FAQ

Spinal care has been popular amongst celebrities for over 100 years. Whenever it has been necessary to succeed without unnecessary drugs and surgery Spinal care has been the first choice for acute and preventative care for many famous people.

Spinal Care Doctors treat all whom they sincerely feel they can help. Among them are many famous people.

This topic is the subject of much professional debate. Some people have naturally cracking joints others make no noise at all. Many people are in between. The spinal adjustment is a concentrate form of exercise that is usually given to those joints that are stiff and restricted in their movement. Sometimes there is a calcium buildup on the joint surface called exostoses. That is like a rusty hinge and makes noise when it is moved. Some joints have developed adhesions where the tissue has grown together. This can make a cracking noise when moved. Some joints when stretched make a popping sound like a suction cup when released. One thing we do know is that while there may be some noise with the adjustment usually there is no pain. The pain has usually occured at the time of the injury. Research also shows the more movement a joint has the healthier it is. Stiff joints lead to osteoarthritis.

Sometimes just a gentle stretch will get the joint working again.

Usually no. The Doctors will tell you what to do at the time they see you. It always helps to arrive a little early for you appointment to relax. If your schedule is busy, be sure to tell the receptionist so that we can give you every consideration.

It also helps to wear loose clothing for ease of movement. Tell the Doctor about all injuries that you have (or had) even though they may be in places other than your back.

Find a position that is comfortable and stay in it. Then call us straight away or have a friend call. We will give you the advice that will be most applicable in your circumstance.

Yes, always think about what you do before you do it. The most difficult thing people can do is think. This one action will prevent so many injuries. Next hint is if you don’t feel confident in doing something, get some help. Remember “Pride comes before the Fall”. Last hint is not to make yourself tired. Fatigue causes most injuries. Never trust your back. Once an injury has occurred studies show it will happen again.  For more information see this site.

See our Educational Resources page to find information about Spinal Care Research, Schools, Associations, Journals, Patient help programs etc.

See our ‘Before your visit‘ page. It will introduce you to our services. Specifically, the Doctor will make you as comfortable as possible as the adjustment is made to your body. Chiropractic means “Done by Hand”. This means the Doctor will use his/her hands to move your bones, muscles and nerves the way they should be.

Use the form on our Contact page now and we will make a time with you that allows us to have the time needed to give you the best care. You may wish to complete our questionnaire to help us prepare for your visit and save you time filling them out in the clinic. Usually the first visit will require about one hour with us.

See our Contact page to assist your finding us at Macquarie Chiropractic Clinic, 6 Weedon Close, BELCONNEN, A.C.T., AUSTRALIA 2617.

Our Doctors will do our best to provide the most effective treatment possible with each visit. Usually most patients feel better after each visit. To better evaluate our care we usually determine a trial period we feel will be the most responsive for your care. It is always better not to delay your care to obtain best results.

Medicare does not reimburse for spinal care at this time. However Medicare provides limited cover for spinal care via its enhanced primary care program.  You will need to get a referral from your medical doctor to activate this benefit. The profession has made application for further benefits. Please contact your local Member of Parliament for further information. Private Health funds have various levels of reimbursement for spinal care services. Call your fund for the latest information.

You can come in at any age. Our youngest patient was only a few hours old. Spinal trauma is not unusual even with a normal birth. Gentle techniques are used for both the infant and the mother. Our oldest patient is 96, has less pain and is much more alert after his adjustment. Different techniques are used to help different age groups.

Our priority is to find the cause of your problem. Our primary consideration is structural balance between all the body systems. Along with your adjustments you may receive advice regarding diet, relaxation, dietary supplements, exercises, sports programs , ergonomics and travel.

Yes. We use Applied Kinesiology skills to assist with the diagnoses of the muscles needed to be exercised. Once your structural system is balanced a specific exercise program is recommended to maintain the results and strengthen the balance.

Please see the Contact page for our opening hours.

Allow about one hour for your first visit with us. This visit will be planned at a time that is interruption free, giving the doctor the opportunity to listen to you and find out if he/she can help you. X-ray service may take 20-30 minutes to complete. Time with the doctor for an explanation of findings may take 15-20 minutes. Treatment times usually vary from 5 to 15 minute visits.

First visit-Consultation and Examination: $195
Treatment visit $80
Pensioner and Children $75
Fees are expected to be paid at the time of service.
Fees are subject to change without notice.
For more information please call our receptionist.

No, you can call for an appointment anytime. Statistics show that if you want a referral from your Medical Doctor you will need to ask for it and not rely on an informed recommendation for spinal care. Most Medical Doctors know very little about what Chiropractors and other spinal care specialists do. However, we are trying our best to inform them of our service.

X-Ray and other imaging is now available by chiropractic referral to local imaging centres.  Costs are not always rebateable and may need to be paid by the customer.

Private health insurance companies do not require a referral. Third Party and Workers Compensation insurance Companies have different requirements and may require this formality. Be sure to contact your company for the most up to date information.

No. We use the spine to access the nervous system. The nervous system controls and coordinates all other systems of the body. The first spinal care adjustment was given to a patient who was deaf. His hearing was restored. The second patient suffered from angina (heart pain). It was resolved. Spinal care began as a form of practice for just about any condition a patient suffered. Chiropractors became known in later years as back doctors because of their approach. Back care only is a very limited attitude to spinal care. Research shows spinal care have helped headaches, migraine, neck pain, stomach ulcers, infant colic, middle ear pain, premenstrual pain, improved immune function, improved brain function, better vision, reviving comatose patients, ankles, hips, knees, shoulders, elbows, wrists etc.

Chiropractic, or spinal care, began in 1895 in Davenport, Iowa, USA. Dr. Daniel David Palmer, a Magnetic Healer, discovered a vertebrae out of position in the back of his deaf Janitor Harvey Lillard. He repositioned (adjusted) the malpositioned vertebrae (subluxation) and Harvey’s hearing was restored. Palmer then taught other Medical Doctors and Osteopaths his discovery. They claimed it was superior to all other manual techniques of the time. Its unique feature was the spine’s relationship to the nervous system. Palmer discovered a new theory of health balance. Dr. Palmer had an inquisitive mind and was a voracious reader constantly updating his discovery. His son BJ Palmer perpetuated the development of the theories. The grandson David Palmer expanded the educational facilities of the school. Daniel David Palmer’s great granddaughter is the current chairman of the board of the Palmer University.

Kinesiology is the study of movement. It is another term for the Touch for Health program developed by a Chiropractor, Dr. John Thie of California, USA. This program was designed as a patient first aid program to assist the spinal care treatments. It has now grown worldwide and assists many people. Applied Kinesiology is a three year post graduate program for licenced diagnosticians developed by a Detroit Chiropractor, Dr. George Goodheart. This speciality adds new skills to professionals who use it. Our Doctors are skilled in the application of these Manual Muscle Testing techniques.

Medicare does not reimburse for spinal care. Our Doctors will do their best to help you efficiently and give you the best value for money we can. People of all ages can receive spinal care. All patients are expected to pay for the care they receive. We encourage our patients to contact the Medicare office and ask for spinal care services to be included in their funding.