Patient Care
Chiropractic is a primary health care profession that specialises in the diagnosis, treatment and management of conditions that are due to mechanical dysfunction of the joints, particularly those of the spine, and their effects on the nervous system. Read more on our Conditions Treated page.
If you feel you are unsure as to whether chiropractic can help, then we recommend that you phone the clinic. Our chiropractors, Hilton or David, would be more than happy to speak to you before committing to an appointment.
Your First Visit
To ensure that chiropractic care is appropriate for your condition, we will need to establish your overall health picture. You will be asked for a great deal of information, not just about the pain or complaint that may have brought you to the clinic (your reasons for asking for chiropractic care), but also about your past health history. Some of the questions may appear irrelevant, but they are extremely important to us.
During your first visit, lasting 30-60 min, the following will take place:
- Taking case history
Physical examination
Orthopaedic
Report of Findings
Neurological
Specific personalised treatment plan
Chiropractic
Taking x-rays, if indicated
If chiropractic care appears not to be suitable for you, you will be referred to your GP or relevant specialist.
Your details are confidential. No one else will be allowed to see your notes without your permision.
Taking Case History
You first meeting will start with a discussion about you, your health and reason for asking for chiropractic help. You will be asked about your presenting complaint and also about your health history to establish an overall health picture.
Report of findings
Once we have diagnosed the problem, we will explain what is wrong with you and discuss the choices you have, which may include referring you to another specialist.
If chiropractic can help, we will explain your treatment options simply and clearly and give you all the information you need to decide what is best for you.
Examination
Once the case history is complete, a thorough examination will take place, including orthopaedic, neurological, and chiropractic tests to check your nerves, muscles and joints.
X-rays will then be taken if necessary. X-rays are taken to confirm the diagnosis or to rule out conditions which may not be amenable to Chiropractic care. In some instances, medical intervention is what is required.
Pain Relief
Many of our patients come to us with a presenting complaint needing immediate attention. The examination and findings will indicate the course of treatment required.
Generally, the treatment plan will require several visits. Your chiropractor will explain your treatment options. The first option is to be as pain free as possible in the shortest time possible.
After pain relief is achieved, you will be offered a choice of either Maintenance Care or Wellness Care.
Maintenance Care
Many of our patients continue to visit us for Maintenance Care to reduce the recurrence of the symptoms. These are periodic checkups relating to the nerves, muscles and joints.
Many of our long term patients have Maintenance Care every few months.
Wellness Care
Wellness Care is a more comprehensive programme and includes lifestyle management, nutritional assessment and exercise programmes.
Our chiropractors will recommend instructional sessions of home exercise with advice (HEA). Results of a study has concluded that for acute and subacute neck pain, spinal manipulation therapy (SMT) and instructional sessions of home exercise with advice (HEA) were more effective than medication in both the short and long term. This programme requires the active participation of the patient and for those who are able to perform exercises constitute part of Wellness Care. Re-assessment is an essential aspect of this approach.
Patients will also have the opportunity to avail themselves of the services of a massage therapist to reduce stress levels and help them relax.
Patients who chose this type of care are normally happy to come for more frequent visits and are looking to maintain their body in the best possible health.
