Chiropractors in Australia are a nationally registered and a regulated health care profession. Chiropractic is a drug and surgery free modality of treatment concerned with the diagnosis, management and prevention of mechanical disorders of the musculoskeletal system; this includes the effects of these disorders on the function of the nervous system and general health. It is based on the teachings of Galen and Hippocrates and the premise that the body can respond appropriately to its environment provided that the nervous system is free of interference. This was further developed by Palmer which lead to a focus on the spinal column and its functioning. In summary, chiropractors focus on the detection and correction of aberrant spinal function and its subsequent effect on how the nervous system controls and coordinates the body in response to its environment.
In Australia, chiropractors are educated in the University sector at an under-graduate and post-graduate level and there is a growing research and evidence base not only in Australia but through international federations. As with other healthcare professions, there are internationally and nationally recognised standards of qualification to enable practice in Australia and this is part of the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme.
What do Chiropractors do and how do they treat children?
Chiropractors provide patient-centred care and work in partnership with the consumers of chiropractic services. This includes using shared decision making through the informed consent process and using communication strategies that are tailored to the needs and preferences of the patient. Good clinical decision making takes account of patients’ preferences and values, clinicians values and experiences to provide treatment that maximises benefit with minimum risk of harm. This includes referral to other healthcare providers when indicated to ensure the best and most appropriate treatment and health outcome.
The typical chiropractic care of infants and young children involves the use of low-force low-amplitude techniques in contrast to those used on the adult population that typically involve more high velocity, low-amplitude thrust in combination with a variety of low-force low-amplitude treatment procedures.
Published studies and reports through the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme show that chiropractic is a low risk health modality. While chiropractic treatment is generally considered safe, occasionally it may cause adverse reactions in some people. Similar techniques by other practitioner groups who have the ability to practise restricted acts as defined by law, also demonstrate low risk and harm.
Chiropractors are educated to modify spinal manual therapy to suit the age and presenting condition of a patient.
Can I have confidence in what Chiropractors do?
Chiropractors are registered by the Chiropractic Board of Australia and like all other registered health care providers, must adhere to National Law and profession specific codes of conduct and guidelines. An October 2015 Position Statement by the Board acknowledged that chiropractic paediatric management education is provided by all accredited Australian Universities, this incorporated an understanding of risks where identified and emphasised established clinical best practice guidelines for the treatment of children. There are gaps in the knowledge base in relation to the chiropractic care of children and more research is needed. What remains unchanged is that chiropractic care is delivered by university educated, regulated healthcare professionals. There is high expressed satisfaction by parents/guardians seeking care of their children. The profession is committed to ensuring evidence informed care is provided to patients.
Where do Chiropractors fit in the Australian Healthcare system?
All healthcare interventions carry a level of risk and treatment will be informed by evidence, clinician experience and patient participation. There is significant review and reform occurring in Australia to ensure that patients receive appropriate care, utilising effective treatments and underpinned by exemplary conduct. There are examples in all healthcare modalities where treatment choice, effectiveness and conduct are not optimal, it is not just about chiropractors and chiropractic, and all professions are experiencing change.
How can a chiropractor help you?
More and more, evidence supports early referral and assessment of musculoskeletal pain patients to an appropriately qualified musculoskeletal clinician, such as a chiropractor. Chiropractors are not only trained to treat musculoskeletal pain patients, they are also trained to facilitate health promotion and lifestyle advice, rehabilitation and patient education.
Consumers usually seek chiropractic care for back pain, neck pain and headaches, as well as for general health and wellbeing.
What do chiropractors do?
There is a common misconception that chiropractic care involves a singular therapeutic technique – spinal manipulation (spinal adjustment). Chiropractors, however, use a patient-centred, multi-modal model of care.
Most Australian chiropractors provide a therapeutic approach to care that incorporates a range of manual therapies, which may include spinal adjustment, but also includes mobilisation, muscle and soft tissue techniques, along with electrotherapies, exercise prescription, rehabilitation, nutritional recommendations and lifestyle advice. These are of benefit to people with a range of musculoskeletal conditions.
When treating patients, chiropractors are no different to any other health professional (including GPs). They make an assessment and develop a treatment plan in accordance with the needs of the patient and provide advice on future management strategies. Chiropractic care is covered under Medicare.
Is chiropractic care safe?
Chiropractors use skill, not force or strength, to conduct specific chiropractic adjustments. Various types of manual therapy and low-force interventions are also used where appropriate.
Chiropractic care has a very low risk profile, especially when compared with more invasive methods of spinal healthcare; however, all forms of chiropractic treatment have the potential for adverse reactions in some people.
What is a chiropractic adjustment?
A chiropractic adjustment is the application of a specific force in a precise direction, applied skilfully to a spinal joint that is fixated, “locked up”, or not moving as it should. This can help improve or restore motion to the joint, helping the spine to gradually regain more normal motion and function.
There are many ways to adjust the spine. Usually, the chiropractor’s hands or a specially designed instrument deliver a brief and highly accurate thrust. Some adjusting methods are quick, whereas others require a slow, constant or indirect pressure.
Restoring better spinal function can help improve mobility, vitality, and endurance.
Am I too old for chiropractic care?
In short, no! There is no age limit on chiropractic, and more and more people are consulting chiropractors, especially in their later years. In order to deliver the safest, most effective and highest quality care possible, chiropractic techniques are modified appropriately for each person at every age and stage of life.
Do chiropractic adjustments hurt?
While brief discomfort may occur after an adjustment, it is rare, and most people find the adjustment process very relaxing.
With some adjustments, you may sometimes feel or hear a popping sound from the spinal joints. This is simply caused by a change in pressure in the joint, as spinal movement is improved.
Some chiropractors use a hand-held instrument to adjust the spine. Others use wedges or blocks to help realign part of the body. Whatever the technique, chiropractors use skill, not force or strength, to care for people with the highest degree of safety and effectiveness.
How are chiropractors educated?
In Australia, chiropractors share a common tertiary education pathway with osteopaths and physiotherapists, and chiropractic education involves undergraduate and/or master s-level university training over five years.
All accredited chiropractic programs in Australia include units in basic and clinical sciences. Also included are units in physical therapy, physical rehabilitation, radiology, nutrition, paediatrics, geriatrics, public health and evidence-based practice.
As with other primary healthcare professions, chiropractic pre-professional training requires a significant proportion of the curriculum to be clinical subjects related to evaluating and caring for patients. As part of their professional training, final-year students are required to complete a minimum of one year of supervised clinical internship.
All registered chiropractors must complete mandatory continuing education each year to maintain registration and practice as a non-pharmacological, non-surgical spine care and musculoskeletal-allied healthcare professional.
Are chiropractors regulated?
All chiropractors must be registered with the Chiropractic Board of Australia and meet the Board’s registration standards in order to practise in Australia.
Under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law, as in force in each state and territory, a person cannot call themselves a chiropractor (or hold themselves out to be a chiropractor) or undertake manipulation of the cervical spine if they are not registered with the Chiropractic Board of Australia
