How to know when to see a chiropractor

Do I need to have symptoms to see a chiropractor? We get this question a lot. Perhaps you’ve noticed a niggling issue in an area of your body, or you haven’t been sleeping well? Here’s how to know when to see a chiropractor. 

Two men sitting at a desk looking at a laptop showing an xray of a spine.

Do I need to have symptoms to see a chiropractor?

We get this question a lot. Perhaps you’ve noticed a niggling issue in an area of your body, or you haven’t been sleeping well? Here’s how to know when to see a chiropractor.

We often hear statements such as “I have been feeling good”, meaning people haven’t noticed any pain or symptoms. Or so they think.

When we delve a little deeper, the truth comes out:

  • “Well I have noticed this ache happening a little bit”
  • “I have felt this happen, when I did this”
  • “I haven’t been sleeping the best”

The list of little niggles might continue to add up and up as we go through a thorough history.

How to know when to see a chiropractor

All those little signs that we are sometimes really great at ignoring can be a warning. Your spinal structure and nervous system are trying to adapt – and it might just need a helping hand. That’s where we come in.

As primary health practitioners, Chiropractor’s are trained in all sorts of assessment. This to ensure you’re in the right place and safe.

You might find we are a little different to other chiropractors that you’ve been to. Our main purpose is to focus on finding areas in your structure that need correcting.

This allows your body to make the changes that it needs for you to function at YOUR highest level.

How often should you see a chiropractor?

This is dependent on what we find through thorough testing. With detailed findings, we can tailor chiropractic care and recommendations to you.

You then get to decide how this fits in with your health goals and you can make informed and empowered choices! See more our blog A Reason, Season or Lifetime.

What are Chiropractic Adjustments?

Chiropractors use a range of techniques to suit you. The simple idea of it all? Well, we look for areas in the spine and body where there is a lack of proper movement. We then make gentle adjustments to allow your body to make some changes.

Now take note: these adjustments may not be where your pain is! Crazy, right? Well not really. As pain is felt in the brain sometimes the body can get confused. Especially when there are parts not moving well.

Adjustments can help your brain to know what is happening in your body, allowing better response and control. In effect, increasing the Brian-Body connection.

A chiropractor treating a woman on a chiropractor's table.

Is It Safe?

Chiropractic care has an enviable track record when compared with most other health interventions. One study showed its safer than driving a car!

Some people notice some stiffness and soreness following an adjustment. This usually resolves by itself. Serious or adverse effects are very rare and are discussed with you in the initial consult.

Our thorough testing and history taking ensures that we are being as safe and effective as we can be. We don’t like guessing when it comes to your health!

As for Kids and Chiropractic:

“In Australia, there has never been a serious adverse event reported in the literature or in insurance claims, involving the care of a child by a chiropractor. This is despite the fact that there have been an estimated 12-15 million visits by children to chiropractors in the last 20 years. The evidence of harm is low because chiropractors modify their techniques to suit the age and developmental stage of the patient across the lifespan”.

From the COAG and the Safer Care Victoria Review

Final Thoughts…

You most likely have many questions about your health and how chiropractic care might fit in. Especially if you’ve ended up here on our blog.

Our chiropractors are happy to answer any further questions you have an anytime. Give us a call, and the team can organise a time for you to have a chat. It’s time for you to be at your best.

References:

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QJM: An International Journal of Medicine, Volume 108, Issue 4, April 2015, Pages 273–277, https://doi.org/10.1093/qjmed/hcu145
Published: 29 July 2014

COMMENTARY–PUBLIC HEALTH| VOLUME 31, ISSUE 6, P461-464, JULY 01, 2008 JMPT
Adverse Events Following Chiropractic Care for Subjects With Neck or Low-Back Pain: Do The Benefits Outweigh the Risks?
Sidney M. Rubinstein, DC, PhD

Man Ther. 2010 Aug;15(4):355-63. doi: 10.1016/j.math.2009.12.006. Epub 2010 Jan 22.
Adverse events and manual therapy: a systematic review.
Carnes D1, Mars TS, Mullinger B, Froud R, Underwood M.

Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2009 May 15;34(11):E405-13. doi: 10.1097/BRS.0b013e3181a16d63.
Safety of chiropractic interventions: a systematic review.
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J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2015 Nov-Dec;38(9):677-691. doi: 10.1016/j.jmpt.2013.05.009. Epub 2013 Jun 17.
Serious Adverse Events and Spinal Manipulative Therapy of the Low Back Region: A Systematic Review of Cases.
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BMJ. 2016 May 3;353:i2139. doi: 10.1136/bmj.i2139.
Medical error-the third leading cause of death in the US.
Makary MA1, Daniel M2.

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