the many options chiropractors have to help you restore and maintain function.
How many appointments will I need?
After reviewing all your findings from your initial consultation, Dr. Anthony (Chiropractor) or one of his team will let you know at your Recommendations Conversation appointment how many he expects you will need. You will receive your individualised plan based on your health issues and health goals. Your Chiropractor at Ryde Chiropractic will take into account what your problem is, it’s severity, how long you have had it, your age, level of health and the activities you commonly undertake. For some, a short course of care is all you need. Others require an intensive period of care, followed by rehabilitation.
How long will it take until I feel better?
Feel better!
Some people feel relief almost instantly and most will feel a good improvement in one or two weeks which consolidates and improves with further care. It depends on many factors like your problem’s severity, how long you have had it, your age, level of health and the activities you commonly undertake. Keeping your appointments, following your chiropractor’s exercise prescriptions and lifestyle advice will accelerate your healing process.
Do I need to see a chiropractor forever?
It is entirely up to you how long you receive chiropractic care. Your chiropractor is happy to provide you with whatever type of care that suits your health goals.
Is chiropractic care safe?
When performing chiropractic adjustments, chiropractors use skill built from years of training and experience, rather than using force or strength. Other kinds of hands on care that are low force can also used when appropriate.
Chiropractic care is low risk, especially when compared with more invasive methods of spinal healthcare such as surgery. As with other forms of treatment, chiropractic has the potential for adverse reactions in some people.
Can I adjust myself or crack my own back?
No. The precision and specificity of a chiropractic adjustment is not there when you attempt to do it yourself. Despite more than two decades of studying and practicing chiropractic, Dr Anthony (Chiropractor) cannot and does not adjust himself. Watch this video to learn more about why you shouldn’t ‘crack’ your own back or neck.
Am I too old for chiropractic care?
In short, no. It doesn’t matter what age you are, chiropractic care can be delivered safely and effectively to you. Of course the way we care for a professional rugby player will be different to the way be care for a senior citizen. Techniques are modified and adapted to suit the person we are treating.
Do chiropractic adjustments hurt?
For some, after an adjustment, a brief discomfort may be felt, though it is rare. Most of the time, people enjoy the experience, finding it relieving and relaxing.
With some adjustments, you may hear a ‘click’ or a ‘pop’ sound. This is harmless and simply from a movement of gas or a change of pressure in the joint.
Is it okay to see a chiropractor when pregnant?
Chiropractic and pregnancy
Yes, it is. Pregnancy brings on many changes to your body which can contribute to aches and pains. Dr. Anthony (Chiropract0r) and his team have years of experience helping pregnant mums with the musculoskeletal problems that can arise during pregnancy. He will adapt your chiropractic care to suit you situation and stage of pregnancy.
Is it okay to see a chiropractor if I have osteoporosis?
Unless you have advanced osteoporosis, yes it is okay. Your Chiropractor will adapt your care to suit your more fragile bones by using low force techniques, if you have osteoporosis.
Is chiropractic safe for children?
Yes, it is. Chiropractic is low risk especially compared to more invasive kinds of treatment. The forces and techniques used are adapted to the size, age and condition of each person. Children have spines as well, and just like adults, they can have musculoskeletal problems which chiropractic can help.
What if getting my neck worked on makes me nervous?
We don’t do anything for a patient that they are not happy for us to do. There are many techniques within chiropractic for someone’s neck that are not an ‘adjustment’ or ‘manipulation’. These provide great results and ease the fears of nervous patients. Any technique we use will be based on what the findings from your history and examination deem appropriate and always take into account your preferences.
Can I see a chiropractor after spinal surgery?
Yes. Your chiropractor will take into account any surgery that you have had when choosing how best to care for you. We have cared for many people with surgery.
What should I wear to my appointments?
All appointments are conducted fully clothed. Ideally you would wear loose fitting clothing without belts.
Is chiropractic covered by workers compensation and veteran affairs?
Yes. You will need to see your GP first and get a referral to a chiropractor. For workers compensation, your supervisor at work needs to lodge the necessary paper work about the injury and the referral to their insurance company. Once this process is approved, your chiropractor can forward the cost of your chiropractic care directly to the relevant insurance company.
Veterans will also need a GP referral for chiropractic care to be covered by Veteran Affairs. Your referral will be valid for twelve months, after which a new one will be needed to continue care. We will take details from your Vet card at your first visit and bill Veteran Affairs directly.
How are chiropractors educated?
In Australia, chiropractors study a minimum of 5 years full time at a university. This includes an undergraduate science degree and then a masters degree. Dr Anthony Leong (Chiropractor) graduated from Macquarie University with his Bachelor of Science (major in human anatomy) in 2000 and Masters of Chiropractic in 2002, achieving the Golden Key Scholarship along the way.
Chiropractors complete continuing education each year to further improve and update knowledge and skills.
The process of education is similar in Australia for physiotherapists and osteopaths.
Are chiropractors regulated?
All chiropractors in Australia are registered with the Chiropractic Board of Australia and must meet the Board’s registration standards to practise in Australia. The Chiropractic Board of Australia is supported by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Regulation Agency (AHPRA).
What are your fees?
Please click here to see our full description of appointment types and fees.
What areas do you serve?
Our patients come from right across Sydney! We proudly serve Ryde, North Ryde, Eastwood, Epping, Macquarie Park, Gladeville, Denistone and surrounds.
If you’ve read this far, you now know a lot more about chiropractic. Thanks for reading our chiropractic FAQ.
Have another question?
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