1. Do chiropractors only treat people with back pain?

Chiropractors treat problems of the spine and nervous system. And because of the relationship of the two, they're able to treat a range of related problems like headaches, muscle and joint pain, fatigue, sinus, insomnia, digestive disorders and even bedwetting in children.

Another aspect of chiropractic at Kangaroo Point Chiropractic is wellness care- this can help to maintain general wellbeing, rather than care for a particular problem.

2. Are spinal adjustments dangerous?

No. Spinal adjustments are very safe. Each adjustment is performed differently according to the patient and their specific needs. Some people are not given spinal adjustments. Instead they are treated with some low-force chiropractic techniques, which both chiropractors in our clinic use regularly.

A study that compared the safety of a course of chiropractic care to a course of non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs), showed chiropractic care to be between 100 and 400 times safer.

3. What is the noise I hear during an adjustment?

When your vertebrae are adjusted, tiny pockets of gas are released from the joints, making a 'popping' noise. It's the same sound you hear when you pop your knuckles. Not all patients hear this noise.

4. Is it true that seeing a chiropractor once means you'll have to keep coming back forever?

Some people see a chiropractor because they have specific symptoms and will only want a short period of care (until the symptoms resolve).

Others take a proactive approach and use regular chiropractic as a means of maintaining and improving spinal health and overall wellbeing. Kangaroo Point Chiropractic offers you the solutions you need for you pathway to better health.

5. What qualifications does a chiropractor have?.

Your chiropractor has completed a 5 year, full time university degree with an emphasis on the biological sciences. The last two years of the chiropractic degree are postgraduate and include a year of clinical practice. In Australia, the Universities are at RMIT (Victoria), Macquarie (Sydney) and Murdoch (West Australia).

All chiropractors must be registered with the government run Chiropractors Registration Board, in order to practice in Australia.

6. Do adjustments hurt?

For most patients, chiropractic adjustments are painless. Kangaroo Point Chiropractic's experienced chiropractors use a variety of gently techniques that are tailored to suit each person. Rarely, mild discomfort may be felt if the patient has inflammation.

Many patients, however, report a feeling of relief, calmness and a sense of wellbeing after an adjustment.

7. Can I adjust myself?

No. This is dangerous. Chiropractors have a 5 year university degree. Chiropractic adjustments need to be performed by a skilled professional.

8. What's the difference between a chiropractor and an osteopath?

Many techniques used by chiropractors and osteopaths are similar but each takes a slightly different approach. Chiropractors tend to focus on reducing pressure to the nervous system while osteopaths work to improve blood flow.

9. I've been told my headaches are due to subluxations- what does that mean?

When the neck is out of balance the effect on the nerves to the head may cause headaches. A 2000 study conducted at Sydney's Macquarie University found that 72% of migraine suffers reported and improvement with chiropractic care.

10. Does an irritated nerve always hurt?