Why use a Chiropractor?
Chiropractor Qualifications
Australian chiropractors are five years university trained, and are government registered and government regulated health professionals.
To become a registered chiropractor in Australia you must have studied an accredited 5-year full time chiropractic program conducted at a University within Australia, or have completed an accredited program overseas that satisfies the requirements set by the Australian Chiropractic Regulating Authority.
Successful completion of the whole program of study is required for professional registration as a chiropractor.
A chiropractor’s education never ends. After entering practice, all chiropractors must complete continuing professional development courses and seminars to up grade and improve their skills and to stay current on the latest scientific research in order to stay registered.
What is chiropractic?
Chiropractic is a natural health care profession focused on the health of the spine and its related structures (including the nervous system).
Some of the reasons people may consult chiropractors are:
- Back pain
- Neck pain
- Headaches
- Poor posture
- Stiffness
- Sciatica
- Numbness
- Bulging or herniated discs
- Scoliosis
- Shoulder, hip or extremity problems
- For advice or help with a health condition
- To enhance or maintain spinal health and wellbeing
Some of the benefits of chiropractic care may include:
- Reduced tension, pain, headaches and other symptoms
- Greater flexibility, strength and muscle coordination
- Improved posture
- Help with spinal degeneration/arthritis
- Higher productivity and performance
- Improved ability to concentrate and stay on task
- Greater energy and vitality
- Greater ability to relax and cope with stress and change
- Greater emotional wellbeing
Chiropractic also places an emphasis on nutrition, exercise, wellness and healthy lifestyle modifications.
The World Health Organization definition of chiropractic (Guidelines on Chiropractic, 2005) is:
“A health care profession concerned with the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disorders of the neuromusculoskeletal system and the effects of these disorders on general health. There is an emphasis on manual techniques, including joint adjustment and/or manipulation with a particular focus on subluxations.”
What is a subluxation?
A subluxation is a word used by chiropractors to describe restriction/dysfunction in a joint and the effects this may have on the nervous system and other systems within the body.
The World Health Organization definition of subluxation
(Guidelines on Chiropractic, 2005) is: “A lesion or dysfunction in a joint or motion segment in which alignment, movement integrity and/or physiological function are altered, although contact between joint surfaces remains intact. It is essentially a functional entity, which may influence biomechanical and neural integrity.” Note: The chiropractic subluxation is different from the medical subluxation, in which a medical subluxation is a significant structural displacement, and therefore visible on static imaging studies.
What is an adjustment?
A chiropractic adjustment is the use of a specific force in a precise direction with the intention to help normalise spinal function. It is applied to a joint or tissue that is fixated, locked up, or not moving properly.
The World Health Organization (WHO) definition of an adjustment (Guidelines on Chiropractic, 2005) is: “Any chiropractic therapeutic procedure that ultimately uses controlled force, leverage, direction, amplitude and velocity, which is applied to specific joints and adjacent tissues. Chiropractors commonly use such procedures to influence joint and neurophysiological function.” World Health Organization, Guidelines on Chiropractic, 2005
What can I expect from a chiropractor?
- Use evidence, clinical experience, patient values and patient preferences
- Deliver a high standard of chiropractic adjustments, manipulation and other manual treatments
- Embody a tradition of caring, effectiveness and patient satisfaction
- Collaborate and coordinate care with other health professional
- Work to enhance patient quality of life and performance
- Promote vitality, wellness and patient empowerment
- Help to improve quality of life without drugs or surgery
- Offer readily accessible care and advice on self-care
